Sidi Kaouki: A Guide to Morocco’s Underrated Surf Town

Last Updated on 27th January 2026 by Jessie

A little insight into Sidi Kaouki: the lowdown on the surf and the village vibe, and recommendations on where to eat/sleep/etc.

Sidi Kaouki is less than a 30-minute drive south of Essaouira. Thus, it baffles me as to why the place hasn’t blown up like other surf towns in Morocco. It’s got good waves, good food, and loads of epic surf houses, yet it rarely gets a look in on most travellers’ Moroccan surf coast itinerary. 

So, whilst I’m wary of popping the lid on this sleepy little surf town, I do think it’s time it got the credit that it’s due. Don’t go getting any ideas on starting Morocco’s 7356th surf camp here, or opening your own swanky little speciality coffee store. But for those who enjoy a little space to breathe in a small coastal village, here is my guide on where to eat, surf, stay and all such nonsense in Sidi Kaouki. 

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What is Sidi Kaouki Like?

First of all, Sidi Kaouki is tiny. Like Imsouane is small, and Taghazout is finite, but in comparison to those towns, Sidi Kaouki is just a blip. There is one paved road traversing the coastline and three tiny mini markets that sell the basics.

However, despite its size, Sidi Kaouki has some of the most gorgeous holiday homes and guest houses I’ve seen in Morocco. My guess is that Sidi Kaouki has long been a beachside holiday destination for Europeans (namely, the French), though it’s managed to remain only on the radar of a select few. 

The village sits one street back from the beach, so there are loads of great accommodation options with ocean views. It’s also flat, and requires little walking – so it’s far more accessible than somewhere like Tamraght, which is a hefty mission on the legs to get anywhere. 

The main beach is a popular spot for surf schools and beginners. It spans across a long stretch with multiple banks, so there’s plenty of space to spread out. Just beside the old mausoleum, there’s a steeper, more technical break close to the rocks, suitable for experienced surfers. And for those with a car, there are several high-quality surf breaks nearby.

Whilst not as comfortable as Tamraght or Essaouira, where you can pretty much find anything your heart desires, Sidi Kaouki is well equipped with surf schools, board rental stores and just enough restaurants to keep your palate excited. 

I’d say Sidi Kaouki is an ideal spot for those who want a quieter alternative to Tamraght and Taghazout. 

What to Do in Sidi Kaouki

Sidi Kaouki is largely marketed as a surf village. And that’d be my top motivation for recommending it to friends. However, a good portion of the tourists who have visited for decades have had zero inclination for the support. So it obviously ain’t all about the surf.

I’d say the main attraction to Sidi Kaouki is the quiet coastal charm. The lack of pressure to do anything more than take long leisurely beach walks, drink coffee by the waves, and soak up the fiery west-coast sunsets. 

Horse riding is probably the second most popular activity in Sidi Kaouki. I’m always a bit iffy about the ethics of animal-related pursuits in Morocco, but the horses there seemed to be fairly well looked after. However, I haven’t looked into it too deeply, so don’t take my word for it.

Alongside horse riding tours, camel rides are a common fancy. The beaches on either side of Sidi Kaouki stretch out for kilometres. So beach trots, particularly at sunset, are a natural fit. Again, unsure of the morality. 

Sidi Kaouki and Essaouira sit on an exposed section of coastline and cop a lot of wind. Something to be mindful of for surfers and beachgoers. But for wind and kite surfers, on the other hand, the conditions are ideal. There are several stores in town renting out windsurfing gear, and a few places that offer lessons.

Surfing in Sidi Kaouki

In Sidi Kaouki itself, there’s just the one main beach to surf at. It’s a long stretch of beach breaks, suitable for beginners, with the most reliable little A-frame closest to the mausoleum – known as Marabout.

At the north end of the beach, where the bottom turns to reef, there’s a steeper, more technical break best suited to intermediate surfers. This spot is known as La Bouteille and works best on mid-tide.

Just a few kilometres north of Sidi Kaouki lies the village of Ouassane. There are two high-quality surf spots just north of here: La Grotte and La Couronne. In winter, La Grotte tends to be fairly consistent and holds big swells well. It’s a wave best left to experienced surfers; whereas La Couronne is a little mellower, and can be fun for intermediates on a smaller swell.

Whilst there are some epic holiday homes in Ouassane, there are very few places to eat. If you’ve got a car, you can hop between the two towns in a few minutes. But if you’re sans vehicle, I recommend hiring a surf guide to show you the ropes initially. Once you’re clued in, you can catch a taxi from Sidi Kaouki

For a more detailed analysis of Sidi Kaouki’s surf spots, check out Surf Atlas.

For beginners, I’m a big advocate of booking a surf camp. From my anecdotal evidence, I’d say you’re ten times more likely to get in the water (and subsequently improve your surfing) if you’ve got someone taking care of the logistics for you. Check out some of the camps on offer at BookSurfCamps.com.

Where to Eat in Sidi Kaouki

There are only a dozen or so restaurants in Sidi Kaouki, yet they manage to tick all the boxes. I’ve shared my top recommendations in this post – Where to Eat in Sidi Kaouki. But here’s the crème de la crème:

• Best cheap eats: Chez Abdoullah
• Best mid-range: Bam Kaouki
• Best dinner: Chez L’Arbi
• Best for a sunset beer: Sidi Kaouki Surf Station

Where to Stay in Sidi Kaouki

I have shared all my top recommendations on the best guest houses for solo travellers, couples and groups in this post – Where to Stay in Sidi Kaouki. But for a quick overview, here are a handful of the hot hits:

• Best hostel: Dar Iziki or Thayri Hostel
• Best surf camp: Smaylo Surf School or Ibi Surf School 
• Best guest house: Dar Afoulky or Little Beach House
• Best luxury stay: Dav Mahal or Dar Gecko

How to Get to Sidi Kaouki

Sidi Kaouki is just 22km south of Essaouira. There are no direct bus lines from other cities or surf towns, so most often you will need to head to Essaouira and then make your way from there. 

A private taxi from Essaouira to Sidi Kaouki costs between 100dh-150dh (€10-15). A collective taxi from Station de Grand Taxis costs 15dh (€1.50) per person. However, it may take a while for the taxi to fill up with enough people to make the trip. 

Local bus ‘Lima’ line 2 runs between Bab Doukkala and Sidi Kaouki. Tickets cost 8dh (€0.80). See the Lima website for the bus timetable. 

For a detailed guide on all the transport options from Essaouira, Marrakech, Agadir and the surf villages in between, see How to Get to Sidi Kaouki. 

Things to Note

ATMs
There are no ATMs in Sidi Kaouki. The closest is in Essaouira. Or Taghazout/Tamraght if coming from that direction. All restaurants take cash only, so make sure you have plenty to last your stay.

Alcohol
There are a few restaurants that sell beer and wine, but you cannot buy takeaway alcohol in Sidi Kaouki. The closest liquor stores are in Essaouira or Agadir. 

For more village insights, see:

• Tamraght Guide
• Taghazout Guide
• Imsouane Guide
• Mirleft Guide
• Aourir Guide

For more Maroc info and a little less of my own opinions, I’ve created a travel wisdom-sharing hub over on Reddit. Join the group here.