The lagoon
Shallow, flat water and steady wind: one of the world's great kitesurfing spots, with schools for every level.
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Destination guide · The lagoon of the south
Dakhla
الداخلة، بين الصحراء والمحيط
Forty kilometres of flat turquoise water, white dunes dropping into the sea and a breeze that never stops: Dakhla is where fans fly south to swap the stadium for a kite.
Nearest host city
Agadir, a flight or a long day on the road
Airport
Dakhla (VIL), flights from Casablanca
Summer weather
Mild and windy, rarely above 30°C
Best for
Kitesurfing, windsurfing and lagoon trips
Don't miss
The White Dune
A bright sand dune at the water's edge; at low tide you can walk out across the sandbanks.
Dragon Island
A rocky islet in the lagoon, reached by boat, with flamingos often feeding nearby.
Asmaa hot springs
Natural warm water rising from the ground on the lagoon shore.
The oyster farms
Watch the oysters come out of the lagoon and taste them on the spot, minutes later.
The town seafront
An evening walk along the bay, with cafés, the fishing port and the sunset over the water.
Eat like a local
بصحتك
Oysters from the lagoon, fish from the port and Sahrawi tea. Five things to taste in Dakhla.
- Dakhla oystersRaw with lemon, straight from the lagoon farms
- Grilled fish and octopusFrom the morning catch at the port, cooked simply over charcoal
- Camel meatGrilled skewers or a slow tagine, the taste of the Sahrawi south
- Fish tagineWhite fish with tomatoes, peppers and preserved lemon
- Sahrawi teaThree glasses, poured from high until it foams, and never rushed
Where to stay
The lagoon camps
Bungalows and kite resorts on the shore, south of town.
The town centre
Hotels and apartments near the seafront, restaurants and the market.
Eco lodges
Quiet guesthouses between the dunes and the water, far from everything.
Run a riad or hotel in Dakhla?
Get listed for free in this guide and reach fans planning their trip.
Day trips from Dakhla
Half day
White Dune & Dragon Island
A boat trip across the lagoon with stops on the sandbanks.
Half day
A first kite lesson
Flat, shallow water makes the lagoon the easiest place to learn.
Full day
Imlili
Desert pools full of small fish, a few hours inland by 4x4.
Half day
Asmaa hot springs
A warm soak by the lagoon, easy to add to a boat trip.
Local tips
Book your flights early: seats to Dakhla are limited, and match weeks will be busy.
Bring a windproof layer: the wind is the reason people come, and evenings get cool.
Sunscreen, even with the breeze: the wind keeps you cool, but the southern sun burns fast.