Yes, Morocco has great beaches: more than 3,500 km of coast on the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. For calm water and swimming, head to the Mediterranean coves near Al Hoceima, Saidia or the Oualidia lagoon. For surfing, go to Taghazout, Imsouane, Safi or Essaouira, and for kitesurfing, Dakhla in the far south.
Below are 33 of the best beaches in Morocco, grouped by coast, with what each one is best for. You will also find the best beaches for swimming, the closest beaches to Marrakech and when to go.
Best Beaches in Morocco at a Glance
| Beach | Coast | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Cala Iris (Al Hoceima) | Mediterranean | Calm, clear water for swimming |
| Saidia (Berkane) | Mediterranean | Long sandy resort beach, families |
| Tetouan coast (M’diq, Martil, Cabo Negro) | Mediterranean | Summer beach towns |
| Kabila | Mediterranean | Calm turquoise water and a marina |
| Plage Dalia (near Tangier) | Mediterranean | Golden sand near Tangier |
| Paradise Beach (Asilah) | Atlantic | Wild sand near a whitewashed town |
| Oualidia | Atlantic | Calm lagoon, oysters, families |
| Safi | Atlantic | A famous right-hand point break for experienced surfers |
| Essaouira | Atlantic | Kitesurfing, windsurfing, a historic medina |
| Taghazout | Atlantic | Surfing for every level |
| Imsouane | Atlantic | Long, gentle waves for beginners |
| Agadir | Atlantic | Resort beach and promenade |
| Legzira (Sidi Ifni) | Atlantic | Red cliffs and a natural rock arch |
| Dakhla | Atlantic, far south | Kitesurfing in a lagoon |
The Mediterranean Coast
The north coast has warmer, calmer water than the Atlantic, with coves backed by the Rif Mountains. It is busiest in July and August, when Moroccan families come for the summer.
El Jebha (Chefchaouen Province)
A small port town known for clean, quiet beaches. Some sit right below the mountains, and others curve around the bay.
Belyounech
A small beach village beside a natural harbor, with clear blue water and a pebble shore. Worth a stop if you are driving the north coast.
Bades Beach (Al Hoceima)
One of the most popular beaches around Al Hoceima, loved by campers and travelers who like a bit of adventure.
Playa Quemado (Al Hoceima)
A favorite with Moroccan families, with clear water, yellow sand and a Spanish influence you can still feel in the town.
Cala Iris (Al Hoceima)
A sheltered bay facing small islands, and one of the safest beaches in Morocco for swimming. Visitors often rent small boats to see the islands.
Sfiha Beach (Al Hoceima)
One of the wild beaches around Al Hoceima, with clear water and views of small islands just offshore. Quieter than the town beaches outside the summer peak.
Playa Tcharrana (Nador)
Known for crystal blue water and a local feel. If a fisherman is coming in, you can often buy fresh fish straight from the boat.
Saidia (Berkane)
Nicknamed the Blue Pearl for its turquoise water, Saidia has a long sandy beach and a modern resort area near the Algerian border.
Tetouan Coast (M’diq, Martil, Cabo Negro)
The coast near Tetouan has golden sand, clear water and mountains behind it, with small towns full of cafes, markets and summer life.
Kabila Beach (between M’diq and Fnideq)
One of the most upscale stretches of the Mediterranean coast, with fine sand, calm turquoise water and a marina lined with cafes and holiday homes. It is a summer favorite for Moroccan families.
Tamernout Plage (Tetouan)
A quieter beach on the Tetouan coast, with supermarkets, bakeries and restaurants close by, which makes it easy for families.
Oued Laou
A quiet fishing village on the coast between Tetouan and Chefchaouen, where the Laou river meets the sea. Its long beach and slow pace make it a good escape from the busier resorts.
Plage Dalia (near Tangier)
One of the prettiest beaches in the north, with clean water and golden sand on the Strait of Gibraltar. It gets crowded in summer, so arrive early.
Tangier Beaches
Tangier sits where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic, with city beaches lined by cafes. See our guide to the best things to do in Tangier.
Ksar Sghir
A small town on the Strait of Gibraltar east of Tangier, with a sandy bay facing Spain and the ruins of a Moroccan-Portuguese fortress right by the beach.
The Atlantic Coast
The Atlantic side is wilder, windier and cooler, with long sandy beaches, lagoons and some of the best surf in Africa.
Paradise Beach (Asilah)
A wide, wild beach about 7 km south of the whitewashed town of Asilah, with simple beach cafes serving fried fish and tagines. It gets very busy in July and August, so it is at its best in late spring and early autumn.
Moulay Bousselham
A quiet lagoon beach north of Rabat and one of Morocco’s most important places for birdwatching.
Sablettes Beach (Mohammedia)
The best-known beach in Mohammedia, a small city on the coast between Casablanca and Rabat, with soft sand and long waves for surfing.
Ain Diab (Casablanca)
Casablanca’s seafront, with a long beach, beach clubs and a corniche for evening walks, not far from the Hassan II Mosque. A good way to start or end a trip that flies through Casablanca. See the best things to do in Casablanca.
Sidi Bouzid (El Jadida)
A popular family beach just south of El Jadida, whose Portuguese City of Mazagan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sunsets over the ocean here are a local favorite.
Oualidia
A calm blue lagoon protected from the ocean, which makes it one of the gentlest places to swim on the Atlantic. It is also known for fresh oysters.
Safi
A working port city between Oualidia and Essaouira, famous among surfers for one of the best right-hand point breaks in Morocco. In a big northwest swell, the wave breaks in long, hollow barrels that are best left to experienced surfers. The beaches around the city are quieter on calm days.
Essaouira Beach
A wide, windy beach next to a well-preserved 18th century medina full of shops and galleries. The wind makes it a top spot for kitesurfing and windsurfing. Essaouira is the coastal stop on our 14 day itinerary. Read our Essaouira guide.
Sidi Kaouki
A small village about 25 km south of Essaouira with a huge sandy beach. Strong, steady winds make it a well-known spot for kitesurfing and windsurfing, and the waves suit surfers in winter. An easy add-on to an Essaouira stay.
Imsouane
A small fishing village north of Agadir, where mountains drop down to the sea. Its long, gentle wave in the bay is a favorite with beginners and longboarders.
Taghazout
A traditional fishing village north of Agadir that has become Morocco’s best-known surf village, with surf schools, cafes and yoga. Compare the two in Taghazout vs Imsouane.
Agadir Beach
One of the best-known beaches in Morocco: a long sandy bay with a seafront promenade, resort hotels and a marina. Good for long walks and easy beach days. See our guide to Agadir.
Legzira (Sidi Ifni)
A long beach backed by red cliffs and a natural rock arch you can walk through at low tide.
Aftas Beach (Mirleft)
A soft sand cove framed by rocky cliffs in the small town of Mirleft, near Legzira. Popular with families, with simple cafes and loungers to rent.
Plage Blanche
A long, wild white sand beach between Agadir and Tan-Tan, inside a protected natural area, popular for surfing and 4×4 trips.
The Far South: Dakhla
Dakhla sits on a peninsula where the desert meets the Atlantic, and its calm lagoon makes it one of the best kitesurfing spots in the world.
The White Dune
A striking white sand dune at the edge of the Dakhla lagoon, where the Sahara meets the sea.
Dragon Island
A sandbar island in the Dakhla lagoon, reached by boat, with clear water and quiet beaches.
Dakhla 25 km Beach
A golden sand beach about 25 km north of Dakhla, popular for water sports.
Best Beaches in Morocco for Swimming
For calm water, the Mediterranean is the better choice. Cala Iris, Playa Quemado, Saidia and the Tetouan coast usually have gentler conditions than the Atlantic. On the Atlantic side, the Oualidia lagoon is the calmest place to swim. Atlantic beaches such as Essaouira, Taghazout and Plage Blanche are better for surfing than swimming, because of the wind, waves and currents. Always follow local flags and lifeguard advice.
Beaches Near Marrakech
Marrakech is inland, so it has no beach of its own. The closest beach towns are Essaouira and Agadir, and either one can be added to a trip that starts or ends in Marrakech. Essaouira is the easier choice for a short stay, with its walled medina, seafood and wide windy beach.
Beaches for Families
The calmest options for children are Saidia, Kabila, the Tetouan coast and Tamernout on the Mediterranean, and the Oualidia lagoon and Sidi Bouzid on the Atlantic. Agadir is easy too, with a long flat beach, a promenade and many hotels.
When to Go to the Beach in Morocco
July and August are peak beach season, with the warmest sea on the Mediterranean and the busiest beaches. June and September are calmer and still warm. On the Atlantic, the wind and swell are stronger from autumn to spring, which surfers love. See the best time to visit Morocco for the weather month by month.
For where to stay, compare the best beach cities for a summer vacation in Morocco.
Best Beaches in Morocco FAQ
Yes. Morocco has more than 3,500 km of coast on the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, from calm coves in the north to surf beaches and the Dakhla lagoon in the south.
The Mediterranean beaches, such as Cala Iris, Saidia and the Tetouan coast, usually have the calmest water. On the Atlantic, the Oualidia lagoon is the gentlest.
No, Marrakech is inland. The nearest beach towns are Essaouira and Agadir.
Yes, on tourist beaches and at hotel pools. On smaller local beaches, a cover-up between the water and the town is the respectful choice. Read our guide to what to wear in Morocco.
The Mediterranean is warmer and calmer for swimming. The Atlantic is better for surfing, wind sports and long sandy beaches.
From June to September, with July and August the warmest and busiest.
Add the Coast to Your Morocco Trip
Most travelers come for the cities and the Sahara first, then finish on the coast. Our two week itinerary ends in Essaouira, and on a custom private tour we can add nights in Agadir, Taghazout or Oualidia. Compare every route in our Morocco itinerary planner.
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