What should I pack for a Morocco beach trip?

Morocco's Atlantic beach towns — Essaouira above all, plus Agadir, Taghazout and the surf coast — call for a slightly different list than people expect, because the coast is breezy and noticeably cooler than the baking interior. Yes, you pack swimwear, but the headline item I always flag is a windproof or light jacket and a few warm layers, because the Atlantic wind that makes Essaouira a kitesurfing capital also makes its evenings genuinely cool, even in summer. People arrive in beach mode and are surprised to need a sweater at dinner on the ramparts.

Swimwear here comes with a modesty footnote. On the beach itself, normal swimsuits and bikinis are fine in the tourist resorts, but the moment you walk back into town you should cover up — a kaftan, sarong, kaftan-style cover-up or a loose dress over your swimwear keeps you comfortable and respectful in what are still fairly traditional towns. I pack a cover-up that doubles as a normal outfit so it pulls double duty. The water is cooler than the Mediterranean and the sun is strong, so a rash vest is a smart addition for swimming or surfing and saves your shoulders.

Footwear for a beach trip means two pairs: sandals or flip-flops for the sand and seafront, and comfortable closed walking shoes for exploring Essaouira's lovely medina and ramparts, which are cobbled like any other Moroccan town. Sun protection is essential and easy to underestimate by the sea, where the breeze masks how much sun you are getting — pack a hat, sunglasses, strong reef-safe SPF and lip balm. A quick-dry beach towel, a dry-bag for the windblown sand and a refillable water bottle round out the beach kit.

A couple of coast-specific extras earn their place. If you are there to surf or kitesurf, most schools rent wetsuits and boards, so you need not lug your own, but pack any personal gear like wetsuit boots if you have them. The wind blows fine sand everywhere, so a zip-lock or dry-bag for your phone and camera is wise. And do still bring a couple of warm evening layers and a scarf — between the sea breeze, the cooler Atlantic climate and the conservative-town cover-up rule, a beach trip in Morocco is less of a sun-lounger holiday and more an atmospheric coastal break that rewards packing for variety rather than just for the sand.