Experience
Dakhla
An Atlantic peninsula in southern Morocco, known for its lagoon and steady winds, now a leading kitesurfing destination.
Dakhla sits on a peninsula some forty kilometres long that closes off a shallow lagoon, between the Atlantic and the desert. That shape gives a flat, warm, sheltered stretch of water, while the ocean stays open and powerful on the far side of the sand spit.
The town was founded in 1884 as Villa Cisneros and has carried its present name since 1976. It is now the seat of the Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab region and the leading fishing port of the southern coast.
The trade winds blow for much of the year, at their strongest between spring and late summer: that is what made the lagoon's name among kitesurfers and windsurfers, beginners and experts alike.
Dakhla is a long way from anywhere by road: about 1,100 kilometres south of Agadir. Dakhla airport connects it to Casablanca and Agadir on domestic flights, which is the simplest way to arrive.
What there is to see
The lagoon
Flat, sheltered water, a kitesurfing and windsurfing spot all year round.
Dragon Island
A rocky islet in the middle of the lagoon, reachable at low tide.
The white dune
A dune set on the edge of the lagoon, a good thirty kilometres south of town.
Asmaa hot springs
Natural hot water, developed some ten kilometres from town.
Oyster farms
Oyster beds in the lagoon; tasting on site.
Imlili sebkha
A salt depression to the south, dotted with water pockets holding endemic wildlife.
When to go
All year: the coast stays temperate, around 20 to 26 °C by day. April to September for the steadiest wind, winter for calmer conditions.
Dakhla: frequently asked questions
How do you get to Dakhla?
By air, on domestic flights from Casablanca and Agadir. By road, allow about 1,100 kilometres from Agadir on the coastal highway, or two comfortable days of driving.
Do you need to kitesurf to come to Dakhla?
No. The lagoon is shallow over large areas and sheltered, which makes it a well-known place to learn; the schools there teach beginners. There is also the desert, the hot springs and the birdlife.
When is the wind best?
April to September, when the trade winds are steadiest. The rest of the year remains workable, with calmer days and fewer people.
