Travel

Under the Sun of Dakhla

March 12, 2023

I never knew I suffered from winter blues until I laid on that sunbed and roasted myself for 4 hours on my first day in Dakhla, Morocco!

Yes, I know some have to google Dakhla when they hear about it, especially if you are not a kite surfer or a beach bum like me!
Dakhla is the capital of the Dakhla Wad Eddahab region in southern Morocco, nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the dunes of the Moroccan Sahara.
I arrived at night. At 2 am, I only could see the well-lit boulevard as I was leaving the airport. Things changed in the morning when I saw the Lagoon. Just glorious! It is an ecological treasure with its forty-seven kilometres that seem endless. It is a heaven for migrating birds, biodiversity and adventurous kite surfers, not to forget the colonies of flamingo birds.

Dakhla is a little jewel on the ocean.

how to get there

Royal Air Maroc

Getting to Dakhla is a smooth process but not a ride in the park. I flew from London on Royal Air Maroc. I had one stop on the way in Casablanca. The flight from London to Casa is relatively short and straightforward: three hours and twenty minutes, and so is the flight from Casa to Dakhla if we didn't have a delay at the airport. That flight is two hours. There are two daily flights from Casa to Dakhla, one in the morning and the second in the evening.
I took the same route on my way back.

Air Arabia

Air Arabia started its operation in Morocco and will fly from Tangier and Marrakech to Dakhla soon.

where to stay

Dakhla Hospitality

I was a guest of Dakhla Hospitality. It is a tourism and hospitality company based in the city. The company's mission is to provide high-quality accommodations, dining, and activity services to visitors of the Dakhla region.

The company runs several accommodations that range from luxury eco-lodges to budget-friendly guesthouses, including La Crique, West Point Dakhla, PK25 Dakhla, Les Dunes de Dakhla, Lagon Energy and Dakhla Attitude.

WestPoint Dakhla

For my first night, I stayed at Westpoint Dakhla. West Point Dakhla is a popular accommodation option in Dakhla on the oceanfront, and it is known for its comfortable rooms, beautiful setting, and excellent facilities. Forty two-story cottages build in a Balinese design right at the doorsteps of the waves. The construction blended with nature and adhered to an eco-friendly sandbag technique. This is a technique found in all the group's hotels.

The staff at West Point Dakhla were friendly and helpful, and they went out of their way to make guests feel welcome and comfortable.
One piece of advice, if you are a light sleeper, bring earplugs because the sound of the waves is loud. I didn't have this problem, and I found the sound of the waves relaxing and appealing. It serenaded me to sleep.

La Crique Nature & Spa

I spent the rest of my stay at La Crique. La Crique is located on the waterfront of Dakhla Bay, offering stunning views of the bay and the surrounding desert landscape. It's also close to the city centre, making exploring the local area convenient. What stunned the most was the greenery that contrasted with the surrounding desert! The landscape design is environmentally thoughtful. The landscaping team chose their plants carefully to minimize water use in a desert area and keep the lush and green effect.
This aspect of the landscape is a recurring theme in all Dakhla Hospitality accommodations.

Dakhla Attitude

Now, I didn't reside at the crown jewel, the Queen Mother as they call it, Dakhla Attitude, but I visited and watched the Kiters.

Coming into the compound to be treated with all these bungalows painted in blue and not any blue: Bleu Marjorelle, is uplifting. I can't get enough of that blue colour!

Dakhla Attitude is a bee hive, a Mecca for kite surfers, professional ones and beginners. Situated on the scenic Lagoon, the accommodations at different levels face the water. They can accommodate solo visitors and groups of people. Their staff is very experienced. I wanted to try my hand at kitesurfing, but I had just gotten out of a heel injury preventing me from participating in extreme sports.

Hey! I am not complaining; it is just an excuse to return!

where to eat

Pescador - West Point Dakhla

Pescador Dakhla is a popular seafood restaurant in Dakhla, known for its fresh fish and seafood dishes, which is sourced from the nearby Atlantic Ocean. The menu features a variety of dishes, including grilled fish, seafood paella, and seafood platters.

The restaurant has a casual and relaxed atmosphere, with indoor and outdoor seating options. The outdoor seating area offers views of the ocean, making it a great spot to enjoy a meal.

Excellent service: The staff at Pescador Dakhla are and attentive, making sure that guests have a pleasant dining experience.

The Beach Bar - Dakhla Attitude

The beach bar at Dakhla Attitude is a popular spot for guests and locals alike. It offers a relaxed and casual atmosphere with seating both indoors and outdoors, overlooking the beach and lagoon. The bar serves a variety of drinks, as well as light snacks and meals. Guests can enjoy refreshing drinks while lounging on the beach or watching kite surfers out on the water. The staff is friendly and welcoming, and the service is prompt.

