In short
January is Essaouira's coolest and quietest month: 18°C by day, 10°C at night, the sea at 17°C and the lightest wind of the year. Not a beach month, but the best for experienced surfers and for an empty, cheap town — as long as you sleep in a heated riad.
The month in numbers · January
Long-term averages
- 18°C
- daytime high
- 10°C
- night low
- 17°C
- sea temperature
- 9 kn
- average wind
- 6
- days of rain
- 7 h
- hours of sun a day
January is the month Essaouira most belongs to its residents. The holiday crowd leaves in the first few days, prices fall to their lowest, and the town slows right down: morning cafés, a busy port, a medina with hardly anyone in it.
It isn't warm, but it is mild — far milder than Europe at the same time. This is a month for walking, eating, surfing if you already can, and spending late afternoons in the hammam.
The weather
January is the coolest month of the year: 18°C by day, 10°C at night, seven hours of sunshine. Fine days are still common, bright and dry; Atlantic fronts bring about six days of rain, often bunched into two or three.
Days are already lengthening: sunrise is around 8.30am and sunset around 7pm mid-month.
Compared with Marrakech, the days are alike but the nights are not. The ocean keeps Essaouira above 10°C while Marrakech often drops to about 5°C. The damp, on the other hand, makes the cold inside houses more penetrating here.
The sea
17°C, the lowest of the year along with February and March. Not a swimming month. It is, however, the heart of the surf season: the winter swell is long and consistent, the wind at its lightest, and the spots along the coast often work at the same time.
- Beginners: lessons run in the morning, in the most sheltered part of the bay; the school picks the slot to suit the swell.
- Experienced surfers: Sidi Kaouki to the south, and Imsouane further on for its long waves.
Bring a 4/3, and boots if you feel the cold.
The wind
The lightest of the year, around 9 knots on average. It only blows when weather systems pass through. For most visitors that is the best news of the month: the beach, the ramparts and the terraces are pleasant at any hour.
What to do in January
- The port in the morning as the boats come in, then a coffee in the sun on Place Moulay Hassan.
- The medina, for once without crowds: also the right time to buy, as craftsmen have time to talk.
- The hammam in late afternoon, when the air cools.
- A walk to Diabat or along the beach in the midday sun.
- A guided walk through the medina, eating as you go: the local cooking is made for winter.
Public holidays and crowds
Two public holidays fall in January: the 11th, anniversary of the Independence Manifesto, and the 14th, Yennayer, the Amazigh New Year, a public holiday in Morocco since 2024. Banks and offices close; souks, restaurants and activities run as normal. When these dates fall near a weekend, Moroccans from Casablanca and Marrakech come for two or three days.
Outside those weekends, January is the cheapest month of the year. Riads post low-season rates, and you can walk into restaurants without booking.
Where to stay
One rule: a heated room. The medina's stone houses hold the damp, and an open courtyard chills the whole house at night. Ask explicitly whether the room has heating, and be wary of rooms that open straight onto the courtyard.
What to pack
- Layers: t-shirt at noon in the sun, jumper and warm jacket in the evening.
- Something properly warm to sleep in: rooms are cool even when heated.
- A light waterproof rather than an umbrella.
- Closed shoes that cope with a wet alley.
- Sunscreen: the winter sun still burns, especially on the water.
The verdict
The best month for experienced surfers and for lovers of a quiet town, the worst for the beach. If you are coming for the medina, the port, the food and the hammam, January gives you Essaouira at the lowest prices of the year and almost without visitors.
The month before is livelier, with the holidays: Essaouira in December. The month after hints at spring: Essaouira in February.
Common questions
What is the weather like in Essaouira in January?
It is the coolest month: around 18°C by day and 10°C at night, with seven hours of sun a day and six rainy days on average. Sunny days are mild, far milder than in Europe; nights are cool and damp.
Is Essaouira warmer than Marrakech in January?
Daytimes are similar, around 18 to 19°C, but nights are much milder in Essaouira: the ocean keeps it above 10°C, while Marrakech often drops to around 5°C. Essaouira is damper and windier, though.
Can you swim in Essaouira in January?
The sea is at 17°C, its lowest along with February and March. Surfers wear a 4/3; swimming without a wetsuit is for the brave, on a day of full sun.
Is January a good month to surf in Essaouira?
One of the best for experienced surfers: the winter swell is at its most consistent and the wind at its lightest. Sidi Kaouki and Imsouane work well. Beginners can learn too, in the morning, with a school that picks a sheltered slot.
Are there public holidays in Morocco in January?
Two: 11 January, the anniversary of the Independence Manifesto, and 14 January, the Amazigh New Year (Yennayer), a public holiday since 2024. Offices and banks close; souks, restaurants and tourist activities carry on.
