Morocco · ESSAOUIRA TOURS

The 15 Best Essaouira Tours & Day Trips

85 tours  ·  from $14

Essaouira has wind, ramparts and a fleet of blue boats, and it is a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Marrakech. The 15 below cover the day trips, the surf and kite lessons and the quad runs on the big dunes south of town.

From Marrakech: Essaouira & Atlantic Coast Full-Day Trip - Pickup in Marrakech and the long Atlantic road
1-Day Tours, Essaouira Tours, Full-Day, Tour Reviews

From Marrakech: Essaouira & Atlantic Coast Full-Day Trip

1.Essaouira & Atlantic Coast Full-Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 1,100 reviews · 10 hours · from $27Our pick

Travel from Marrakech to Essaouira by air-conditioned minibus, stopping for coffee, coastal views, argan oil, and possibly tree-climbing goats. Explore the medina, port, ramparts, and beach with free time, then return to Marrakech. Drivers such as Younes, Said, and Abderrahman are often praised for friendly local insight.

“Beautiful daytrip. Driver Hossain Ford was on time and was very kind and helpfull during the drive.”

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Big dunes and atlantic coast tour 2 HOURS - From Borj Al Baroud to the Atlantic dunes
2-Hour Experiences, Essaouira Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Big dunes and atlantic coast tour 2 HOURS

2.Big dunes and atlantic coast tour 2 HOURS

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 439 reviews · from $60Top rated

You’ll ride a 125cc Yamaha Grizzly from Palma Quad through Essaouira’s dune fields toward Borj Al Baroud, Oued Ksob, Sultan’s Palace ruins, and Atlantic viewpoints. A guide handles navigation and photos, while helmet, jacket, gloves, scarf, water, and chocolate are included.

“Experience fabuleuse, guide parfait, décor magnifique, securite au top,prix raisonnable, a recommander +++”

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Essaouira: Surf Lessons - Finding Olasurf near Hotel Al Jazira
Essaouira Tours, Tour Reviews, Workshops

Essaouira: Surf Lessons

3.Surf Lessons

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 412 reviews · 2 hours · from $28

Meet Olasurf Essaouira near Hotel Al Jazira for a two-hour lesson with an instructor such as Ismail, Tahir, or Zakaria. You’ll warm up on the beach, learn board and safety basics, practice standing, then work on real waves with equipment, lockers, and a hot shower included.

“We had so much fun!! After about an hour of trying surfing for the first time, we actually managed to stand on the board – woop woop! 😄 Huge thanks for the great teaching skills – couldn’t have done it without you!”

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3 hours ride on camel at sunset - Diabat village and the ruins near the coast
3-Hour Experiences, Camel Rides, Camel Rides in Essaouira, Essaouira Tours, Evening Experiences, Tour Reviews

3 hours ride on camel at sunset

4.3 hours ride on camel at sunset

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 326 reviews · from $52

Join Mostafa, Lima, or Abdoul for a three-hour dromedary ride from Essaouira. Expect beach views, eucalyptus forest, Diabat village, ancient ruins, Cap Sim dunes, mint tea, homemade snacks, and sunset photos. Small groups are capped at 10 people, with English or French guiding.

“Our tour guide was Mostafa. He is a wonderful person and extremely dedicated to his job. At his advice, we started our trip 30-minutes ahead of schedule. At the meeting point he found me before I finished writing my message. Midway in ouRead more”

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Essaouira Sand Dunes: Half Day Quad Bike Tour - Meeting at Ola Energy on Boulevard Mohammed 5
Cycling Tours, Essaouira Tours, Quad Bikes, Tour Reviews, Tours

Essaouira Sand Dunes: Half Day Quad Bike Tour

5.Essaouira Sand Dunes: Half Day Quad Bike Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 313 reviews · 3 hours · from $79

Join a small-group quad tour from Essaouira’s Ola Energy station and ride across Oued Ksob, past Sultan’s Palace ruins, along Diabat beach, and through Atlantic sand dunes. You get a safety lesson, clean riding gear, water, snacks, and photos from guides such as Nourdine, Sofiene, and Sufyan.

