Dakhla

Dakhla is a kitesurfing paradise, view from Dakhla Attitude © DR

Once a simple fishing post, this coastal city in the Sahara has undergone a metamorphosis. Between golden dunes and turquoise lagoons, Dakhla is now establishing itself as one of the best kitesurfing spots in the world. The destination also offers many other experiences for travelers seeking relaxation and discovery.

Gate to the Desert, Window onto the Atlantic

1,500 km south of Casablanca, Dakhla juts out like a needle of sand between the ocean and the Sahara. Long a stopover on caravan routes and a fishing post, the city has maintained its calm demeanor, bathed in a clear light. Life unfolds to the rhythm of the lagoon, a vast emerald blue expanse, sheltered from the swells of the Atlantic.

Capital of the Wind

The lagoon has become a must-visit destination for riders from all over the world. It hosts one of the official stages of the GKA Kite-Surf World Cup, the HRH Prince Moulay El Hassan Championship. Regular trade winds and calm, shallow waters invite kitesurfing. On the ocean side, the west-facing beaches offer beautiful right-breaking waves for surfing and strapless riding when the swell picks up. There are many surf and kitesurf schools, and the atmosphere is simple and passionate.

Nature on a Grand Scale

The Dune Blanche (White Dune) emerges in the middle of the lagoon like a crescent of sand fallen from the sky. At high tide, it becomes an exhilarating natural slide. Further south, the Dragon Island (Hrara) cuts out its fantastic silhouette and invites a boat trip. The nature is sumptuous, but the ecosystem remains fragile, inhabited by rich marine fauna (dolphins, flamingos, sometimes turtles) and salt-tolerant flora. To grasp all its richness, the Dakhla Rovers, passionate naturalist guides, offer observation outings and introductions to the coastal ecology and its biodiversity.

You can also surf on the Atlantic side at Westpoint © DR

Kitesurfing and surfing schools provide the equipment
© DR Westpoint

Flavors of the Bay

In Dakhla, the sea dictates the menu: high-quality fish, octopus, murex (sea snails), and of course, oysters. Daily catches set the pace for the market and the local eateries, which offer delicious tagines or grilled dishes by the water. At the oyster farms, you can simply enjoy fresh oysters opened on the spot, served with lemon wedges and sometimes a drizzle of argan oil. More surprising, the TalhaMar restaurant offers a delicious specialty: oysters cooked in camel fat, a highly appreciated recipe in Dakhla.

The City, a Slow Pleasure

After a kitesurfing session, head to Dakhla’s charming town center. It lives on a slower schedule: when the light fades, it wakes up. The souk comes alive, flooded with saffron and dates, alfa baskets, finely carved silver jewelry, and melhfa (a large traditional fabric that Sahrawi women wrap around their bodies and heads). Bargaining is done with a smile, and important purchases are sealed over a cup of tea. Dakhla has not lost its caravan soul! In the evening, the Corniche lights up, families stroll, and the lagoon becomes a mirror. The hours tick by unnoticed. The night is gentle there.

The Sahrawi Experience

At the “Sahrawi village”, desert hospitality is experienced under the khaïma (traditional tent) around a tea prepared in the Hassani manner (Sahrawi culture), to the sound of a tidinit (a four-stringed lute). And the possibilities for soaking up the charm of the desert are numerous: horseback riding on the pale yellow beaches at sunrise, camel treks in the neighboring dunes, and 4×4 excursions to secret spots. And for a change of atmosphere, a catamaran trip on the lagoon reveals other pleasures: light breeze, flapping sail, and water like lacquer as far as the eye can see. Dakhla is not just a board sports destination: it’s a way of life cradled by the wind and silence, between the Atlantic and the Sahara, adrenaline and contemplation. You come to ride, you leave with sparkling eyes and the desire to return.

Good to Know

• All equipment (kite, paddle, board, wetsuits) is easily rented on-site, including lessons and coaching. • Riders can transport their own board free of charge with Royal Air Maroc

Dakhla, Open-Air Gallery

In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Green March, Abdellah Oustad, director of the Marrakech Photography Encounters (RPM), chose Dakhla to host the fifth edition of this festival. A special edition punctuated by meetings and workshops, marked by the holding of the Moroccan Talents Peace Prize. The cornice, facades, and several squares of the city host this open-air photographic exhibition, bringing together personal memories of some of the 350,000 marchers as well as family archives. “We have made Dakhla an open-air museum where everyone becomes a transmitter of images” says Abdellah Oustad.