Surf in Essaouira
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (104 reviews)
Essaouira has good waves, wide open beaches, and a pace of life that’s hard to leave behind.
If you’ve been thinking about learning to surf, Essaouira is a solid place to start. Our lessons are relaxed but structured – you’ll be guided by a local instructor who’s spent years reading these waves, so you’re in good hands from day one. Whether you’re a complete beginner or you’ve got a few sessions under your belt, we’ll meet you where you are and help you progress at your own pace. And beyond the fun of it, surfing in Essaouira genuinely does good things – for your balance, your strength, and your mood.
Surf lessons
PRIVATE LESSON
It’s all about you. Some might call it royal treatment – we call it focused, one-on-one coaching. Fast progress guaranteed.
Prices
| 2 hours | 58€ |
| 4 hours | 110€ |
| 6 hours | 160€ |
| 8 hours | 200€ |
| 10 hours | 240€ |
| 12 hours | 280€ |
GROUP LESSON
You’re here for a good time with your friends – or friends you’ve yet to meet. Small groups (max 8) and unlimited good vibes.
Prices
| 2 hours | 27€ |
| 4 hours | 54€ |
| 6 hours | 80€ |
| 8 hours | 100€ |
| 10 hours | 120€ |
| 12 hours | 140€ |
A little bit of info
Surf FAQs
Yes – and the beach itself is a big part of why. Essaouira is a sandy bottom break with no reef or rocks, so when you fall (and everyone does), the landing is forgiving. The shoreline is wide and the water deepens gradually, which gives beginners plenty of time and space to find their feet. Add a local instructor who knows this stretch of Atlantic coast inside out, and you’ve got a pretty solid setup for your first time on a board. Find out more about surfing safely in Essaouira →
Honestly, yes and no. Your first few attempts will feel awkward – that’s just part of it. But catching your first wave, even a small one, tends to happen sooner than most people expect. The basics are learnable in a single session, and that’s usually enough to get you hooked. Like most things, it gets easier the more time you spend in the water. The key is starting with the right guidance, in the right conditions – which is exactly what we focus on in our surf lessons in Essaouira.
The good news is that you can surf in Essaouira pretty much year-round. The Atlantic keeps things consistent – but if you’re looking for the sweet spot, autumn and winter bring the most reliable swell, making it a favourite time for those looking to progress. Spring and summer are mellower, with smaller waves that are actually ideal for beginners. Whatever time of year you’re visiting, there’s something in the water for you.
Not at all – you don’t need to be in any particular shape to try surfing for the first time. That said, it is a physical activity, and you’ll probably feel muscles you forgot you had the next day. Paddling works your arms, shoulders and back, while popping up and balancing on the board engages your core. Most beginners are surprised by how much of a workout it is – in the best possible way. The more you surf, the fitter you get, which is one of the reasons people find it so addictive.
It depends on the person – and that’s a genuine answer, not a cop-out. Some people are paddling and catching waves confidently after three or four lessons, others take a little longer, and that’s completely fine. What lessons give you isn’t just technique – it’s an understanding of the ocean, how waves work, and how to stay safe. That foundation is what makes you a confident, independent surfer in the long run. We’ll always be honest with you about where you’re at and what we think your next step should be.
Keep it simple – a swimsuit, a towel, sunscreen, and happy vibes. We’ll take care of everything else, including the board and wetsuit. Just show up ready to have a good time.
Yes – everything you need is included. We provide a surfboard, wetsuit and a qualified local instructor. Just bring yourself (and that towel and sunscreen).
We teach on the main Essaouira beach – a long, open stretch of Atlantic coastline that’s well suited for beginners. Depending on the waves on the day, we might move up or down the beach to find the best spot for your session. Your instructor will always know where to go.
Surfing is for everyone – honestly. We welcome kids from around 6 years old, and there’s no upper age limit as long as you’re mobile and up for it. Our qualified local instructor will be in the water with your child every step of the way, so you can relax and enjoy watching them have the time of their life. The most important thing isn’t age, it’s attitude. If you want to give it a go, we’ll make it work.
Our standard lesson is 2 hours, with a break in the middle to rest and regroup. In our experience, that’s the sweet spot – long enough to make real progress, short enough to keep your energy and focus up. If you’re keen to do more in a day, we’d recommend taking a proper break of a few hours between sessions rather than pushing through. Your body will thank you, and you’ll actually surf better for it.
Technically yes – but we’d gently talk you out of it. We’ve met plenty of people who spent time in the water on their own before coming to us, and almost all of them said the same thing afterwards: they wished they’d started with a lesson. It’s not just about learning faster – proper guidance helps you build good habits from the start, understand the ocean, and stay safe. It makes the whole experience better. And more fun.
Yes – we usually have our van set up right on the beach every day in Essaouira.
We recommend getting in touch with us in advance so we can confirm availability, prepare the right equipment, and make sure everything runs smoothly for your session.
You can book or message us via WhatsApp: +370 615 87472 or through our website form.
This helps us keep lessons small, well-organised and personal for each student.
