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We are going to be blunt. This is a hard tour to recommend. EUR44 for a two-hour horse ride in Essaouira with no free cancellation and a 4.5 rating, when Tour 84 offers five hours for EUR35 with a perfect 5.0 score and flexible booking terms. The numbers do not add up in this tour’s favour. But there is one detail worth knowing before you dismiss it entirely - this ride departs from Diabat village and uses Arabian-Barb horses, which is a different experience from the stable-based beach trots offered by competitors.
What actually happens
You meet at a stable in Diabat, the small village just south of Essaouira that sits at the edge of the dunes. The horses here are Arabian-Barb crosses - a traditional Moroccan breed that is lighter and more spirited than the heavier horses used by most tourist operations. After mounting up, you ride through the dunes behind Diabat, across open sandy terrain, and down to the beach. The route covers both inland dune landscapes and the shoreline, which gives more variety than a pure beach ride. Two hours passes quickly when the terrain keeps changing underfoot.
Our honest take
The Arabian-Barb horses are a genuine point of difference. These are not plodding tourist ponies - they are alert, responsive animals that experienced riders will appreciate. The Diabat starting point also means you get dune riding that other tours skip. However, none of that justifies the pricing when you compare directly. Tour 84 charges EUR35 for five hours with a 5.0 rating and free cancellation. This charges EUR44 for two hours with a 4.5 rating and no cancellation flexibility. The lack of free cancellation is the real dealbreaker - in a country where plans change constantly, locking in a non-refundable booking for a horse ride feels unnecessary when better alternatives exist. The 4.5 rating, while still positive, is the lowest among the Essaouira horse rides we have reviewed. Some of that may reflect the more spirited horses being given to beginners who were not ready for them.
Who should book this
- Experienced riders who specifically want Arabian-Barb horses rather than the calmer breeds used elsewhere
- Anyone who wants dune riding alongside beach riding - the Diabat route is the most varied in Essaouira
- Travellers who are certain of their dates and unbothered by the no-cancellation policy
Who should skip this
- Beginners - the spirited horses are a selling point for confident riders but a potential stress for novices
- Budget travellers - Tour 84 offers more hours, a better rating and a lower price
- Anyone whose plans might change - no free cancellation is a real drawback in Morocco
- Travellers comparing purely on value - this loses to every other Essaouira horse ride in our catalogue on price-per-hour
Before you book
Duration: 2 hours
Price: EUR44 per person
Cancellation: NO free cancellation - your booking is final.
Rating: 4.5/5 from 53 verified reviews
The honest comparison: Tour 84 offers 5 hours for EUR35, with a 5.0 rating and free cancellation. Tour 207 (same operator’s daytime ride) costs EUR30 for 2 hours with a 4.7 rating and free cancellation. This tour is the most expensive and lowest-rated horse ride in Essaouira. The only reason to book it is the Arabian-Barb horses and the Diabat dune route.
Practical tip: If you do book this, be honest about your riding ability. Arabian-Barb horses are more reactive than the gentle breeds used elsewhere. Ask for a calmer mount if you are not a confident rider.