Morocco ยท North Africa
Each location is refreshed once every three hours. The hourly view, 7-day forecast, luck factor and packing notes come from the same stored update.
We compare the 7-day forecast with the version-matched historical observations available for the same time of year at Sidi Kaouki. The delta shows whether conditions look better, worse or about the same as a typical late July.
We score each day of the 7-day forecast using the same algorithm as the leaderboard, and highlight the highest scorer.
Open-Meteo's Marine API (swell height, period, water temperature) and Weather API (wind and conditions).
Not much swell but keen eyes will find something to ride. Short-period chop. The waves lack any real push. Breezy. Some surface chop to deal with. Best conditions early morning before the sea breeze arrives.
PeakWave scores are planning signals, not safety clearance. Check local authorities, official bulletins and on-site conditions before you go. Read our editorial policy.
Sidi Kaouki is a vast, highly exposed beach break located south of Essaouira on the central coast of Morocco. The bathymetry relies entirely on mobile silica sandbanks that shift continuously under the influence of strong Atlantic currents and tidal fluctuations. Because the coastline faces directly north-west, it acts as a primary receptor for raw, deep-water groundswells, capturing significant wave energy. An easterly offshore wind is essential to groom the inherently choppy wave faces and hold up the steep sections. The wave mechanics produce fast, punchy A-frame peaks that offer rapid take-offs and carveable left and right-hand walls. Due to the high volume of water moving across the shallow sandbars, the wave generates substantial hydraulic force and creates powerful, shifting rip currents. The intense pace of the wave requires rapid pop-ups and immediate speed generation. Therefore, Sidi Kaouki is best suited for intermediate to advanced surfers who can confidently negotiate powerful beach break conditions, heavy impact zones, and the frequently windy coastal environment.
Heads up: jellyfish: peak season, and rip risk elevated.
Indicators derived from forecast data, not official warnings. Always check local lifeguard or official advice.
The air here is 60% cleaner than the average comparison city right now.
Noticeably cleaner air than a typical city. Good conditions for prolonged outdoor activity.
Not a pollutant. Ozone is naturally higher at altitude and near the coast, and lower in cities where traffic exhaust breaks it down. High readings here typically indicate clean air. Can cause short-term airway irritation during intense exercise but is not linked to the long-term health risks of particulate pollution.
Additive health score: each pollutant contributes points relative to its WHO 2021 guideline and long-term health impact (PM2.5 9, NOโ 5, Oโ 3, PM10 2, SOโ 1 at WHO limits). Data via Open-Meteo. City markers show live readings. Red line marks the WHO guideline. Updated 15:00
Moderate water clarity: ~3m visibility
Daily scores over the last 12 months at Sidi Kaouki
Historical quality only. Safety is not reconstructed for this view.
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Create Profile โPartly. The model uses stored spot geometry, swell ranges and tide preferences where configured. It cannot see changing banks, crowds, access, closures or everything visible on a local cam, so treat it as a starting point.
The best week for surf at Sidi Kaouki is the week of 16 November (score 3/5) with low crowds.
This guide was generated from conditions data. Know this spot? Submit your own tips below.
Sidi Kaouki is an exposed beach break 25km south of Essaouira on Morocco's Atlantic coast. A long, wide beach faces west into the ocean, producing consistent waves with more power than Essaouira's sheltered town beach. A small village sits behind the beach with guesthouses and cafes. It is a popular alternative to Essaouira, offering better waves in a quieter, more laid-back setting.
Picks up any westerly Atlantic swell. A south-easterly wind is offshore. Trade winds (north-easterly) are sideshore and build through the day. Works on all tides. Consistent year-round. The 3-6ft range is ideal. Mornings tend to be calmest before the wind picks up.
Multiple peaks across the long beach. The section near the village is most popular. Walking south reveals emptier peaks. The sandy bottom shifts but banks are generally well-formed.
Wind is the main challenge. Trade winds can make conditions messy by mid-morning. Sandy bottom keeps consequences low. Some rip current activity on bigger days. Sun exposure is strong.
Park in the village. Direct beach access. Basic facilities (cafes, guesthouses). The village is small and peaceful.
Moderate. Surf camps bring groups from Essaouira. The beach is large enough to spread out. Dawn sessions are quietest. Growing in popularity but still relaxed.
Surf early before the wind builds. Sidi Kaouki offers more consistent surf than Essaouira with a mellower village atmosphere. The guesthouses are good value. Camel rides on the beach at sunset are a tourist cliche but genuinely enjoyable. If the wind is too strong for surfing, the kitesurfing conditions are excellent.
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Combining historical conditions with school holiday crowd pressure to find the sweet spot.
The timing score combines two signals: historical conditions quality (how good the skiing or surfing typically is in a given week, based on 5 years of weather data) and crowd pressure (how many of this destination's feeder markets have school holidays that week).
Crowd pressure is weighted by each feeder country's share of visitors. If 40% of a resort's visitors come from France and France is on holiday, that contributes 0.40 to the crowd pressure score. Crowds can reduce the timing score by up to 35%, ensuring conditions still matter most.
Scores: 5 = great conditions with low crowds (the sweet spot). 4 = great conditions with moderate crowds, or good conditions with low crowds. 3 = average. 2 = below average conditions or very crowded. 1 = poor conditions or peak holiday chaos.
Last 30 days of logged conditions.
Based on historical weekly averages
Conditions at Sidi Kaouki tend to be best between 07:00 to 10:00 in July.
Average score during this window: 35/100
See timing scores, school holiday busyness, and lift pass pricing to find the best time to book.
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