Packages
We understand that booking a surfing holiday is a big deal! If you want your experience to be stress-free, we can help you to organise everything from A to Z. Every package is tailored for your needs and can include the below services:
- Surf lessons (private or group)
- Kitesurf lessons (private, semi-private or group)
- Accommodation (hotel, riad or apartment)
- Airport transfers
- Other activities (horse riding, yoga, camel riding, quad biking etc)
Words from happy customers
EXCELLENTTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Very nice experience! We enjoyed the surf and the welcoming from the owner of the school. We recommend it !Posted on GoogleTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The best school for me to learn kite surf, thank you very much, and thank you, Karim is also one of the best instructors, see you next time, thank you very much ❤️😁Posted on GoogleTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The clue is in their name, Karim and Neringa are truly wonderful and happy hosts! I learnt so much in my first session with them and felt so supported, can’t wait to have more Kite Surf lessons in the autumn!! True professionals, thank you so much for making my trip to Essaouira that extra bit special!!Posted on GoogleTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. La mia prima esperienza su un surf è stata veramente fantastica anche grazie al simpaticissimo e super professionale Karim. Se andate ad Essaouira troverete facilmente il furgone della Happy Kite parcheggiato sul lungomare. Lo consiglio!!!Posted on GoogleTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. تجربة ممتازة مع Happy Kite! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ بصراحة استمتعت كثير بالتجربة، الطاقم محترم جدًا ومتعاون، والشرح كان واضح والتعامل راقٍ من البداية للنهاية. الخدمة كانت ممتازة والتنظيم كذلك في المستوى، وحسّيت براحة وثقة طوال التجربة. أنصح أي شخص باغي يجرب السورف أو الكايت سورف فالصويرة يتعامل معهم 👌😍Posted on GoogleTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Une expérience exceptionnelle ! Un immense merci à Karim et à sa femme pour leur accueil, leur gentillesse et leur bonne humeur. Karim est un professeur passionné, très patient, qui prend le temps d'expliquer et d'accompagner chacun sans jamais compter son temps. J'avais une vraie peur de la chute au début, mais grâce à sa pédagogie, sa patience et sa capacité à mettre en confiance, j'ai progressivement réussi à me sentir à l'aise dans l'eau et à prendre du plaisir à surfer. C'est une expérience que je n'oublierai pas. Je recommande cette école à 100 % à tous ceux qui souhaitent découvrir ou progresser en surf. Merci encore à tous les deux pour ces merveilleux moments !Posted on GoogleTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had a great surf session with Karim!! He is very welcoming and adapted the session to my skills. While surfing he took some videos of me to show me individual tips, which was very helpful and I progressed a lot during the session! Would definitely come back to Karim for surfing in Essaouira!! Thanks for the easy communication as well, I felt comfortable from the beginning to the end!!Posted on GoogleTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Très bon service A recommenderPosted on GoogleTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. J’ai adoré mes cours de kite à Essaouira ! Karim est vraiment top : super patient, toujours pédagogue et a l’écoute de tous tes besoins et questions. On progresse sans stress, avec le sourire. J’ai été chaleureusement accueilli par Karim et Neringa, qui ont su s’adapter au vent et à mon emploi du temps. Tous les deux adorables, ils ont meme traversé la plage pour aller me chercher un pansement en plein milieu d’un cours. Franchement, une équipe en or, une ambiance détendue, et des sessions de kite qui donnent juste envie de revenir. Je recommande à fond !Posted on GoogleTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Coming back to Happy Kite was the best decision we could have made. After a bad surfing experience somewhere else, my daughter and I had completely lost our confidence in the ocean and the waves. I knew that if we wanted to enjoy surfing again, it had to be with Karim and Neringa. And I was right. Karim guided us with incredible patience, kindness, and respect. Without ever putting any pressure on us, he helped us slowly leave our fear behind and rediscover the joy of being in the ocean. Not only did we regain our confidence, but we also rediscovered our excitement for surfing. It was a truly beautiful experience that we will always remember. Thank you, Karim and Neringa, for your professionalism and for making us feel so safe. I recommend Happy Kite wholeheartedly, and we’ll definitely be back very soon! ❤️ Volver a Happy Kite ha sido la mejor decisión. Después de una mala experiencia haciendo surf en otro lugar, mi hija y yo habíamos perdido completamente la confianza en el mar y en las olas. Sabía que, si queríamos volver a disfrutar del surf, tenía que ser con Karim y Neringa. Y no me equivoqué. Karim nos acompañó con una paciencia, un cariño y un respeto increíbles. Sin ninguna presión, consiguió que poco a poco dejáramos atrás el miedo y volviéramos a disfrutar del mar. No solo hemos recuperado la confianza, sino también la ilusión por seguir surfeando. Ha sido una experiencia preciosa que recordaremos siempre. Gracias, Karim y Neringa, por vuestra profesionalidad y por hacer que nos sintiéramos tan seguras. Recomiendo Happy Kite con los ojos cerrados. ¡Volveremos muy pronto! ❤️Verified by TrustindexTrustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more
Book your lesson
Whether you’re ready to book a lesson or just have a question or two, we’re here for you. Fill out the form and let the adventure begin!