Swimming: Islands and Beaches of Dakhla, Morocco

There are hundreds of kilometres of deserted beaches to discover from North to South Dakhla! Start by taking a swim or kitesurfing trip out to sea.

Where and when to swim in Dakhla?

Take a stroll along Pointe du Dragon: the area is known the world over for its famous Dakhla Attitude water sports base. Further south, don’t miss Puertito beach, a beautiful stretch of white sand, and Puerto Rico beach, ideal for a Saharan bivouac. Dolphins and sea turtles! On the ocean side, discover Foum el Bouir, the surfers’ beach.

When to swim in Dakhla | The water temperature in Dakhla in August is cool. Swimming in Dakhla in August is possible, but the sea water is cool. So if the sea temperature drops to 21.7°C, it can drop to 18.8°C! Note that the average is 20°C.

Why visit Dakhla?

Its advantages include a large lagoon of turquoise water, waves, wind, traditions and a microclimate, all of which make Dakhla one of the most exceptional places in the world for water sports.

Formerly known as “Villa Cisneros”, Dakhla is now one of themost popular tourist sites in this part of Morocco. It’s hard to remain indifferent in front of its splendour, so spoiled is it by Mother Nature with its exceptional animals and hundreds of kilometres of beaches. Vast stretches of fine sand, clear , gentle waters or big crashing waves, fresh, salty breezes, etc. There are also deserted beaches not to be missed.

Flat water beaches

La Dune Blanche

La dune blanche is a beach formed by a mound of fine white sand. It’s a dream destination for water sports enthusiasts. With its waves and panoramic views, it promises an incredible view. The sun is always shining.

Duna blanca is the closest beach to the town of Dakhla, so you can take full advantage of some of the best kitesurfing spots in the world. Aficionados of the sport will be delighted. But if you’re new to the sport, this is the place to start. Be aware, however, that this beach has to be earned, as the road leading to it is not signposted. It is therefore advisable to opt for a 4×4 to get there.

Note that the Dune Blanche is not really a beach where you can swim. Rather, it is an astonishing geological formation where you can refocus on the beauty of nature. At low tide, thousands of crabs and migratory birds gather here.

The beach at Île du Dragon or Île Herné

Nestling between the Atlantic Ocean and the Sahara Desert, Île Herné conjures up the image of a dragon, slumbering on a flat stomach in the middle of Dakhla Bay. It is a mysterious island whose beauty surpasses the imagination. At low tide, it can be reached on foot, and at high tide, it is surrounded by a vast expanse of turquoise water. You can take advantage of this to take a trip on a catamaran, boat or kayak. Endless swimming is also a must, as is sunbathing to soak up the sun. The little ones will have fun collecting shells. By the way, the shoreline of this magnificent island is covered in sand.

Plan a getaway with your family or a group of friends.

Beaches overlooking the ocean and the waves

The Dakhla lagoon

“Dakhla Lagoon” is a surfer’s paradise. This beach is the result of the unlikely meeting of the ocean and the desert. It’s also the ideal place for a lazy holiday. The programme includes sunbathing, lounging and watching pink flamingos and migratory mammals .

As its name suggests, the Dakhla lagoon is formed by a large expanse of wildly-behaved seawater. The water is therefore fairly deep, but the wind is calm. In other words, a magnetic and bewitching place. As for the road, it is designed for high-performance cars such as 4x4s.

Lassarga beach

Lassarga is a fishing village to the south of Dakhla. It is one of the best sites for kitesurfing. The environment is calm and authentic, offering holidaymakers unforgettable experiences. For a sea breeze and cultural immersion, this small village is the place to be.

A variety of universal and Moroccan dishes are served in its small restaurants. What’s more, the inns are truly comfortable and splendid. To make the most of this gem, we recommend you go between October and March. During this period, the waves are good for surfing.

Legzira beach

Legzira is a wild Moroccan beach nestling in the rural commune of Tioughza. It enjoys a favourable reputation among fans of wild beaches. It’s a secluded beach with natural clay arches and red sand.

Ideal for couples, families, fishing enthusiasts, quad-bikers and geologists (the beach is covered by a rocky area), Legzira is unfortunately not a bathing pool. The wind blows very hard and the waves are 2 or even 3 metres high.

This phenomenon can be explained by the icy currents. Moreover, the water temperature never exceeds 21°C. What’s more, Legzira beach has very few facilities. There are no parasols, showers or other luxury facilities for mass tourism. However, this lack of facilities is not a barrier to lovers of the seascape. And if you can get there by car, the real seaside walks are on foot.

The beach in Puerto Rico

Porto Rico de Dakhla refers to a wild, multi-faceted beach. Located in the south of Morocco, it has captured the hearts of many visitors with its white sand and crystal-clear waters. To escape the grey winter weather, some travellers go there in the middle of winter to swim, sunbathe or watch migratory birds.

Indeed, Puerto Rico is rich in nature reserves. This allows it to spoil its admirers during their stay. No wonder this beach is one of the most visited in Morocco.

To put it simply, Dakhla is one of the pearls of Western Sahara thanks to its tourist attractions, particularly its heavenly beaches.

« Known « as ‘the King’s private beach », it was closed to the public for a long time. Today, it’s a natural treasure to be explored. » Source: Petit Futé

The idyllic beach of Aarich

Like Lassarga, Aarich is also a fishing village. It’s the ideal place to go surfing, especially if you’re just starting out.

In Aarich, visitors can see blue fishing boats all day long. This small coastal village is a great place to take your best Moroccan photos.

» The spot is one of 6 fishing camps where hundreds of men work 10 months of the year. On the beach, a large number of boats are waiting to set sail again. Usually after 3pm the fishermen return and a continuous ballet of boats passes close to the wave (which admittedly makes it very choppy and therefore less beautiful to surf). If you have a 4×4 and a competent driver, you can drive straight down to the beach. If not, park on the cliff and walk down the sandy track (5 mins) ». Source : Surf Report

Foum Labouir beach

Near the town of Dakhla, there are several kilometres of beaches with breaking waves. At the start of the waves, the break is fast and then, in the middle of the course, it becomes progressive. This progression allows surfers to develop their skills rapidly.

Dakhla is definitely one of the best spots for surfing, with breathtaking scenery.

Laayoune, 500 km north of Dakhla