3-Hour Sunset Camel Ride in Essaouira

A perfect score. 338 people booked this camel ride along Essaouira’s Atlantic beach at sunset and not a single one rated it below five stars. That is almost unheard of for any tourist experience anywhere in the world. Essaouira’s coastline at golden hour is genuinely one of Morocco’s most beautiful sights, and sitting on a camel as the sun drops into the ocean turns out to be an unreasonably good way to witness it.

What actually happens

You meet your guide at a location of your choosing in Essaouira. Before mounting up, you are given a djellaba (traditional Moroccan robe) and a cheche (headscarf) to wear - partly for the aesthetic, partly because the Atlantic wind along Essaouira’s coast is no joke. After a briefing on how to sit and handle a camel, you set off along the beach. The route takes you through wild beaches, past dunes, and alongside forest edges. About an hour in, there is a break for Moroccan mint tea, homemade bread with argan oil, and cakes. Then you continue riding as the sun begins its descent. The final stretch is timed so you are on the beach as sunset reaches its peak. The full experience runs roughly three hours including the tea break and briefing.

Our honest take

The 5.0 rating is the headline, and it is legitimate - 338 reviews without a single dip below perfect is remarkable. The operator clearly understands that timing is everything with this product. Get the sunset wrong and it is just a camel ride on a beach. Get it right and it is the photograph that defines someone’s Morocco trip. The djellaba and cheche are a smart touch - they look great in photos and solve the practical problem of wind and sand. EUR45 is fair for three hours that include tea, snacks, and equipment. Essaouira’s beach is wide, wild, and largely empty compared to Agadir’s resort-lined coast, which makes this feel more authentic than similar rides elsewhere. The honest downsides: camels are not comfortable. Three hours is a long time in a saddle if you have never ridden one, and you will feel it in your legs and back the next day. The wind can also turn from refreshing to genuinely cold, especially in winter months.

Who should book this

• Anyone visiting Essaouira who wants the signature experience of the town
• Photographers - the light, the costumes, the empty beach, and the camels make this absurdly photogenic
• Couples looking for a romantic experience that does not feel manufactured
• Families with older children who will enjoy the adventure

Who should skip this

• Anyone with back or hip problems - three hours on a camel is physically demanding
• Visitors who dislike animals being used for tourism - if this is a concern for you, this is not the experience to book
• People who feel the cold badly - Essaouira’s wind chill in the evenings can be sharp, even with the djellaba
• Very young children - three hours is a long time, and camels are tall

Before you book

Duration: 3 hours (including briefing and tea break)

Price: From EUR45 per person

Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before - useful given that Essaouira’s weather can be unpredictable.

Rating: 5.0/5 from 338 verified reviews

Practical tip: Bring your phone fully charged - you will want every percentage of battery for photographs. Wear long trousers to avoid chafing from the saddle.