Unwind on idyllic sandy beaches
200km north of Essaouira, between El Jadida and Safi, is the peaceful town of Oualidia. Overlooking a coastal lagoon frequented by migratory birds, beyond which is the vast expanse of the Atlantic ocean, its setting couldn’t be more idyllic.
Golden sandy beaches surround the horseshoe-shaped lagoon where colourful fishing boats bob on the still waters. The lagoon is protected from the ocean making it ideal for canoeing, kayaking and swimming. Those after a little more adventure can surf the waves of the Atlantic.
As you might expect from a town on the coast, the seafood here is excellent. Feast on calamari, lobster, shrimp and oysters, considered the best in Morocco. Few things beat a trip out to an oyster farm followed by a tasting with a crisp glass of white wine.
A ruined kasbah built in 1634 for the Sultan El Oualid offers panoramic views of the lagoon, cliffs and beaches and can be reached on foot or by bike. Venture a little further out of town and explore the castle at El Jadida, an early example of Renaissance military design.
While there is plenty to do in Oualidia, part of the joy of a stay here is taking the time to simply relax and dial back the pace for a few days.
Highlights
Spend your days canoeing, kayaking or swimming in the calm lagoon
Make a splash and surf the waves of the Atlantic
Explore the ruined kasbah built for Sultan El Oualid
Head out of town and visit an oyster farm
Jack Beckford
Travel Designer
Set on the picturesque Atlantic coastline, Oualidia offers you a peaceful escape beside a beautiful lagoon. Fill your days with swimming, kayaking and paddleboarding, dine on the freshest seafood and explore the town on foot.
Jack Beckford
Travel Designer
Luxury accommodation in Oualidia
Trip Inspiration
Discover more of Morocco
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The city of Fes, Morocco’s second largest, is considered to be its cultural and religious capital and often referred to as the Mecca of the West.
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The Atlas Mountains are a rugged chain that span North Africa from the Atlantic coast through Algeria and Tunisia, an imposing barrier between the fertile Mediterranean coast from the vast Sahara Desert.
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With its rich atmosphere, fascinating history and rich Berber culture, the city of Marrakesh encapsulates what draws people from around the world to Morocco.
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Morocco’s corner of the desert lies south of the High Atlas Mountains, a smattering of oasis towns becoming less frequent the further you venture, eventually reaching the golden dune seas that evokes the most romantic images of the Sahara.
Discover moreSkoura
Skoura is an oasis town that sits south of the Atlas Mountains at the gateway to the Sahara beyond. Once an important trading post where camel trains would offload spices and gold to be hauled over to Fes, its illustrious past can be glimpsed in the sand coloured Kasbahs that still stand here today.
Discover moreTangier
Morocco’s northernmost city, looking out across the Strait of Gibraltar to Spain, Tangier is a place with a fascinating history. Known as ‘The Door of Africa’, it has changed hands dozens of times.
Discover moreMeet your Middle East team
When to visit
Morocco’s varied landscapes mean that the best time to go to Morocco depends on where you want to go and what you want to do.
Spring and Autumn are warm and sunny across the country. This is a great time for exploring cities, climbing mountains or sleeping out in the desert.
Winters are mild and summer is extremely hot, but there are many pleasant retreats that can be found in both seasons.
Exploring souks
March–May
Go hiking
September–November
Sahara camping
October–May
Plan your trip to Oualidia
Whatever you want from your adventure in Oualidia, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.
Why book with Jacada?
Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.
Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.
Responsible travel
Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.
We went to Marrakesh, Essaouira and Oualidia with Jacada. Our only regret was not having had more time to spend in Morocco. It was absolutely magical. James from Jacada must have been able to read our mind putting the perfect vacation together, which not only the adults but also our 6 and 10 year old boys enjoyed. Everybody we came…
Planning my daughter and my adventure with Berni and Jen was easy and fun. We outlined the key things we wanted to do and they put it all together. Throughout our holiday, we enjoyed ziplining, nature walks and sloth searches, traversed the hanging bridges, hiked to waterfalls, rafted into and out of our amazing lodge in the rainforest and were…
It worked out exactly as described by the Jacada team ahead of the trip. Like a Swiss watch at work. Thank you for a great family experience.
Jacada team is amazing I booked 4 trips with them so far during these trips I visited 11 wonderful countries. one of my trips was a 2 month long trip to South America it was a dream . My favorite thing about Jacada is the attention to details and making almost everything possible thank you can’t wait to travel with…
Jacada arranged a 50th birthday celebration for my wife (and me) in Morocco. Truly a once in a lifetime experience, with outstanding experiences, attention to detail and service across the board. We have traveled around the world, including with other travel companies. This was the most incredible experience we have ever had. The food, the accommodations, the tours—everything was perfect.…
Plan with peace of mind
When you book a trip in today’s world there’s a lot to think about. But with the right advice and expert planning, you can do it with confidence.
If you book to travel with us but your plans are impacted by circumstances you can’t control, we’ll change your reservation or cancel your booking for a full credit towards future travel.