I went there for a special night of lobsters and oyster with DJ Zak and a guest percussionist playing their tunes. I couldn't help but ask for the playlist. You can find it here on Spotify!

Lobster was one of the best i have ever had. It was cooked to perfection! While the oysters were so fresh you can still taste the sea water in them!

L' Ancre Des Gourmet - La Crique

L'Ancre des Gourmet is the signature restaurant at La Crique Dakhla and offers an upscale dining experience with a focus on seafood and Mediterranean cuisine. The restaurant is on the edge of the lagoon and has a beautiful outdoor terrace offering stunning views of the water and the surrounding desert landscape.

The menu at L'Ancre des Gourmet features a variety of fresh and locally sourced seafood, including fish, shellfish, and oysters. The dishes are beautifully presented and expertly prepared, focusing on simple yet bold flavours. Some standout dishes include grilled fish with lemon and herbs and fish tagine.

The service at L'Ancre des Gourmet is impeccable, with attentive and knowledgeable staff who are happy to provide recommendations and answer any questions about the menu.

The staff was so nice that they allowed me into their kitchen. I cooked with Chef Moustafa, a lobster with a cream sauce and camel meat tagine. I will post both recipes later on the website.

what to do

Hammam

Day one at Dakhla, even before hitting the water, I went to the Hammam!

A Moroccan hammam is a traditional public bathhouse that is an important part of Moroccan culture and daily life. The hammam is a place where people go to cleanse and relax, and it has a long history dating back to the Roman Empire. However at Sensoira Spa at La crique, the hammam is for individual use.

The steam rooms in Moroccan hammams are typically heated by wood fires or gas stoves. The high humidity and heat help to open pores and release toxins from the skin. One of the key features of a Moroccan hammam is the exfoliation process. I was scrubbed with a rough glove called a kessa, which helps to remove dead skin cells and impurities. I felt I lost one kilogram just from removing the dead skin!

I had a mix of local soap, baladi with henna, and a combination of herbs in addition to the ghassoul for my hair.

After the whole clensing process, i relaxed in the adjascent area with a cup of tea.

While you are there, don't forget to ask for Mariam. she is a gem!

Kitesurfing

Dakhla is one of the best kitesurfing destinations in the world, thanks to its steady winds, flat water, and vast lagoons.

It is blessed with ideal conditions for kitesurfing, including steady winds, flat water, and vast lagoons. The wind conditions are so reliable that the city hosts several international kitesurfing competitions throughout the year.

It also has a wide variety of spots for kitesurfing, from beginner-friendly shallow water to challenging waves for advanced riders. This makes it a great destination for kitesurfers of all levels.

There are several professional kitesurfing schools and rental centers at the different hotels , offering top-quality equipment, experienced instructors, and organized trips to the best spots. In addition to that, Dakhla host one leg of the Kitesurfing World Championship. This year it is between 26th of september and the 1st of october.

Kitesurfing in Dakhla offers breathtaking views of the Sahara Desert, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Dakhla Bay. It's a unique and memorable experience to kitesurf in such a stunning natural setting.

The Souk

The Souk in Dakhla is a must visit. It is a vibrant and colorful open-air market where locals and visitors can shop for a variety of goods, including fresh produce, spices, handicrafts, and souvenirs. The market is typically open in the morning and evening and is a great place to experience the local culture and interact with the friendly and welcoming people of Dakhla.

Walking through the Souk, you'll find vendors selling a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, including locally grown dates, figs, and citrus fruits. You'll also find a variety of spices, including saffron, cumin, and paprika, which are staples of Moroccan cuisine.

In addition to food items, the Souk also has vendors selling a variety of handmade goods, including textiles, pottery, and jewelry. These items make great souvenirs to take back home as a reminder of your trip to Dakhla.

One of the unique features of the Souk in Dakhla is the presence of women's cooperatives, where local women gather to produce and sell handmade textiles and handicrafts. These cooperatives provide important economic opportunities for women in the region and offer visitors a chance to purchase unique and authentic souvenirs.

Oyster Farms

I had read about Oyster farming in Dakhla and wanted to visit one of the farms, which i did. However, it was the high tide and didn't get to see any farming!

Dakhla is a prime location for oyster farming, and the industry has been growing in recent years. The waters around Dakhla are rich in nutrients and have ideal growing conditions for oysters. The lagoon's mix of salt and fresh water provides the perfect balance for oyster growth.

Oyster farming in Dakhla is done using sustainable practices to minimize environmental impact. Farmers use natural feed, and the oysters are grown on ropes suspended in the water, reducing the impact on the ocean floor. The oysters farmed in Dakhla are known for their high quality and delicious flavor. They are typically sold to local restaurants and markets, as well as exported to other countries.

share this post: