Remote Beaches of Morocco

There’s nothing quite like lying on a deserted beach listening to the waves and looking up at the stars. Whether you plan to get active or you are looking to unwind and to get away from it all, Morocco’s beaches can provide an enclave of privacy that has you surrounded by wild natural beauty .

We love off the beaten track beaches some of which are accessible in less than four hours from Casablanca or Marrakech, others can form part of a more intrepid adventure. Many of the beach areas popularly talked about are on the Atlantic coast, but there are some beautiful beaches you can take in as part of a Northern Morocco tour, in particular those in and around Al Hoecima, such as Tcharrana beach, you can read our blog on Northern beaches here, or contact us directly if you’d like to know more – there is just too much to say in one feature!

Epic can offer a combination of low-key luxury stays, characterful guest houses and even wild camping– the more remote you get the more off-beat the accommodation options tend to get also.

Rmilatee Beach, near Asilah

We’re focussing on the Atlantic coast here, and where we start is the little Spanish influenced town of Asilah in the North. Asilah is a favourite for visitors who enjoy the annual mural painting festival there, Asilah beach is popular, but there is another more secluded beach Rmilate, just a few kilometers away, down a narrow rocky road, like a piece of Cornwall in Morocco, it’s more rocky and wild but still beautiful and quiet– perfect for relaxing long walks and a picnic of local Ibero-Moroccan specialities.

Oualidia and around

One of our favourite wild beach towns within easy access of Marrakech or Casablanca is Oualidia. It’s easily doable as part of a shorter trip, and there are opportunities to pop into both Safi the local pottery town or El Jadida a historic Portuguese port with a notable fifteenth century Fortress.

The coastal road to Oualidia from El Jadida is a pretty drive. In spring you can often find little red squash stalls dotted along the roadside which break up the journey with their sudden flashes of colour.

Oualidia itself is a small fishing town, famous for its Oystery, and features a lagoon which is protected from the elements by a long sweeping sandbank. In the wetland there, birds like to wash and fish and you might even catch sight of a flamingo or two.

The beach itself is soft, sandy, long and practically deserted, you can scour the rock-pools like the locals do hunting for urchins, or just amble along feeling the sand under your feet and paddling in the sea.

Our favourite epic stay nearby is a low key luxury beach cottage at the foot of the Cap Beddouza cliffs, it’s just 25 minutes away from the centre of Oualidia. It has its own beach which can be accessed through a garden of palms, olive trees, cacti and mimosa. For lunch or dinner, you can choose from delicious seafood platters or Lobster fresh from the ocean, or take a chilled glass of wine to one of the outdoor jacuzzi pools near a waterfall – pure bliss.

Essaouira and Sidi Kaouki

The most popular short break beach retreat for those staying a few days in Marrakech tends to be Essaouira, a Medina town just 3.5 hours from the Red City, and its quieter sister surf town Sidi Kaouki. Both places offer surf and sport opportunities and you can’t beat the crimson sunsets.

The more wild-at-heart can enjoy a horse-riding trail or trek with camels along the coast which can be planned for an afternoon for a few days. There’s nothing like the sight of the horses galloping in the shallows at sunset to make your feel what it’s like to be free.

By taking a different route on hoof or foot, you can discover deserted beaches and isolated Berber villages away from the main drag through forests of eucalyptus, mimosa and argan trees and rolling sand dunes. We can see why Jimi Hendrix once chose this location as his apace for creative inspiration.

Souss Masa National Park

When you get to the more southern coastline of Morocco beyond Agadir you start to get further away from the main tourist tracks. You can stay in the wild unspoilt Souss National Park which is situated just beneath Agadir and extends south to Sidi Ifni. The park is a haven for the world’s many endangered bird species, you can see Ibis, Marbled Ducks, Spoonbills and Red-Necked Nightjars to name a few. It is also home to Dorcas Gazelles and Oryx – a breeding programme for Saharan Ostrich is also underway. Epic can organise photographic and wildlife tours in the park.

Mirleft and around

Mirleft is known by some as the California of Morocco, because of it’s laid back boho artistic vibe. You might even discover the local ‘pub’ down the backstreets a popular meeting place for a ‘pint’. There is a local beach called ‘Plage Sauvage’ where the surfers hang out – you can take surf lessons here and it’s a pretty friendly hangout. We recommend taking an evening barbeque on the beach with cumin seasoned Sardines to relax at the end of a days surfing escapades.

You can also take hikes down the coast or donkey safaris to discover local villages and Argan forests, or go fishing with the locals and enjoy a myriad of different ocean views.

Aftas beach is a secluded getaway within easy reach of Mirleft, where The Cafe Des Pecheurs serves fresh fish on the menu and tagines to order. On a clear night, the cove is lit by the moonlight, paired with the sound of the waves from the Atlantic ocean and starry skies, the setting can feel quite romantic.

Sidi Ouafi

For a fuller review of the beaches around Mirlift including those even more off the beaten track, you can read more in our Southern beaches blog here

Exploring this part of the coastline also takes you to Tiznet and Sidi Ifni, where you can enjoy exploring the artisanship of the local silversmiths or even try making something yourself.

Legzira beach at Sidi Ifni is a good spot for photographs, because of it’s gigantic thousand-year-old rock archway formed from years of erosion.

The Desert Beaches

For a spot that really delivers on wild – the more intrepid traveller could visit the White-Beach or Plage Blanche near Guelmim, way south of Agadir and not far from Tan Tan. It’s at the heart of an ecological park and reaching it takes you through Saharan sand dunes, ancient kasbahs and lush oases, but when you get there you can enjoy a 40 km stretch of white sand with very few signs of human habitation. A guide is essential so perhaps it’s something to consider as part of a bigger desert experience. While you are down there you could also check out Oued Chebekia beach.

Dakhla – Kite Surfing Paradise

Perhaps the furthest South of the beaches we visit is Dakhla which has become a hip hang out for the kitesurf crowd. It’s windy of course like the Canaries which are also a great kitesurf destination. But the sand is soft and white and you can find sheltered spaces to enjoy lunch and some solitude. We love Ocean Vagabond’s beach bungalows, and we can’t wait to try their upgraded Spa. And although it’s far, you can fly to Dakhla if you don’t fancy the long drive from Marrakech or Casablanca.

For more information on the wild beaches of the Atlantic coast as part of a short city break or longer tour, or beaches you can take in as part of a Northern trip to Tanger and around contact info@epic.travel