In short
In March spring reaches Essaouira: 19°C by day, 12°C at night, eight hours of sun, a sea still cool at 17°C, and the wind returning late in the month. In 2027 Ramadan ends around 9 March with Eid al-Fitr, and Easter, on 28 March, brings the first spring visitors.
The month in numbers · March
Long-term averages
- 19°C
- daytime high
- 12°C
- night low
- 17°C
- sea temperature
- 12 kn
- average wind
- 5
- days of rain
- 8 h
- hours of sun a day
March is the month Essaouira wakes up. The countryside around town turns green after the winter rain, the argan trees leaf out, the days gain more than an hour, and the wind — absent since autumn — slowly returns at the end of the month.
In 2027 the month also opens with the end of Ramadan and closes with Easter. Two very different moments, which make March a month worth planning a little.
The weather
19°C by day, 12°C at night, eight hours of sun, about five rainy days. Fine days clearly dominate, with clear spring light and very green countryside. Evenings stay cool: a jacket is still essential after sunset.
The days lengthen quickly. Once the clocks return to normal after Ramadan, sunset is around 7.45pm at the end of the month.
The sea
17°C, still cold: the ocean warms up months behind the air. People surf in a 4/3, the winter swell is still around early in the month, and schools have room.
The wind
Around 12 knots on average, and above all more and more regular as the month goes on. The trade-wind pattern settles back in and the first windy afternoons return: this is the start of the kitesurfing season, which peaks from April to September.
For a first kite lesson, late March is actually a good time: wind without summer's strength, and an almost empty spot.
Everything about the spots and the season: kitesurfing in Essaouira.
The end of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr
Ramadan 2027 is expected to end around 9 March, with Eid al-Fitr on the 9th or 10th depending on the moon sighting. It is the great family celebration of the year:
- One or two public holidays, with most shops and souks closed on the day itself.
- Very busy transport in the days before and after: many Moroccans travel home to family. Book buses well ahead.
- A town in celebration: new clothes, families out in the streets, pastries everywhere.
- Clocks back to normal: Morocco returns to its usual time shortly after Ramadan, on a date announced by the government. Check your bus and flight times.
If you arrive during the last days of Ramadan, the advice on our Essaouira in February page applies.
What to do in March
One of the best months to get out of town.
- The argan countryside, green as it only is in spring, along the Marrakech road.
- A camel ride to Diabat and the dunes, along the beach and the Oued Ksob.
- Quad biking in the dunes, south of town.
- The medina and the port, always, in the morning.
- The beach in the afternoon, finally pleasant in the sun on the sand, before summer's big winds.
Prices and crowds
The first half of the month, with Ramadan and then Eid, stays quiet for foreign visitors, with low-season rates. Easter, on 28 March 2027, brings the first spring visitors, mostly British and Northern European; the French spring school holidays fall in April. For the end of the month, book your riad a few weeks ahead.
What to pack
- Spring clothes for the day, a jacket for the evening.
- A windbreaker: the wind comes back late in the month.
- Walking shoes if you head into the countryside.
- Sunscreen: the March sun is already strong, especially with the wind hiding it.
- A swimsuit, for the hammam or a surf in a wetsuit.
The verdict
The month when everything starts again: the countryside, the light, the wind. The second half is especially good — spring, prices still low and few people before Easter. Just avoid travelling by bus on the days around Eid, and keep a jacket for the evenings.
The month before is still winter: Essaouira in February. The month after is the real start of the kite season: Essaouira in April. Wind across the whole year is in our wind and weather guide.
Common questions
What is the weather like in Essaouira in March?
Around 19°C by day and 12°C at night, with eight hours of sun a day and five rainy days on average. Spring sets in: bright days and green countryside, but the evenings stay cool.
Is it windy in Essaouira in March?
The wind comes back. Around 12 knots on average, with more and more regular days towards the end of the month as the trade-wind pattern returns. It is the start of the kitesurfing season, which peaks from April to September.
Can you swim in Essaouira in March?
The sea is still at 17°C, among the coldest of the year, because the ocean warms up months behind the air. People surf and kite in a 4/3; swims are short.
When is Eid al-Fitr in 2027?
Around 9 or 10 March 2027, at the end of Ramadan; the exact date depends on the moon sighting. It is a major family celebration: one or two public holidays, shops closed on the day itself, and very busy transport around it.
Is March a good month to visit Essaouira?
Yes, especially the second half: spring, light, prices still low and few visitors before Easter. It's a good month to combine the town, the argan countryside, the beach in the afternoon and a first kite lesson at the end of the month.
