Located in the south of Morocco, Dakhla is a small part of paradise, lost between the waters of the Atlantic and the sands of the Sahara. Dakhla stands as one of Morocco’s most exciting and diverse destinations. Whether you’re drawn by world-class water sports, pristine beaches, unique desert landscapes, rich culture, or authentic Moroccan hospitality, Dakhla offers experiences that will remain with you long after your visit.
Dakhla, also known as Ad-Dakhla, is the capital of the Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab region. With a population of approximately 140,000 people, this modern city boasts excellent infrastructure, a bustling port, and a fascinating blend of cultures. The city has developed rapidly over the past two decades, transforming from a small trading post into a modern urban center while maintaining its unique charm and character.
These shores are one of the most beautiful ones in Morocco. Situated on the edge of the Western Sahara desert, the Dakhla peninsula shelters a huge 45-kilometre-long flat water lagoon from the Atlantic Ocean and is surrounded by dramatic dunes and desert topography. The city is built on a peninsula that runs down from the mainland creating a lagoon area that is popular for kite surfing and wildlife.
The combination of natural beauty, excellent infrastructure, adventurous activities, and genuine warmth of the local people makes Dakhla an essential addition to any Morocco travel itinerary.
Dakhla is a medium-sized city of just over 100,000 people located 400 kilometers north of the Mauritanian border.
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The optimal visiting period for Dakhla is September to May. Summer months (June-August) see temperatures rise to 30-35°C, but the persistent Atlantic winds keep things relatively cool.
The city experiences a desert climate with mild winters and warm summers. The area receives minimal rainfall, making it an excellent year-round destination.
Dakhla has a temperate year-round climate so you won’t experience the extreme heat you will in other areas of the Sahara. One thing to keep in mind however is that it can be quite windy.
The city is situated on a peninsula surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean on three sides, creating a dramatic and picturesque landscape. The bay is protected, which makes it ideal for water sports.
Unlike most of Morocco, this part of the Sahara was controlled by Spain for hundreds of years and has close ties to the Canary Islands.
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The recent history and background of the region are complex. In the 1960s and ’70s things started to get a little more tumultuous with pressure being laid on Spain to give up the territory by both Mauritania and Morocco. From 1975 it was considered jointly administered by the two countries however neither recognized each other leading to the Western Sahara War that lasted from 1975 - 1991 when an UN-sponsored cease-fire went into effect.
I realize that this might all sound a bit scary but if you’re visiting the city of Dakhla it’s quite safe and a great beach destination.
If you do go into the city of Dakhla you will find the people there to be incredibly kind and friendly. For women who are traveling and find other areas of Morocco to be a pain when it comes to street harassment Dakhla is a breath of fresh air. Never once was an inappropriate comment made to me, even when I was sitting alone outside.
The inland areas controlled by the SADR are not advisable. Also, if you plan to travel to Mauritania you should be aware that travel in convoys is advised (and I’ve read accounts that it’s required) from points south of Dakhla to the border.
Dakhla is under Moroccan control, with Moroccan military checkpoints throughout the area and Moroccan government buildings and flags clearly displaying their presence.
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How to Get to Dakhla
Reaching Dakhla there are limited options, given it is such a far distance. There are both domestic and international flights to Dakhla.
Most people arrive via flight from either Casablanca or Agadir or overland from Morocco or Mauritania. Entry requirements are the same as Morocco given its control over Dakhla and 80% of Western Sahara.
Direct flights exist from Agadir and Casablanca and you can connect to these cities from other points in Morocco via Royal Air Maroc. Air Arabia also now offers flights from Marrakech to Dakhla at a much lower rate. International flights arrive from France and Germany and seasonally from the Canary Islands. The Dakhla airport is VERY small.
From the US, there are direct flights from New York to Casablanca to Dakhla on Royal Air Maroc.
Alternatively, I flew from New York to Paris via Level Airlines which you can read my review of that flight, Paris to Casablanca to Dakhla which was much cheaper.
From Paris to Casablanca to Dakhla, I paid about 300 euros for a round trip fare. Flights are twice a day from Casablanca, one in the morning at 7:55am and one in the evening at 9:30pm. Most people will take the night time flight unless you are staying overnight in Casablanca. The flight arrives just before midnight.
From Dakhla, you will clear Moroccan Immigration and customs before heading to your kitesurf resort or guesthouse in the town of Dakhla.
Bus service is available from major Moroccan cities to Dakhla via Supratours, CTM as well as cheaper option SATAS. Supratours and CTM buses run to and from Agadir (~20 hr, ~350 dirham). Supratours has two buses per day, while CTM has one. From Laayoune, costs are 230 dirham per person (2023). A joint CTM and Supratours bus runs daily to the Mauritanian border at Guerguerat (Gargarate).
Tickets are around 500 dirham and can not be purchased in advance. Keep in mind this is a very long journey.
If you’re up for a road trip, this would be an epic one. It will take a minimum of two days for you to make the drive with a stop in the middle of the trip. It should also be expected that you’ll run into many police checks along the way so stick to the rules of the road and be prepared for this.
