Can you ride horses on the beach in Morocco?

Essaouira is the place that made beach riding a Moroccan classic, and for good reason — it has a huge, flat, windswept Atlantic beach that sweeps south of the medina toward the dunes and the Oued Ksob river mouth, with the ruined Borj el Berod fort (the supposed inspiration for a famous Hendrix song) out on the sands. Local stables run rides for all levels, from a gentle walk along the shoreline to a proper canter where the beach opens up. Trotting along the surf line with the wind off the ocean is exactly as romantic as it sounds.

Some Essaouira operators also offer Arabian and Barb horses (Morocco's prized native breed), and longer half-day rides that head inland through the argan groves and the dunes behind the beach as well as along the sand. If you're a confident rider, ask for a route with room to canter; if you're a nervous beginner, the wide flat beach is one of the most relaxing places imaginable to ride, with a guide leading at a walk.

Beyond Essaouira, you can ride on the beaches near Agadir and the surf village of Taghazout to the north, and on the quieter Atlantic sands around El Jadida and Oualidia further up the coast. Camel rides are offered on these beaches too, but horses give you the freedom to actually move along the shore. Inland, there are also lovely rides in the Palmeraie just outside Marrakech if the coast isn't on your route.

My recommendation every time: book the sunset slot. A late-afternoon ride along Essaouira beach as the light turns gold and the sun sinks into the Atlantic is one of the most memorable hours you can have on the coast, and it's gentle, accessible and suitable for families. Wear long trousers and closed shoes, bring a windproof layer (the Essaouira breeze is constant — it's why the windsurfers love it), and you're set.