“5 stars. This was absolutely fantastic and one of, if not the best activity we did in our Morocco trip (Marrakech and Essaouira). Safety was taken seriously and we were provided gear, unlike other tours/groups we saw (no helmet, gloves etc). The centre is clean and professional and staff are fantastic. Not to mention the dunes - he realised our level quickly and adapted and took us on some fantastic routes - didn't feel too short or too long. We also got some cracking pictures afterwards that were included too. Would absolutely recommend!!”

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Essaouira Activities: Discover Essaouira by Quad - Choosing the Right Time for the Coast
Essaouira Tours, Tour Reviews

Essaouira Activities: Discover Essaouira by Quad

6.Essaouira Activities: Discover Essaouira by Quad

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 274 reviews · from $46

From Diabat, you’ll explore Essaouira’s wild Atlantic shore and nearby dunes by horse or dromedary camel. Choose an earlier outing or late-afternoon ride for sunset, with an Arabic, English, or French-speaking guide. Pickup is offered, and your private group returns to the meeting point.

“What an excellent experience! The tour operator was very kind to us. We had issues with transportation to the tour site and he helped arrange a taxi ride for us at the last minute. Kids had a great time…highly recommend this company for your Essaouira camel ride experience.”

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From Essaouira: 1-Hour Horse Ride - Meeting the horses and choosing your pace
1-Hour Experiences, Essaouira Tours, Horses, Tour Reviews

From Essaouira: 1-Hour Horse Ride

7.1-Hour Horse Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 243 reviews · 1 hour · from $38

Meet near Bab Marrakech and ride from Ranch de Diabat through dunes, forest, and the beach south of Essaouira. Guides such as Khalid, Hassan, and Hassim adjust the pace for beginners and experienced riders, with cantering possible on the sand when conditions and ability allow.

“The activity was amazing, the view watched while riding a horse is special and incomparable. The guide was really nice and clear teaching me how to ride the horse. It’s 100% worthy! I fully recommend it. And Essaouira is a really beautiful place too.”

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Big Cap Sim dunes and forest 3 hours tour. - The safety briefing and 125cc Yamaha Grizzly
3-Hour Experiences, Essaouira Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Big Cap Sim dunes and forest 3 hours tour.

8.Big Cap Sim dunes and forest 3 hours tour.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 241 reviews · from $74

Join Palma Quad near Essaouira’s beach for a private three-hour ride through Cape Sim’s forest, dunes, and shoreline. You’ll use a 125cc Yamaha Grizzly, with a helmet, gloves, scarf, jacket, water, snacks, and free activity photos included. Morning and afternoon departures are available.

“The whole trip from start to finish was perfect. A well organised and professional excursion. You’re given gloves, a shirt, helmet and scarf for that professional look : ) We covered around 43km through forest, over dunes and along the beach tRead more”

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Essaouira: Sqala du Port, Medina Ramparts & Fish Market Tour - The Medina: white walls, blue shutters, and useful orientation
Essaouira Tours, Markets, Medina & Souk Walks, Shopping Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Essaouira: Sqala du Port, Medina Ramparts & Fish Market Tour

9.Sqala du Port, Medina Ramparts & Fish Market Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 212 reviews · 3 hours · from $22Best value

Walk Essaouira with a local guide such as Aziz or Zaid, visiting the Medina, Mellah, Sqala du Port, fish market, and artisan workshops. Expect clear English or French, local stories, ocean views, and time to browse thuya wood and silver crafts. Hotel pickup may be available, depending on your booking option.

“We had a very nice tour with Abdelaziz, he was an excellent guide who really loves Essaouira and was very welcoming and helpful with our group! We are very thankful for our tour experience!”

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Kitesurfing Lessons in Essaouira Beach - The sand lesson is not a wasted lesson
Essaouira Tours, Tour Reviews, Workshops

Kitesurfing Lessons in Essaouira Beach

10.Kitesurfing Lessons in Essaouira Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 206 reviews · from $69

Meet Explora Watersports on Essaouira Beach for a two-hour kitesurfing introduction or progression lesson. Qualified instructors, including Mehdi, tailor the session to your level. Beginners learn kite control on the sand, while experienced kiters can work on water starts, waves, or new tricks.

“This was a fun experience and what better place to do it than Essaouira, the wind. We took a two hour lesson, basically an intro to the sport. Our instructors were great and we felt very well educated. We did not get in the water, stayed in the sand getting a grasp on the kite. You definitely need more than a one days lesson before you get in the water.”