National Route 1, running the length, of the country passes by Dakhla It is also the only major road in the vicinity. Distance from the nearest major city in the north, El Aaiun is 535 km. To the south of Dakhla is 440 km of almost uninhabited territory, except for a few tiny fishing villages, until the Mauritanian border and Nouadhibou. Travelling this stretch by car is perfectly possible but requires some planning and careful preparations.
Getting Around Dakhla
If you plan to rent a car in Dakhla there is very limited GPS coverage - this is the Sahara and there are limited paved roads. Many routes are on dirt and are barely marked. More than once I shook my head wondering how anyone found their way.
The city centre is small enough to navigate on foot.
WITHIN THE CITY: TAXIS, CAR RENTALS, and ORGANIZED TOURS are the primary transportation methods.
There are a few buses daily from as far away as Casablanca and Marrakech. Buses are run by CTM, Supratours and Satas.
Things to do in Dakhla
Dakhla is internationally recognized as the ultimate destination for windsurfing and kitesurfing in Africa. Dakhla is not just about water sports.
In the surroundings, the PK25 and Foum El Bouir beaches are particularly famous. Being the perfect places for sliding sports : Surfers, kitesurfers and windsurfers, whether amateurs or professionals, meet here to experience thrilling challenges with waves and winds.
Dakhla’s kitesurfing is one of the world’s most famous and best locations. The long lagoon with views of the desert in the background makes for stunning scenery while kiting. The water is flat and warm year round making it a great place for those looking to learn, like myself.
This is the number one activity that people come to Dakhla for. There are dozens of hotels and resorts in the area that specialize in kite surf camps. There are also many other outfitters that just offer equipment and transportation to kite surfing spots. Whether you’re a beginner or advanced there really is something for everyone.
If you plan to kite surf look into package deals that combine room, board, and your equipment to save a little bit of money.
Kitesurfing: With year-round winds and calm waters in the bay, kitesurfing is excellent throughout the year.
Windsurfing: Dakhla hosts numerous windsurfing schools and competitions. The bay provides ideal conditions for both beginners and advanced windsurfers.
Dakhla is internationally recognized as the ultimate destination for windsurfing and kitesurfing in Africa.
The main downside is that apart from the beach and windsurfing camps, there is nothing else around. If you’re really into windsurfing or kitesurfing, it’s perfect.
White Dune: This is one of Dakhla’s claims to fame. It is a giant white sand dune in the middle of the sea, like an elevated sandbar. It is located slightly south of the lagoon and the wind around it allows for epic kiting. For those that are good enough to jump and do tricks, this place is your spot to get some of the coolest pics available in kiting.
Essentially it’s a giant sand dune that is in the middle of a lagoon. When the tide goes out the water pulls back and there’s a giant open space of land. When the tide comes in it surrounds this dune but only goes up so far. A little strange, and pretty cool!
This is a great spot to see migratory birds and when the tide is up we were told kite surfers use it as a jumping-off point into the water.
About 100 km south of Dakhla is the Imlili Desert. Called sebkha’s there are 160 natural saltwater pools that exist in the middle of this desert area. Not only that but there are small saltwater fish that live in these water holes. Nearby there are also freshwater wells that attract herders and wild animals. It’s honestly very peculiar but incredibly interesting to see. If you can make it happen, this is an experience every visitor to the region should have.
If you gain anything from this guide to Dakhla, it should be the need to hire a driver with a 4×4 vehicle and let them take you off the peninsula and show you the surrounding desert and the untouched coast. It’s some of the most inhospitable land on the planet but with that comes some of the most stunning and surreal landscapes I’ve ever seen in my 19 years of travel (it even rivals the unbelievable Socotra Island).
Meet shepherds and their herds of camels and sheep. Finally, for a day of excitement, choose an excursion away from the city towards the Moroccan desert.
Sail in the Sahara: Enjoy a taste of sailing on a 38ft Catamaran, experience the adventure of getting out on the waters of the beautiful Dakhla bay, feel the power of the wind. Check out this company if you’re looking for single day and multi-day tours in the region.
The waters around Dakhla are home to numerous fish species, sea turtles, and occasionally dolphins and seals.
There is a very special way that Saharawi tea is made and drank. It includes a LOT of pouring and the drinking of 3-4 glasses of tea, each of which tastes differently. This was one of my favorite things we did because it truly is a cultural experience.
In Dakhla city, there is a small souk (in comparison to Marrakech) that you should visit. There are a lot of different things available for purchase here than you’ll find in other cities. A few of the things that I made sure to get were melhfa fabric (the lightweight wraps that women from the Sahara wear), Saharawi loose tea, acacia sap for sweetening tea, and el aych a type of grain/cereal commonly eaten here.
Local Cuisine: Dakhla’s seafood is exceptional. Fresh fish, shrimp, squid, and lobster are prepared in traditional Moroccan style.
One of the biggest exports of the region are oysters headed mainly for Europe though local farmers are trying to get the Moroccan population more interested in this dish.
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