Essaouira: Group Kitesurfing Lesson with Pickup & Photos

Summary

Essaouira’s wild wind, group kitesurfing lessons, local laughs

You’ll learn to control your kite on Essaouira’s wild beach winds with a local guide by your side. Start with setup and safety basics, then move on to flying the kite, body dragging through chilly Atlantic waves, and finally trying out your first ride — all in a small group setting with free pickup from town and photos included.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect my first real taste of Essaouira to be salt on my lips and sand stuck in my eyebrows, but that’s how our group kitesurfing lesson started. The drive from town was short — maybe ten minutes? — and the air had that mix of seaweed and coffee (from the thermos our guide handed me as we unloaded the gear). I’d never seen so many kites bobbing in one place. Our instructor, Youssef, grinned like he knew exactly how nervous we were. He said something about “the wind here being half the fun,” which I only half believed until it yanked my kite sideways.

The first hour was all about getting to know the kite. Youssef showed us how to set up — lines everywhere at first, but he made it look easy. My friend tried to say “thank you” in Arabic and totally butchered it; Youssef just laughed and repeated it slower for us. There’s this moment when you finally get the kite steady overhead — it’s quieter than you’d think, just the wind humming through your harness and your own heartbeat thumping away. The Atlantic felt cold even in a wetsuit, but after a few tries I stopped caring about water up my nose or falling over. It was weirdly freeing.

Body dragging was next (which sounds like an insult but is actually pretty fun), then relaunching the kite out in deeper water. I wiped out more times than I can count — there’s probably photographic evidence since they snapped pictures for us — but every time I managed to stand on the board for even a second, Youssef whooped from shore like I’d won something big. We finished with hot showers back at their little surf shack, hands wrinkled from saltwater and faces sore from grinning too much. Still thinking about that last gust of wind lifting me off balance… kind of wish I could bottle that feeling.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Group kitesurfing lesson in Essaouira

• Introduction to kitesurfing basics
• Learn wind directions and safety
• Practice kite control and launching
• Body dragging and kite relaunching
• First experience riding on board

Top questions

How long is the group kitesurfing lesson in Essaouira?

The lesson lasts around two hours.

Is transportation included for the kitesurfing class?

Yes, free pickup is offered from Essaouira within 10 km.

Are wetsuits and equipment provided?

Yes, wetsuit, kite bar, board, harness, leash are included.

Will I get photos during my kitesurfing lesson?

Yes, photos are taken during your session at no extra cost.

Is this group lesson suitable for beginners?

Yes, it's designed for beginners learning step by step.

Are there showers after the kitesurfing session?

Yes, hot showers are available after your lesson.

Can people using wheelchairs join this activity?

The tour is wheelchair accessible throughout all areas.

Is coffee or tea included during the experience?

Coffee or tea is provided as part of your day.

What’s included

Your session includes pickup from Essaouira (within 10 km), all necessary gear like wetsuit and board plus harness and leash, free photos during your lesson so you don’t have to worry about bringing a camera along; there’s hot showers afterward to rinse off sand and saltwater; enjoy coffee or tea at their surf shack before heading back into town; if you want to keep surfing later you’ll get 50% off surfboard rentals too.