Morocco · CAMEL RIDES IN ESSAOUIRA
The 15 camel rides in Essaouira below are the ones worth a slot in a Moroccan week, with what each costs, how long it runs and who it suits. Number one is first for a reason.
Join Mostafa, Lima, or Abdoul for a three-hour small-group dromedary ride from Essaouira. You’ll cross wild beaches, eucalyptus woods, Diabat village, Cap Sim dunes, and old ruins, with a tea and snack stop along the way. Sunset is the best time, and pickup is offered.
“Everything! This is such a planned adventure and Mostafa is wonderful. Everything you want in a guide. Not to be missed, especially the final moments at sunset”
Travel from Marrakech to Essaouira in an air-conditioned minibus, with hotel pickup, a stop at an argan oil cooperative, and about four hours to explore the port, medina, beach, shops, and optional camel, horse, or quad rides. Drivers such as Hakim, Bijad, Idriss, and Amin are praised for friendly, careful service.
“The driver was so lovely and amazing. He really took care of us. He has the best playlist too that’s also a win. Definitely do recommend, he is absolutely wonderful”
Ride a camel or horse along Plage Tagharte near Essaouira as the sun drops over the coast. Guides such as Hassan, Khalid, Aziz, and Abdulaziz lead the outing, share local stories, and often take photos. The ride itself lasts about an hour within a roughly three-hour experience, with pickup available.
“Wonderful experience. It was a dream coming true. Thanks to Wafa and her beautiful horse Ragnar. Both very lovely and gentle. Totally recommend. Also big thank u to Omar and the whole team. Magical moments on the horse riding into the sunset. Thank u!”
Ride a one-humped camel for about an hour along Essaouira’s beach, dunes, and coastal paths. Your guide may include photo stops, local history, and traditional attire for pictures. Pickup and drop-off are included from Ocean Vagabond, with sunset departures especially popular.
“I wasn’t sure about doing a camel ride, seemed touristy and kinda lame. Turned out being quite the opposite. We rode at sunset with the beach and islands as a backdrop and it was beautiful. Our guide, Ahmad, took wonderful photos of us, told a few jokes, wrapped us in BeRead more”
Set out from Ranch de Diabat for a gentle one-hour dromedary ride near Essaouira. With guides such as Mustafa or Mostafa, you cross dunes, beach, and wild mimosa and thuya forest, with time for photos and views of Mogador Island. Pickup is included from Petite Porte de Bab Marrakech.
“Mustafa was a brilliant guide - we had a great trek through the sand dunes and then onto part of the beach to walk by the sea. I had my children with me and it felt very safe for them. Mustafa clearly had a great connection with the camels and the horses on the ranch and it is a beautiful place.”
Ride a camel for two hours across Essaouira’s Atlantic beaches, sandy dunes, and forest paths. Your guide may be Yusuf, who introduces the animals and shares local insight. Hotel pickup and drop-off, a helmet, and a Spanish, English, or French-speaking driver-guide are included.
“Tolles Erlebnis, mit den Kamelen durch die Dünen und am Strand zu reiten, eines unserer Highlights unseres Marokkourlaubs. Die Tiere waren sehr gepflegt, man merkt, dass sie dem Eigentümer am Herzen liegen. Sein eigenes Dromedar, Boris, ist schon 22 Jahre alt und 15 Jahre an seiner Seite.”
Spend about three hours riding a dromedary beside Essaouira Beach, through dunes, past the Ruins of Sultan Palace and Portuguese Castle, and into a small eucalyptus and mimosa forest. Mustafa may guide your outing, sharing local details and taking photos. Pickup, drop-off, and air-conditioned transport are included.
“Great experience with the guide pointing out things like dug beetles, and wild tortoise. The lunch was great and authentic. My advise is to wrap up warm and wear a scarf around the face , it is very windy on the beach side and sand dunes”
Spend about two hours riding a camel through Essaouira’s beach and semi-desert surroundings. A local guide, sometimes named Imad, leads the private outing, explains desert life, and often takes photos and videos. Sunset departures offer the best light, while some routes include a stop near the Jimmy Hendrix Café for Moroccan tea and snacks.
“great experience, collected from hotel brought to beach close by and had almost 2.5 hours, the guy was really nice and was so attentive took so many photos of us going above and beyond to make it a memorable experience”
Meet Mostafa near Bab Marrakech for a private two-hour camel ride along Essaouira’s first beach. You’ll pass the Portuguese borj and Dar Soltane ruins, then continue through dunes and forest beside the Atlantic. A shawl and traditional Darâa are provided, and sunset departures may offer striking photos.
“The sunset from the back of the camel was beautiful. Our guide Mostofa was the Best. Very organized, friendly, helpfull. He still knows how to provide a service!”
Spend about an hour riding a camel near Essaouira with Mostafa from Lima Dromadaires. The route reaches wild beaches, an eucalyptus forest, Diabat Village, Dar Sultan ruins, and the Portuguese Borj. Pickup is offered, the ride is private, and Mostafa can also take photos and videos during the outing.
“Un temps fort de notre séjour qui a dépassé nos attentes ! Tout était parfait , un grand merci à notre guide pour sa gentillesse, nous rentrons avec de très belles photos grâce à lui , en plus d’être guide il a aussi pris le rôle de photographe durant toute la balade ! Merci pour ce bon moment . On recommande largement !”
Travel from Marrakech to Essaouira by air-conditioned minivan or minibus, stopping at an argan oil cooperative before several hours in the old Medina, harbor, ramparts, fish market, and beach. Optional 20-minute camel, horse, or quad rides are available. Drivers speak Arabic, English, or French, with names such as Alae, Faysal, and Astar noted for some departures.
“You get what you pay for. The transportation was average but it had very good AC, essential for such hot days. For the amount of hours we spent on the road we should have been able to spend more time in Essaouira. The beach town is beautiful.”
You’ll ride a calm one-humped dromedary through eucalyptus and mimosa forest, wild dunes, and along Essaouira’s Atlantic beach. Guides such as Youssef lead the route, help with the animals, and often take photos. Hotel pickup, drop-off, and a helmet are included. Choose a morning or afternoon departure.
“The ruins were spectacular and the guide was very kind! Thank you so much BXj. Carmello is the cutest camel”
Ride a camel through the forest, beaches, and dunes near Essaouira with a local guide. The private three-hour outing may include a route toward Diabat and a stop at the Jimmy Hendrix cafe. Guide Imad has led some departures, with camels named Forrest Gump, Zidane, James, Chocolat, and Tombouctou.
“Imad was great, kind, attentive. Animals are pampered. We really enjoyed this activityAuto-translated”
Spend two hours driving a quad through Essaouira’s forest, dunes, beach, and sandy tracks, then switch to a one-hour dromedary ride. Your private group returns to Hôtel des Îles, with pickup offered and time for sunset views.
“Very fun and organized! We felt safe and well taken care of. ATV tour had great views of the sand dunes and ocean, quads were in very good condition. Camel ride on the beach was very fun and our guide took great photos and videos of us.”
Spend about four hours with Lima Dromadaires, riding a well-cared-for dromedary from Essaouira toward Cap Sim. Expect wild beaches, forest, sand dunes, and a meal of grilled chicken or fish, salad, tea, and seasonal fruit. Guides mentioned include Mostafa and Abdoule, with a loaned djellaba shawl for sun, wind, and sand.
“Super 1/2 journée en compagnie d Abdoule un super guide génial, qui parle bien le français et qui donne beaucoup d explications . Nous avons passé un agréable moment en sa compagnie et celle des dromadaires. Génial à Refaire.”
Pick a dune, a medina, a valley or a hammam.
