Essaouira has been a magnet for poets, artists and craftsmen since the eighteenth century, so the tiny streets are crammed with local pottery and handicrafts. In the evening the fisherman come back to port in their brightly painted boats, their nets bursting with sardines, and people jostle on the quays to buy the fresh fish. You won't find anything fresher for dinner! Due to the increased popularity of Essaouira there are several new properties being built and renovated, so there are a number of ongoing building works throughout the town and seafront.

Main Bay The sandy crescent shaped bay of Essaouira offers mixed conditions, with flat shallow water closer to the town, chop in the mid bay and waves downwind. An ideal spot for all levels as well as wave novices.

MOULAY BOUZERKTOUNE: With a stronger sideshore wind than Essaouira, where the Atlantic and North East trades meet, Moulay offers one of the best wave spots just outside Europe. In the winter with 2 - 5 meters waves this is a spot for confident wave sailors only.

SIDI KAOUKI To the south of Essaouira this is a 5 km long beach again with a cross shore wind and good waves in the winter. Conditions here can vary and with different entry points you will find the right waves for beginner and more advanced wave sailors.

The wind (northeasterly trade wind) blows side to side off shore from the right. In the summer months, i.e. June - August, the thermals created by the big difference in land and sea temperatures accelerates the trade wind to average bft 6 - 8, but due to the massive expanse of beach it is always safe even for the less experienced.

Autumn and winter winds can swing round and come from the left and are lighter averaging around bft 4 - 6. This is also the main wave season with easy wave sailing in the main spot at around 1-2 m but full on wave sailing in the main wave spot at the end on the main bay and in Moulay.

THE WINDSURFING

Essaouira offers windsurfers the opportunity to sail in a whole variety of conditions. In the summer months, you can count on finding a slight windchop to flat conditions in the morning, with waves building in the afternoon at the far down wind end of the bay. Wave conditions are especially good on the southern side of the bay in spring and autumn (2 -4 m) but smaller from mid-June to August (0.5 to 1 m) for novice wave sailors.

Water temperatures are generally 20°C in the summer (shortie) dropping to around 15C in the winter (full 5/3). Generally the conditions are suited to all levels in the summer and wave sailors in the winter.

With the wave spots nearby surfing is very popular in this area. You can take a boat trip out to the Mogador Islands and the bird sanctuary on the Lies Purpuaires. For the more active quad biking is very popular.

The old city is good to explore - the maze of streets and alleyways always seem to throw a new sight or sound at every turn. On the hill of Safi is the potters' quarter, where you will find dozens of potters creating their famous intricate works. Along with rugs, glassware, leather goods silver etc. this is a shoppers paradise!

THE KITESURFING

Courses and kit hire are available at the Mistral centre. Conditions are normally perfect for beginners in the mornings. With the long sandy curved bay and cross shore winds these are very safe teaching conditions.

Shops are open until late in the evening so the town is bustling and takes on a new aura after dark. There are several excellent restaurants offering seafood and the delicious local tagines (casseroles). As Morocco is predominantly Muslim, you will not be served alcohol in restaurants but you will find a small number of bars.

UK / EU passport holders A full 10 year passport valid until at least 6 moths after date of return. No visa required. Other passport holders Please check with Moroccan Embassy (020 7581 0719).

HEALTH ADVICE

There are no compulsory inoculations if travelling from the UK but we recommend to check with your GP for the latest advice.