Water Sports
If you are a water-sports enthusiast, it is important to understand where the wind and wave conditions are best for each sport. In Essaouira Bay and farther south to Sidi Kaouki, you will most often find kitesurfing. When the wind gets going, windsurfers come out in Essaouira and to the north at Moulay Bouzerktoun. Only beginner surfers attempt anything around Essaouira; the best breaks for experienced surfers are much farther south, between Imssouane and Agadir.
Ion Club - Ocean Vagabond. This joint venture with Ocean Vagabond is the biggest outfit in town. It prides itself on the quality of its equipment and its multidisciplinary and multilingual instruction. Factor this into the cost of courses, which are pricier than elsewhere along the bay: two hours of kitesurfing instruction costs 825 DH in a group, while a private lesson is double that price. The more experienced can rent everything they need to explore the coast: boards, a kit, and even roof racks. Plage, at southern end of beach, Quartier des Dunes, Essaouira, Marrakech-Tensift-Al Haouz. 0524/78–39–34; www.oceanvagabond.com.
Explora. A professional Moroccan-English company offers a wide range of water sports with qualified instruction at prices considerably cheaper than the nearest competition. The company can also arrange your accommodation and many other outdoor activities such as horseback riding, quad-biking, camel treks, and mountain biking. Kitesurfing lessons start at 660 DH for two hours. The company has its activity base on the southern end of the beach (at Avenue Mohammed V near junction with Route d'Agadir) and also a supplies shop in the medina. 12, av. Istiqlal, Medina, Essaouira, Marrakech-Tensift-Al Haouz. 0611/47–51–88; explorawatersports.com.
Magic Fun. After 10 years on the Essaouira seafront, Magic Fun has moved to a base farther north at Moulay Bouzerktoun. Here, the multilingual owner specializes in windsurfing and paddleboarding while his wife runs a café with sheltered views of the sea. Because of the wind conditions here, they don't cater to beginners, but concentrate instead on improving skills. They can pick you up for no extra charge from Essaouira, and offer a lounge area and basic rooms for those who don't want to travel back the same day. Moulay Bouzerktoun, Essaouira, Marrakech-Tensift-Al Haouz. 0661/10–37–77; www.magicfunafrika.com.
