Essaouira, on Morocco’s Atlantic coast, enjoys a mild oceanic climate with cool sea breezes, making it a pleasant destination year-round. Summers are warm and windy, winters are mild, and rainfall is generally low. Frequent sunshine, moderate temperatures, and a relaxed coastal atmosphere make Essaouira ideal for beach lovers, culture seekers, and wind sports enthusiasts.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Essaouira’s climate is shaped by its Atlantic location, resulting in mild temperatures throughout the year and a refreshing sea breeze that keeps summers comfortable. Average daytime highs range from 18–19°C in winter to 23–25°C in summer, while nighttime lows rarely fall below 10°C, even in the coldest months. The ocean current and frequent winds protect the city from the intense heat experienced inland, although rare heatwaves can push summer temperatures above 30°C, and occasionally over 40°C, especially in July and August. Even so, these extremes are less common than in other Moroccan coastal cities.
Rainfall is modest, with the wettest months from November to February, each typically seeing 30–65 mm of rain. Summers (June to September) are very dry, with little to no precipitation. Annual rainfall averages around 300 mm, and snow is virtually unheard of. Sunshine is abundant, with 8–10 hours per day from May to September, and even in winter, 6–7 hours are common. Mornings in summer often bring fog or mist, which usually clears by midday. Winds are a defining feature, especially in summer, making Essaouira a hotspot for windsurfing and kitesurfing. The sea remains cool, with temperatures ranging from 16°C in winter to 20°C in late summer, making swimming brisk but refreshing. Overall, Essaouira’s climate is stable, mild, and ideal for outdoor activities and cultural exploration.
| Average climate data for Essaouira, Morocco | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 19 | 22 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 11 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 52 | 37 | 40 | 35 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 25 | 73 | 64 | 340 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 9 | 8 | 59 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 81 | 80 | 80 | 82 | 81 | 85 | 86 | 87 | 85 | 83 | 80 | 81 | 83 |
| Average water temperature (°C) | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 18 | 19 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 6 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 8 |
| Average UV index | 3 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 7 |
The best time to visit Essaouira is from May to October, when rainfall is minimal, sunshine is abundant, and temperatures are comfortably warm. This period is perfect for beach activities, windsurfing, and exploring the medina. Early summer and autumn offer the most pleasant weather with fewer crowds and ideal conditions for outdoor adventures.
The least favourable time to visit Essaouira is from November to February, when rainfall is at its highest and nights can feel chilly due to the wind. While winters remain mild compared to inland Morocco, frequent showers and strong breezes can limit outdoor activities and beach enjoyment.
Essaouira has a mild oceanic climate with warm, windy summers and mild, wetter winters. Temperatures are stable year-round, and the city enjoys abundant sunshine and low rainfall, especially from May to October.
The best beach weather is from May to October, when temperatures are warm, sunshine is plentiful, and rainfall is minimal. Summer is also ideal for windsurfing and kitesurfing due to frequent sea breezes.
Rainfall in Essaouira is generally low, with the wettest months being November to February. Even then, rain is moderate and rarely disrupts travel plans. Summers are very dry, with little to no rain.
Yes, Essaouira is famous for its strong sea breezes, especially in summer. The wind keeps temperatures comfortable and creates excellent conditions for windsurfing and kitesurfing, but can make evenings feel chilly.
Summer highs in Essaouira typically reach 23–25°C, but rare heatwaves can push temperatures above 30°C. The Atlantic breeze usually keeps the city much cooler than inland Morocco.
The Atlantic sea remains cool year-round, with temperatures from 16°C in winter to 20°C in late summer. Swimming is possible but brisk, and wetsuits are recommended for longer swims or water sports.
Bring layers, a windproof jacket, and sun protection. Even in summer, evenings can be cool due to the wind. A jumper or light jacket is useful year-round, and rain gear is recommended for winter visits.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is September (22 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (18.1 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 19.9 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is September (17.5 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (11.1 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 14.6 °C.
The month with the highest average water temperature is September (21.6 °C). The month with the lowest average water temperature is February (17.1 °C). Overall, the average water temperature over the whole year is 19.3 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is November (72.5 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is July (0.1 mm). Over the whole year there are 339.9 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is November (8.6 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is July (0.1 days). Over the whole year there are 59.3 days of rain on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is August (86.7 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is February (80.2 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 82.6 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 14 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 10 h). Over the whole year there are 11.9 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is June (Average sunshine: 9.2 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is December (Average sunshine: 5.9 h). Over the whole year there are 7.7 h of sunlight per day on average.
The month with the highest average UV index is July (UV index: 11). The months with the lowest average UV index are January and December (UV index: 3). Over the whole year the average UV index is 7.
