Questions riders ask
What wind do you need to kitesurf in Essaouira?
This report calls an hour kiteable when the modelled mean wind at 10 m is between 12 and 30 knots, the gusts stay at or below 45 knots and a gust factor of 2.1, the direction is not offshore for that spot, and it is daylight. The right minimum for you depends on your weight, kite size and board, so 12 knots is our threshold, not a universal rule.
When is the windiest time of year in Essaouira?
July is the windiest month in ERA5 reanalysis data for 2015–2024: a daytime average (11:00–18:00 Moroccan clock time of the period, ≈ 10:00–17:00 on today's UTC+0 clock) of 14.0 knots, with 75% of days averaging 12 knots or more. August (13.0 kn, 64%), June (12.8 kn, 57%) and May (12.7 kn, 56%) follow. December is the calmest (8.0 kn, 21%). From April to September the wind comes overwhelmingly from the north: the summer trade wind, or alizé. ERA5 is a coarse grid of about 25–30 km that smooths local effects, so beach winds are often stronger. Use these numbers to compare months, not as a promise.
Which wind directions are offshore in Essaouira?
Essaouira bay faces west-north-west (about 290°), so we treat winds from 50° – 170° (roughly NE round through E to S) as offshore or side-offshore. The usual north wind is roughly side-shore there. Sidi Kaouki faces further south (about 255°), so 15° – 135° counts as offshore; at Moulay Bouzerktoun (west-facing, about 270°) the sector is 30° – 150°. Never kite alone in offshore wind.
How cold is the sea in Essaouira?
Cool all year. Offshore sea surface temperature in the Open-Meteo marine model (2022–2024 monthly means) ranges from about 17 °C in February–March to about 19–20 °C in September–October. A full wetsuit is advised: we recommend a 4/3 mm in winter and spring and a 3/2 mm in summer.
Is Moulay Bouzerktoun suitable for beginners?
No. Moulay Bouzerktoun, about 25 km north of Essaouira, is a wave spot with strong wind, rocks and currents. It is for experienced riders only, whatever the kiteable verdict says.
What are the emergency numbers in Morocco?
19 for the police in cities, 177 for the Gendarmerie Royale outside cities, and 15 for ambulance and fire (Protection Civile).
Sources
- Open-Meteo Forecast API: live wind speed, gusts, direction, air temperature, sunrise and sunset.
- Open-Meteo Marine API: wave height and period, sea surface temperature, modelled sea level (tide).
- Open-Meteo Historical Weather API: ERA5 reanalysis (Copernicus/ECMWF), 2015–2024, for the monthly wind statistics.
- OpenStreetMap: coastline data (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), for the beach orientation of each spot.