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Essaouira Tours, Surf Lessons, Surf Lessons in Essaouira, Tour Reviews, Workshops

Surf Lesson in Essaouira

11.Surf Lesson in Essaouira

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 179 reviews · from $34

Meet Explora Watersports on Essaouira’s Boulevard Mohamed V for a two-hour beginner surf lesson. Instructors such as Abdul and Anis teach balance, wave choice, posture, and the pop to your feet. Wetsuits and boards are provided, with groups capped at six.

“Excellent surfing lesson. We were all beginners and the instructors worked hard for the whole time and were very good with helping us to get going. The weather was perfect for us; the morning was quieter but afternoon was also fine. The water felt very safe. If we came again we wouldn’t hesitate to go to Explora again.”

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Group Kitesurfing lesson with a Local in Essaouira Morocco - The first lesson: wind, equipment, and safety
Essaouira Tours, Tour Reviews, Workshops

Group Kitesurfing lesson with a Local in Essaouira Morocco

12.Group Kitesurfing lesson with a Local in Essaouira Morocco

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 175 reviews · from $64

Start with wind theory, equipment setup, and safety, then practise kite control, launching, landing, body dragging, relaunching, and board riding. Essaouira Watersports works with beginners in small groups, with instructors including Mehdi, Wassim, and Otman. The two-hour lesson returns to the centre.

“I would definitely recomed it! It was really great experience. The instructor was super nice and helpfull. One of the must have things to do in Essaouira!”

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Private 2-Hour Quad Ride on Forest and Dunes from Essaouira - Forest paths with room to adjust the pace
2-Hour Experiences, Essaouira Tours, Private, Tour Reviews

Private 2-Hour Quad Ride on Forest and Dunes from Essaouira

13.Private 2-Hour Quad Ride on Forest and Dunes from Essaouira

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 168 reviews · from $55

Ride a private quad from Essaouira to Diabat, across forest paths, broad beach, and tall dunes. Your guide provides a helmet, driving test, and route support, adjusting the pace for beginners and experienced riders. Hotel pickup and return transport are included.

“Anwar was amazing, showed me a lot and was super friendly. A great quad tour company. Highly recommended”

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Surf Lesson with local surfer in Essaouira Morocco - Getting your first waves under instruction
Essaouira Tours, Surf Lessons, Surf Lessons in Essaouira, Tour Reviews, Workshops

Surf Lesson with local surfer in Essaouira Morocco

14.Surf Lesson with local surfer in Essaouira Morocco

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 166 reviews · from $33

Meet Essaouira Watersports at 10 Av. Princesse Lalla Amina for a two-hour beginner lesson near the beach. You’ll warm up, learn the take-off, use included equipment, and practice in the water with instructors such as Ayoub, Wassim, Anas, or Rachid. Pickup, showers, and photos are included.

“Une super équipe vous prend en charge. Vous pouvez y aller les yeux fermés ! Bonne ambiance, conviviale, pro....”

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Essaouira: HOW TO BE A REAL MOROCCAN CHEF - From market ingredients to the kitchen
Essaouira Tours, Tour Reviews

Essaouira: HOW TO BE A REAL MOROCCAN CHEF

15.HOW TO BE A REAL MOROCCAN CHEF

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 154 reviews · 3 hours · from $45

Join local chef Abdou in his home near Essaouira’s Medina for a three-hour, hands-on Moroccan cooking class. Choose a tagine, prepare it from scratch, learn spice and tea traditions, enjoy pastries and music, then eat what you made. English and French instruction, with groups capped at 10.

“We would highly recommend this activity. ABDOU, our chef /guide, is warm, kind, and speaks fluent English as well as other languages. He welcomes you into his home, and together we learn how to cook Moroccan tagines. Cutting and layering the tagine in a traditional manner. Beautiful sweets are served with tea whilst the tagine cooks. We wished to buy a traditional tagine, and Abdou recommended a few shops to buy at non-touristy prices. When all were shut, he so very kindly delivered one to our hotel. One of the best experiences we have had in Morocco. Thank you, Abdou.”

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New in Essaouira Tours

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