2h surfing in uncrowded spots

Essaouira’s main beach can be windy and busy, but this two-hour surf lesson takes you to a quieter beach where you have room to learn. After pickup in town, you choose a board and wetsuit, warm up on the sand, practise standing, then head into the water with an instructor nearby.

I like the small instructor groups, limited to four people per instructor, and the patient teaching style. I also like that the price of $32.22 includes transport, equipment, snacks, and drinks. The main consideration is that two hours can pass quickly, especially if you are nervous or completely new to surfing.

Key points

• Quiet beach south of Essaouira: You practise away from the crowds and have more space to repeat the basics.
• Beginner-friendly instruction: The lesson covers warm-up exercises, board position, and how to stand before you enter the water.
• Maximum of four people per instructor: You receive more direct help than in a large surf class.
• Equipment and pickup included: Boards, wetsuits, transport from Essaouira, snacks, and drinks are part of the price.
• Photos may be provided: Instructors have taken photos and videos and sent them later by WhatsApp.
• Flexible timing advice: An instructor may suggest a better time based on the tide, rather than simply using the hour you first request.

A quieter beach than Essaouira’s main shore

The best reason to book this activity is the change of setting. Instead of learning in the middle of Essaouira’s main beach area, you are driven to a quieter sandy beach, often south of town. Several participants described the shore as nearly empty, with one person noting that only a kite surfer and his child were nearby.

That matters when you are learning. You can fall, reset your board, and try again without worrying about bumping into other surfers. You also avoid the self-conscious feeling that comes with trying to stand for the first time in front of a busy beach crowd.

The beach is described as sandy and suitable for beginners, with no rocks in sight in at least one outing. Still, sea conditions can change, and this is not a guarantee that every session will feel identical. The provider also states that the activity depends on good weather, so the final beach and timing may be influenced by conditions.

The drive is part of the practical appeal. Pickup is offered from a hotel in Essaouira, while the stated meeting point is on Rue Mohamed El Qorry. At the end, you return to the meeting point. That saves you from arranging a taxi or carrying a surfboard across town.

How the two-hour lesson works

The session begins after pickup, with a drive to the chosen surf spot. Once you arrive, you put on the provided wetsuit. You should bring a swimsuit to wear underneath it, which makes changing easier and more comfortable.

The first part takes place on the beach. You warm up, get familiar with the board, and work through the basic movements needed to stand. This dry practice is not filler. It gives you a chance to understand foot placement and body position before waves add speed and confusion.

The instructor also explains safety points and offers tips on how to handle the board. For a first lesson, this step is especially useful. You have enough time to ask questions and repeat the movement without being pushed straight into the water.

Once the group has covered the basics, you enter the sea. The instructor stays with you in the water and helps you apply the beach practice to real waves. The teaching approach appears to be hands-on rather than a quick demonstration followed by a long period of being left alone.

That personal help is one of the strongest features of this outing. Simo is repeatedly described as patient, and Momo is praised for explaining techniques clearly and offering steady support. Afil and Adil are also named as helpful instructors, while Salah is described as welcoming and attentive.

Your result will depend on your balance, confidence, and the day’s conditions. Some beginners stand within minutes. Others need nearly the whole two hours. The instruction is built to support both types of learner, rather than assuming everyone progresses at the same speed.

Why a four-person instructor limit matters

Surf lessons can lose much of their value when one instructor must watch a large crowd. Here, the stated limit is four people per instructor. That gives the instructor a better chance to correct your stance, help you choose a wave, and notice when you need a pause.

Small numbers also work well for mixed groups. One group of three friends had different skill levels, and the instructor adjusted the session rather than giving everyone the same advice. Another family outing included a nine-year-old, who enjoyed a sandy beach and beginner-friendly waves with a parent.

This does not mean you receive a private one-to-one lesson every time. The activity is private for your own group, but the instructor may be teaching up to four people in that group. If you are alone, you might have the instructor to yourself, as happened during one session.

For couples, families, and friends, the arrangement is a good middle ground. You can share the outing while still receiving meaningful help. It also keeps the mood relaxed, which is useful when one person is confident and another is still trying to get comfortable on the board.

What beginners can realistically expect

You do not need previous surfing experience. The lesson is aimed at beginners, and the instruction begins with the very first steps. You learn how to get up on the board before you work on catching waves.

The teaching style is encouraging without making a promise that you will become a skilled surfer in two hours. Several beginners managed to stand, including one child who got up within about five minutes and an adult who needed the full lesson. That is a fair picture of what you might expect: standing is possible, but it is not automatic.

I would book this as an introduction, not as a complete surfing course. You may finish with a first taste of riding a wave and a better idea of whether you want more lessons. You should not expect advanced turns, strong independent wave selection, or polished technique after one session.

The quiet beach improves your odds because you have room to repeat the movement. The instructor’s presence in the water also helps reduce the worry that often comes with a first attempt. Even so, surfing is physical work. One participant who had considered a four-hour lesson felt that two hours was enough because energy began to fade.

That is an important point. Two hours sounds short, but beginners spend much of that time paddling, standing, falling, walking back out, and listening. If you are not used to the effort, the session may feel complete by the end.

