For more details about individual destinations throughout Morocco, please visit the Destinations page.
Stretching right down the western reaches of Morocco, through the Saharan provinces as far as the border of Mauritania, is the wild Atlantic Ocean. With it come miles and miles of glorious beaches, rocky coves, tranquil lagoons, fascinating ports, modern cities and historic medinas. For SheherazadVentures and those travelling with us on their Moroccan adventure holiday, the Atlantic Coast of Morocco encompasses the 1,000 kilometre stretch of coastline from Sidi Ifni in the south as far north as Tangier, at the mouth of the Mediterranean Sea. Morocco’s economic and industrial hub, Casablanca, and the capital city where the King is resident, Rabat, are also located on the Atlantic Coast. Throughout history, the control of the coast was essential for local tribes and dynasties against the waves of invading foreign forces – Phoenicians, Romans, Portuguese, Spanish and French. The architecture of the coastal medinas is living testament to the legacy of these fierce battles and their victors. Sultans, pirates, fishermen, warriors and Mother Nature herself, have all shaped this infinitely varied landscape. Key destinations plotted south to north along our Atlantic Coast itineraries are Sidi Ifni, Mirleft, Souss Massa National Park, Agadir, Taghazout, Essaouira, Safi, Oualidia, El Jadida, Casablanca, Rabat, Asilah and finally Tangier. At Larache, just south of Asilah, we recommend a detour inland to visit the fascinating archaeological ruins of Lixus – once a trading post for gold, ivory and slaves dating back to the Phoenicians in 1000BC and linked through legend to the Greek god Hercules. Some say that the golden apples that Hercules was charged with collecting here were in fact Moroccan tangerines!
The main tourist hubs for a seaside beach holiday in the Atlantic Coast are Agadir and Essaouira, with plenty of golden sands and a wide range of accommodation. For surfing enthusiasts, then the coastline between Agadir and Essaouira is a highlight, with Taghazout being the most popular hangout. From here also excursions inland to the lush ‘Paradise Valley’ are recommended. For those seeking a more tranquil seaside town, then the lagoon of Oualidia is perfect with boating trips onto the lagoon and great local oysters being a special feature. South of the resort town of Agadir, there are gorgeous hidden beaches with fishermen’s caves and also the wetland nature reserve of Souss Massa National Park where we can arrange overnight stays in charming boutique guesthouses or short guided visits to spot some of the many species of birdlife that enjoy this habitat. Mirleft is a sleepy town where you can gaze into the sunset from the poolside of our luxury guesthouse as well as visit the magnificent beach of Legzira with its wind-eroded rock arches extending into the ocean like organic flying buttresses. Fishing, surfing, water sports, yoga, trekking, horse riding, camel trekking, quad biking, windsurfing, kitesurfing, golf, spas treatments and so many other add-on activities can be combined with our adventure tours via the Atlantic Coast of Morocco. We can also offer different packages to suit families as this region of Morocco has so much to offer and these can be combined with our Imperial Cities tours, Northern Morocco and Rif tours, Sahara Desert tours, Atlas Mountains tours or simply just kick back and explore the ebb and flow of Morocco’s Atlantic Coast on its own terms.
Click here for some of our Atlantic Coast of Morocco tour suggestions.