In short
April is one of the most pleasant months in Essaouira: 20°C by day, 13°C at night, nine hours of sun and hardly any rain. The wind comes back for good and the kitesurfing season starts, but the sea is still cool, around 17°C.
The month in numbers · April
Long-term averages
- 20°C
- daytime high
- 13°C
- night low
- 17°C
- sea temperature
- 14 kn
- average wind
- 4
- days of rain
- 9 h
- hours of sun a day
Two things change in Essaouira in April. The rain almost stops, and the wind comes back. Not winter's irregular wind that follows the weather systems: the real one, the trade wind, which gets up around midday and blows until evening. Kiters know it, and the Diabat spot slowly fills with colourful kites.
For everyone else, it's simply one of the most pleasant months of the year. It's mild, the light is lovely, and the town doesn't have summer's crowds yet.
The weather
20°C by day, 13°C at night. Nine hours of sunshine a day. About four rainy days in the month, nearly all in the first half. After that it's Atlantic spring weather: clear skies, dry air, a few misty mornings.
Sunset is around 8pm mid-month. The evenings are long but cool, so keep a jumper for dinner on a terrace.
The wind
Around 14 knots on average, and above all regular. The summer pattern settles back in: calm morning, wind building around midday, a steady afternoon of 15 to 20 knots, dropping at sunset.
That changes how you plan your days. The beach in the morning, the medina in the afternoon, when the ramparts shelter you. And if you've always wanted to try kiting, this is the time: the wind is here without July's force, and the spot isn't crowded yet.
Everything about the spots and the season: kitesurfing in Essaouira.
The sea
17°C. Still cold, and it stays that way longer than people expect: the ocean warms up months behind the air. You swim quickly and surf for a long time in a wetsuit. The winter swell is fading, which makes the waves in the bay ideal for beginners in the morning.
What to do in April
Make the most of the calm mornings. That's the time for surfing, a walk along the beach to Diabat, or the port as the boats come in. In late morning, before the wind gets up, a camel ride out to the dunes is still very pleasant.
Afternoons belong to the medina, the souks and sheltered terraces. The wind doesn't get past the ramparts.
Holidays and crowds
Easter and the European spring school holidays bring more visitors, especially at weekends, and the best riads go earlier. Book two to four weeks ahead for those dates.
Essaouira also usually hosts the Printemps musical des Alizés in spring, a classical music festival. If your dates line up, go: the concerts take place in small venues around the medina.
What to pack
- Light clothes for the day.
- A jumper and a windbreaker: in the afternoon the wind cools everything down.
- Sunscreen and sunglasses. The April sun is already strong, and the wind stops you feeling it.
- A swimsuit, for a short swim or the hammam.
The verdict
April is the best month to try kitesurfing, and an excellent month for everything else, as long as you aren't coming to swim. The weather is reliable, the town still quiet, prices reasonable outside the school holidays.
The month before brings back spring: Essaouira in March. The month after is when the wind settles in for good: Essaouira in May.
Common questions
What is the weather like in Essaouira in April?
Around 20°C by day and 13°C at night, with nine hours of sun a day and four rainy days on average, mostly early in the month. The days are bright and mild, the evenings still cool.
Is April a good month for kitesurfing in Essaouira?
Yes, it is the real start of the season. The trade winds return in the afternoons, usually 15 to 20 knots, without July's strength. For a first lesson it is one of the best times: enough wind and hardly anyone on the spot.
Can you swim in Essaouira in April?
The sea is still at 17°C. A short swim on a warm day, yes; an afternoon in the water, no. People surf and kite in a 4/3 or a 3/2, depending on how much they feel the cold.
Is Essaouira busy in April?
Busier than in winter, especially during the European spring and Easter school holidays. The town is still nowhere near summer crowds, but book your riad a few weeks ahead for those dates.
What should I pack for Essaouira in April?
Light clothes for the day, a jumper and a windproof jacket for the evening and the windy afternoons, sunscreen and sunglasses. A swimsuit if you want to brave the sea.