Equipment, snacks, and the small comforts

The price includes the main gear you need: a surfboard and wetsuit. You choose your board and put on the wetsuit at the beach or beside the vehicle. Bring your own swimsuit for underneath the wetsuit, and plan to arrive ready for an active outing.

Snacks and drinks are included during a break. One participant especially appreciated a mint tea break, which fits Essaouira nicely, though you should treat the exact snack and drink selection as subject to the day’s arrangements.

These details matter more than they might on paper. Surfing uses plenty of energy, and a short break gives you time to catch your breath before trying again. You do not need to pack a full picnic, although bringing anything else you personally need is sensible.

Photos and videos are another useful extra. Instructors have taken pictures during sessions and sent them later through WhatsApp. This is not the reason to book the lesson, but it gives you a record of your first attempt without asking a friend to remain on the beach with a phone.

Timing, tides, and the Essaouira wind

You can request a convenient time, but the best session may not match your first choice. One instructor contacted a group and suggested a different hour for better tide conditions. That is good advice to accept if your schedule allows it.

Surfing depends on conditions, and the provider states that poor weather can lead to a cancellation, a new date, or a full refund. The wind is a major part of Essaouira’s identity, and the same coastal conditions that attract kite surfers can affect a beginner’s comfort in the water.

The activity lasts around two hours, not including the pickup drive and preparation. Keep enough space in your day so you are not rushing to another appointment. A relaxed schedule also gives you room for the instructor to adjust the start time if tide or weather makes that wise.

You should also remember that the quiet spot is reached by vehicle. The exact beach is not fixed in the information provided, so do not plan around a particular named shore or assume the drive will always be identical. The main promise is a less crowded beginner setting near Essaouira.

Is $32.22 a good price?

At $32.22 per person, this is strong value if you want a simple first surf lesson with the main logistics handled. You receive transport from Essaouira, a board, a wetsuit, instruction, snacks, and drinks. Paying separately for those pieces could quickly make a low headline lesson price less attractive.

The small group also improves the value. You are not only paying for access to a beach and a board. You are paying for an instructor who can stay involved, explain the movement, and help you make adjustments in the water.

The price is less compelling if you already surf confidently and only need to rent equipment. In that case, two hours of beginner instruction may cover material you already know. It also may not suit someone looking for a long training session, since the water time is limited to about two hours overall.

For a first attempt, a family activity, or a couple wanting something active away from the medina, the balance is good. The included transport removes hassle, and the quieter location adds something you cannot get from simply renting a board on the main beach.

Who will enjoy this Essaouira surf trip

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• First-time surfers who want patient guidance
• Couples who prefer a small and relaxed activity
• Families with older children or teenagers
• Friends with mixed levels of confidence
• Anyone who wants to avoid the main beach crowd
• Visitors who value pickup and included equipment

The activity has also worked well for a nine-year-old and a parent, but the supplied information does not set out a formal minimum age. If you are booking for a young child, confirm suitability before paying.

It is also a good choice if you are unsure about surfing. You can test the sport without buying gear, arranging transport, or committing to a long course. If you enjoy it, you can look for more lessons afterward.

I would be more cautious if you dislike cold water, strenuous activity, or changing into a wetsuit outdoors or beside a vehicle. The description says wetsuits may be put on at the beach or next to the car, so do not expect a full changing facility.

Booking details worth knowing

Confirmation is provided when you book, and a mobile ticket is accepted. Pickup is offered, while the listed start point is Rue Mohamed El Qorry in Essaouira. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Most people can participate, but the experience requires good weather. If poor weather cancels the session, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes inside that 24-hour window are not refunded or accepted.

Because the activity averages booking around 13 days ahead, I would reserve early if you have limited time in Essaouira. Still, leave some flexibility around the chosen hour in case the instructor advises a better tide.

Should you book it?

Book this lesson if you want your first taste of surfing in Essaouira without the crowds, equipment worries, and transport planning. The quiet sandy beach, four-person instructor limit, and patient help from instructors such as Simo and Momo give beginners a fair chance to stand and catch a small wave.

Skip it if you want a full-day surf course, advanced coaching, or a guaranteed private instructor. For most first-timers, though, $32.22 is a sensible price for two hours of instruction, gear, pickup, and refreshments. Bring a swimsuit, accept the suggested tide time, and expect a fun but physical morning or afternoon rather than an effortless beach outing.

FAQ

Where does the surfing activity take place?

You meet at Rue Mohamed El Qorry in Essaouira and are driven to a quieter surf beach. The beach may be south of Essaouira, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is pickup included?

Yes. Round-trip transportation to your hotel in Essaouira is included, and pickup is offered as part of the activity.

Are beginners welcome?

Yes. The lesson begins with warm-up exercises and practice on the sand, including how to stand on the board. The instructor then supports you in the water.

What equipment is provided?

A surfboard and wetsuit are provided. You should bring a swimsuit to wear underneath the wetsuit.

How many people are assigned to each instructor?

The maximum is four people per instructor. The activity itself is private, so only your group participates.

Are snacks and drinks included?

Yes. Snacks and drinks are included during the break. Mint tea has also been provided during some sessions.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The activity may be canceled if the weather is unsuitable. You will be offered a different date or a full refund.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the activity are not accepted, and the amount paid is not refunded.