Swimming in Essaouira: beach life and swimming pools

Follow Explore Essaouira on Instagram

You can swim in the sea at Essaouira, but be warned, the water temperatures are rather cold as this is the Atlantic Ocean. There is no public swimming pool in Essaouira, but there are hotel pools that you can access on a day pass.

The sea is a huge part of life in Essaouira. Fisherman have been working in these waters for centuries and over recent decades, a strong surf community has formed. Essaouira’s main beach in particular is a beautiful setting and no visit to Essaouira is complete without a stroll along the main beach or, even better, a dip in the Atlantic Ocean.

Here we chat about what to expect when swimming in the sea in Essaouira, and for those visitors who would rather swim in a swimming pool, we also share the various options. Unfortunately, there is no public swimming pool in Essaouira and no plans for one to be built.

And if you’re wondering what to wear when swimming in Essaouira, you are absolutely fine in a swim suit or bikini. We do suggest leaving the thong bikini at home though if you are lounging on the beach. And once you step away from the beach, it’s respectful to at least put on a t-shirt and shorts. Essaouira medina, or even the corniche, is not really the place to be walking around in swim wear out of respect for local customs.

Can you swim in the sea in Essaouira?

Yes, you can swim in the sea in Essaouira. At the main beach that runs south of the medina, the water is clean, the sea floor is sandy and mostly free from rocks, and there are often waves, which is why Essaouira is a popular surfing destination. Indeed, Essaouira is a fantastic place to learn to surf or even kitesurf.

But do remember, this is the Atlantic Ocean not the Mediterranean, so water temperatures are rather on the chilly side. The bar chart below shows the average monthly sea temperatures at Essaouira beach over the year.

As you can see, September and October are the months when the sea is at it’s warmest. Indeed, this coincides with the best time of year to visit Essaouira, as there are fewer tourists and the infamous winds have subsided.

However, please stick to the main beach for swimming. The sea directly in front of the medina, north of the fishing port, is very rocky with dangerous currents, making it unsafe for swimming. Swimming is also possible to the beach north of town, Asafi Beach, but the currents here are unpredictable and few people visit here.

At peak times there are lifeguards at the main beach. Swimmers tend to stay to the medina-end of the main beach as this is where the sunbeds are located and the waves are calmer.

The other end of the main beach, where the camels hang next to Beach & Friends, is popular with surfers. It’s best to avoid this end of the beach for swimming to keep out of the way of the surfers. On windy days that end of the beach can be packed with kite-surfers, and the flying (and falling) kites can be unnerving for passers-by.

And for those visiting Essaouira with young kids, you’ll be pleased to hear that the waves are generally not too rough to play in and the gentle gradient as you enter the sea forms a large shallow area for safe play.

Is there a public swimming pool?

Unfortunately, there is no public swimming pool in Essaouira. However, there is a semi-Olympic, covered swimming pool in the early stages of construction. We’re not sure when this will be completed, but will update as soon as we have more information.

Where can I access a swimming pool?

If your Essaouira hotel doesn’t have a swimming pool, there are a handful of hotels that offer day passes to use their pool for the day, often with lunch included.

Click here for details of the Essaouira hotels that offer day passes for a fee. These include:

• Les Jardins de Villa Maroc – DH320 per person (lunch included)
• Hôtel Domaine de L’Arganeraie – DH100 per person (lunch not included)
• Jardin des Douars – DH200 per person (lunch not included, but compulsory)
• Villa beldi – DH150 per person (lunch not included)
• Le Medina Thalassa Sea & Spa – DH250 per person (lunch not included)
• Heure Bleue Palais – DH450 per person (lunch included)

The last two listed above are closest to Essaouira medina, opposite to the beach.

None of the above offer a 25 metre lap pool for training. These are swimming pools geared to tourists to enjoy a quick dip and cool off from the heat.

However, Villa beldi or Hôtel Domaine de L’Arganeraie probably offers the best shape/size of pool if you are looking to swim laps.

Final thoughts on swimming in Essaouira

Essaouira is increasingly being thought of as a wellness destination; a place to unwind, relax and reconnect with oneself. For me personally, swimming is a huge part of that, and a morning dip in the Atlantic Ocean at sunrise is a pretty spectacular way to start the day before heading to an Essaouira coworking space for breakfast and to work. Although really, a swim at any time of the day is wonderful in Essaouira.

It would be nice if there was a lap pool in Essaouira open to the public, but the day passes offered at a handful of luxury hotels are an excellent option, especially if you fancy a day lounging by a pool with a good book, with the occasional dip to cool off. You do have to pay, but these day passes are also an excellent way to escape the main beach on windy days or the crowds in the summer months of July and August.

Happy swimming!

If you have found this website useful for planning your Essaouira adventures, you can show your support by buying Jenny a coffee. Thanks so much!