Explora Watersports has been running wingfoil & kitesurfing lessons in Essaouira ever since this charming fishing town became one of Morocco’s go-to kite destinations. Our centre sits right on the beach on Boulevard Mohamed V, on the Atlantic coast of Morocco. The North wind blows here for most of the year, and the bay gives you the space to practice & learn.
At a glance:
- We are an IKO-affiliated and VDWS-certified kite school located directly on the beach in Essaouira
- Kitesurfing lessons for all levels: beginner, intermediate and advanced, in group, semi-private and private formats
- Wingfoil lessons for complete beginners through to those transitioning from kitesurfing or windsurfing
- Equipment: Duotone kites and boards (Neo, Dice, Rebel, Evo, Vegas), Starboard boards, Mystic harnesses
- Kite gear rentals and lockable storage on-site; rescue boat available
- On-site facilities: showers, changing rooms, kids space, parking, kite shop, Brunch&Co café
- Accommodation available: Essaouira Surf House (riad in the medina) and Villa Talya (countryside villa near Ghazoua)
- Wind: North wind, side-onshore, most consistent from late March to late November; June to August are peak months
About our spot in Essaouira
Essaouira is a walled Atlantic port city on Morocco’s west coast. The beach in front of our centre is wide and sandy, with a large open bay that gives people plenty of room to work with, whatever their level. The wind comes in from the north, side-onshore, which pushes riders toward the beach rather than out to open water. For beginners learning to kitesurf, that matters.
The spot has waves, and that’s worth knowing before you book. Essaouira is not a flat-water kitesurf destination. There is chop and a shore break, and we start wingfoil lessons on the calmer side of the bay. Intermediate and advanced riders tend to find the conditions more engaging for exactly this reason.
Beyond the beach, the city holds its own. The medina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site: a working port labyrinth of blue-washed streets, argan oil traders and fish coming off the boats. There are good restaurants, a live music culture built around the Gnaoua festival, and a local life that carries on regardless of the tourist season.
Our kitesurfing season in Essaouira
The most reliable wind runs from late March through to the end of November. June, July and August are the peak months, with the North wind building consistently through the day. Outside that, you still get solid sessions through May and October; December throws up good wind days too.
For surfers, the calendar runs the other way. The Atlantic swell arrives from September through to April, with the bigger sets in mid-winter. If kitesurfing is the priority, late spring to early autumn is the window.
Water temperature stays cool year-round, a result of Atlantic upwelling along this stretch of coast. A 3/2mm wetsuit covers most of the season; in July and August a shorty is enough for most people.
Kitesurfing lessons we provide
We run group, semi-private and private kitesurfing lessons at all levels. Beginners start on the beach: kite theory, wind window, safety. Then it’s into the water for body dragging and, once control is solid, board work and first rides. We follow IKO methodology and work from where each student actually is, not a fixed script.
Intermediate riders can work on upwind riding, transitions and pop. Advanced students can book focused sessions on technique, freestyle or wave riding.
Wingfoil lessons are a full part of what we offer. Learning from scratch takes 5 to 7 days. Beginners start on the flat, sheltered side of the bay with an instructor in a boat close by. Semi-private and private formats move things along faster. We use Duotone wing and foil equipment throughout.
Rentals for both kitesurf and wingfoil are available by the half-day, full day or multi-day, with optional insurance.
The crew
Explora Watersports was founded by Nasser and Sara. They met in Egypt, spent time in Tarifa, and settled on Essaouira to build the school. The team is a mix of Moroccan and European instructors, all IKO-certified. The culture is open: the team joins guests for dinners in the medina regularly, and we run a traditional Moroccan dinner most Saturdays.
Our kit
We use Duotone throughout: Neo, Dice, Rebel, Evo and Vegas kites, Jamie and Team Series twin tips, wave boards and foils. Boards are Starboard, harnesses and accessories are Mystic. The on-site kite shop covers accessories and repairs. For wingfoiling, we carry a full Duotone wing and foil range from wide beginner boards to more progressive setups.
Where to stay
We offer two options. The Essaouira Surf House is a small boutique riad in the medina with private ensuite rooms and a sociable atmosphere, a short walk from the beach. Villa Talya sits near Ghazoua village, about 10 minutes from the beach by car: quieter, surrounded by countryside, better suited to those wanting space to decompress. We also work with partner riads, hotels and villas, and put together full packages covering accommodation, lessons and airport transfers.
