Dakhla Travel Guide: Kitesurfing, the Lagoon and Where to Stay
Dakhla, Morocco’s kitesurf paradise: the turquoise lagoon, the White Dune, Dragon Island, fresh oysters, the best town hotels and lagoon resorts, and tips.
Far down Morocco’s Atlantic coast, where the desert meets the ocean, Dakhla sits on a long, narrow peninsula wrapped around a turquoise lagoon. Steady winds blow almost all year, which has made it one of the best kitesurfing spots in the world. Add white sand dunes rising out of the water, fresh oysters farmed in the lagoon and huge, empty landscapes, and you have one of Morocco’s most unusual destinations.
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Dakhla at a glance
- Best for: kitesurfing, windsurfing, lagoon landscapes, seafood, digital detox
- Ideal stay: 3 to 5 nights, or a full week for a kitesurf course
- Best months: March to November for wind; mild and sunny all year
- Arrive by: plane, via Dakhla Airport, with flights from Casablanca and some European cities
Best things to do in Dakhla
- Learn to kitesurf. The lagoon’s flat, shallow water and reliable wind make it ideal for beginners, while the ocean side offers waves for experienced riders. Most lagoon hotels have their own kite schools and equipment rental.
- Walk the White Dune. At low tide, a bright white sand dune appears in the middle of the turquoise lagoon. It is reached by boat or 4×4 and is one of Dakhla’s most photographed sights.
- Visit Dragon Island. This small island in the lagoon is a favourite kitesurf spot and a beautiful place for a boat trip.
- Eat oysters. Dakhla’s lagoon oysters are famous across Morocco. Try them fresh at the oyster farms and seafood restaurants around town.
- Relax in the hot springs. Outside town, natural hot springs are a popular stop for a warm soak after a day on the water.
- Spot birds and wildlife. The lagoon is home to flamingos and many migratory birds, especially in winter.
Where to stay in Dakhla
Stay in town for good value, restaurants and easy taxis, or at a lagoon-side resort to be right on the water. Many lagoon hotels lie 15 to 30 kilometres from town and include meals, so they work best as all-in kitesurf bases.
Medina Hotel Dakhla
Great value · In town · exceptional reviews
A boutique hotel about 2.5 kilometres from the centre, rated exceptional by hundreds of guests, with breakfast included and excellent value for money.
Fyndy Hotel Dakhla
Budget · Near town · great value
A highly rated, affordable hotel about 4 kilometres from the centre, with breakfast included. Guests love its value for money.
Hôtel Calipau Riad
Mid-range · Beachfront · riad style
A riad-style guest house on the beach, about 4 kilometres from the centre, with rooms around a patio and breakfast included.
Dakhla South Bay
Upscale · Beachfront · balconies
A modern beachfront hotel from the WorldHotels Distinctive collection, about 6 kilometres from the centre, with balconies and nearly 800 excellent reviews.
La Crique Nature & Spa
Upscale · Beachfront · spa
A beachfront resort with a spa about 6 kilometres from town, with sea-view suites and half board available.
Westpoint Dakhla
Mid-range · Beachfront · meals included
A beachfront hotel about 5 kilometres from town, with garden-view family rooms and all-meals packages available.
Hotel Dakhla Club & Spa
Lagoon resort · Bungalows · spa
A long-established resort on the lagoon shore, about 26 kilometres from town, with bungalows, a spa and all meals included. A classic kitesurf base.
Lagon Energy Dakhla
Lagoon resort · Lodges · all meals
A lagoon-side camp of lodges about 28 kilometres from town, with all meals included and a great location for kitesurfing.
La Tour d’Eole
Upscale · Beachfront bungalows · top location
Private bungalows on the beach about 15 kilometres from town, with breakfast included and a location guests rate as outstanding.
Getting there and around
Dakhla is very far south, so most visitors fly. Dakhla Airport, right next to town, has flights from Casablanca and seasonal or direct flights from some European cities; compare flights on Aviasales. Overland, long-distance buses from Agadir take around 20 hours. Many lagoon resorts offer airport pickups; otherwise book a fixed-price transfer with Kiwitaxi. To explore the lagoon, the White Dune and the hot springs on your own, compare rental cars on DiscoverCars, or book boat trips and kitesurf lessons on GetYourGuide.
Do it like a Moroccan: local tips
- Bring a windbreaker. The wind that kitesurfers love can make evenings chilly, even when days are warm.
- Use strong sun protection. The combination of sun, wind and water burns fast.
- Book lessons in advance. Kite schools fill up in the busiest months, especially during European holidays.
- Carry your passport. Expect police checkpoints on the roads in the south; keep your ID handy.
- Stay connected. A Morocco eSIM from Airalo is handy, as resorts on the lagoon can be remote.
When to go
Dakhla is mild and sunny all year, with little rain. The wind is strongest and most reliable from spring to autumn, the peak season for kitesurfing. Winter brings calmer, warm days that suit beginners, families and anyone who simply wants sun.
Continue your trip with our Agadir and Taghazout travel guide or the Essaouira travel guide, or plan your route with the free Moroccanly trip planner.
Cover photo: Ulrico Zampa on Unsplash
Questions and tips
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