Sidi Kaouki Beach - Morocco’s best kept secret

One of the most popular coastal destinations on Morocco’s Atlantic coast is the former Portuguese fishing port of Essaouira and, consequently, it can get busy during popular holiday periods (but nowhere near as crowded as Agadir).

Head 20 minutes south to the village of Sidi Kaouki – popular with the surfing community – and you will find the best beach in Morocco, which stretches for over 10km before cliffs prevent you from going any further (though it extends beyond that).

The beach is overlooked by Fleewinter’s Rebali Riads, a collection of riad-style villas – which have from two to five bedrooms. The riads combine the privacy of a private villa with the advantages that a hotel brings, including on-site chefs who can prepare meals and deliver them to the riads (alternatively there is a large communal eating area in the pretty, manicured gardens).

The smaller riads can be rented in their entirety or rooms can be individually hired in the larger ones. The larger properties have private swimming pools and there is also a large, communal pool.

There are many ways in which to enjoy the beach, one of the most popular being on a camel safari (90 minutes on the camel followed by a Berber picnic).

About 30 minutes along the beach is the old fishing village and one of the most simple, yet popular eateries, Abdul’s Café.

Abdul’s is perfect for a morning coffee or some freshly caught prawns or other seafood snack at lunchtime.

Set a little back from the beach, and a little more sophisticated – it even has a Facebook page – is La Mouette et Les Dromardaires (The Seagull & the Camels) which also sells delicious fish dishes.

Other activities available on or near the beach and all bookable through Fleewinter include horse riding, quad-biking, tennis (Rebali has its own court), cookery-demonstrations (in your own riad) and watersports with instruction (surfing, kite surfing, wind surfing etc.).

The centre has its own on-site Hammam (traditional Moroccan sauna/steam complex), for a well-earned massage following a day of activities.

The price of a typical week-long activity break from Fleewinter is from £285 pp (based on two sharing, B&B basis).
Flights are extra, bookable through Fleewinter as are transfers to and from Marrakech.

From May this year, there will be direct flights for the first time from the UK (Luton) to Essaouira Airport which is just 15 minutes from Rebali.

For more information, visit fleewinter.com.