There’s nothing like a day at the beach, a visit to a local market, a stroll through an ancient medina or a tour of a museum, during a vacation in Morocco. Why not also combine entertainment and sport for an adrenalin shot?
Maroc Maker has listed five of the best activities for those who want to have fun while moving, whether it’s a visit to the mountains, a day at the beach or an excursion to the Sahara.
Sandboarding on the golden dunes
Morocco is renowned for its surfing and water sports spots. But few tourists know that it’s also possible to surf on the golden sand. Sandboarding is a thrill-seeking activity that involves gliding over dunes on specially designed boards, like a Saharan version of snowboarding. Many recommend Merzouga, some 50 km from the Algerian border. The eastern Moroccan town is known as the gateway to Erg Chebbi, a sea of sand dunes. 5 adventure in Morocco this summer
Sandboarders “can hurtle down the towering dunes on specially designed boards, as the fine golden sand makes for a smooth, fast glide”, reports Visit Morocco. Tourists can either rent equipment themselves and enjoy solo gliding over the wind-curved dunes, or opt for guided tours. Indeed, these outings usually include “all the equipment and instructions needed for beginners and experienced riders alike”, explains the Moroccan National Tourist Office (ONMT) on its website.
But beware of the scorching Sahara sun. When booking a sandboarding session, it’s best to schedule it early in the morning or late in the afternoon. It’s also an excellent opportunity to watch the sunrise and sunset. 5 adventure in Morocco this summer
Other sandboarders have another Erg on their list, Erg Chigaga or Edaya el-Hamra. Located in the Drâa-Tafilalet region, this is considered one of Morocco’s largest dune seas. It lies around 45 km west of the small rural oasis of M’Hamid El Ghizlane, itself around 98 km south of Zagora.
If you’re not a fan of the Sahara’s arid climate, you can always go sandboarding at the beach, not far from Agadir. An hour’s drive north of Agadir, it’s possible to plan a half-day sandboarding session. The tour includes an hour on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, with stopovers in surfing villages such as Taghazout and Tamri.
Sandboarding is practiced at Taboga Beach, a stretch of desert close to the beach. It’s 45 km from Taghazout and offers just as much height and slope for a good surf session. The site is “located in a 900-hectare protected area in the Souss-Massa region, declared the Tamri Site of Biological and Ecological Interest (SIBE)”, explains Blondie in Morocco. Sessions start at 600 dirhams per person.
A hot-air balloon ride in Marrakech
Once confined to the royal courts, this early-morning activity is now practiced all over the world. The first hot-air balloon flight in history took place in 1783, under the eyes of King Louis XVI and Queen Marie-Antoinette, at the Palace of Versailles. In Marrakech, summer visitors can book a flight with one of the companies that have been offering this aerial experience in Morocco for the past 30 years. The ochre city has become the capital of these high altitude outings, particularly in the Palmeraie.
It’s important to note that this is an activity for early risers. For a hot-air balloon ride, you’ll need to wake up as early as 4 a.m., when it’s still dark in the city, to get to the place where the flights are prepared. All companies offer flights between 4 and 5 a.m. in summer, and between 5 and 6 a.m. in winter. Passengers can watch the balloons being prepared on the ground, explains one of the companies.
Once airborne, you’ll reach an “altitude of up to around 1,000 meters to watch the sunrise, with a breathtaking view of the palm grove and Amazigh villages”, it adds. The flight lasts an hour, followed by a complimentary breakfast on landing and return to the city. Prices for this aerial escape range from 1,500 dirhams to 2,000 dirhams per person.
Paragliding with a breathtaking view
For air sports enthusiasts, Morocco has just the thing: a paragliding session with a bird’s-eye view of the desert. It’s in Agafay, a desert area some thirty kilometers south of the Ochre city, on the first heights of the High Atlas massif.
The trip starts from Marrakech for a half-day excursion, as offered by several specialized tourist agencies. First of all, the paragliding guide will welcome you and brief you before you jump off the cliff to fly over the sky. The teacher steers the paraglider, providing a peaceful journey for tourists. They can sit back and take in spectacular sights: the towering Atlas mountains, majestic Toubkal, the vast Agafay desert, and serene Lake Lalla Takerkoust. 5 adventure in Morocco this summer
Paragliding trips in Agafay can also be enjoyed at sunset. Most agencies offer paragliding trips and promise to document the experience. Prices start from 1,000 DH to around 1,500 DH per person.
For those with a more adventurous taste, skydiving is a worthwhile experience. While paragliding is launched on foot, with gliders using a large inflatable wing and actively controlling it to steer and gain altitude with the air currents, skydiving is more daring.
In north-central Morocco, at Beni Mellal, tandem skydiving is possible. The adventure begins like this: on arrival at the drop zone at the town’s airport, a 20-minute training session is mandatory before the jump. Instructors give a full briefing, fit you with a harness and provide protective eyewear.
Then it’s off to board the aircraft with the instructor. This is also the opportunity to enjoy the panoramic climb above the clouds, before being strapped securely into the harness, ready for an exhilarating experience. 5 adventure in Morocco this summer
The club offering the jump promises the thrill of stepping out of the plane and plunging back to earth at an exhilarating 200 km/h. The freefall should last around 60 seconds while the instructor skillfully deploys the parachute. A videographer captures the whole experience, from exit to parachute deployment. In total, the parachute descent should last 5 to 10 minutes before landing. Prices start from 2,500 dirhams.
A plunge into adventure
In addition to skydiving, you can also try scuba diving with breathing equipment. Thanks to the diverse marine life that abounds along its coasts, Morocco offers a variety of experiences. The best dive sites are located around Agadir, Dakhla, Essaouira and Casablanca, according to Surface Interval. Belyounech (near Tétouan) and Al Hoceïma, with its Mediterranean Sea, also offer the possibility of diving rich in discovery.
On the shores of Al Hoceima, experienced divers can explore the exciting Grotte d’Hercule or navigate the rocky terrain of La Cathédrale, encountering octopus, moray eels and barracuda. Beginners can relax at Le Rocher, a shallow dive site rich in marine life, or explore the underwater world of Le Tombant at a maximum depth of 20 meters. With clear waters and pleasant temperatures, Al Hoceïma caters for divers of all levels. 5 adventure in Morocco this summer
Prices range from 500 to 1,000 dirhams per dive, depending on the location and package chosen. In summer, the water is warmer and visibility is better for scuba diving in Morocco, but diving is possible all year round.
Whether you prefer the thrill of sandboarding, the serenity of hot-air ballooning or the adventure of scuba diving, your vacation in Morocco will take on a memorable dimension.
