Essaouira · Month comparison
April vs May
May ranks #1 overall vs April at #3. Best all-round month — 21C, almost no rain, wind manageable till midday, riad rates not yet at summer peak.
April
#3 of 12 months
Best match
Sweet-spot shoulder — 20C, manageable wind before summer Alizé surge, Easter brings a brief crowd then it eases.
- ↑Mornings calm enough for a full sit-down breakfast on the ramparts
- ↑Argan blossoms across the inland argan forests
May
#1 of 12 months
Best match
Best all-round month — 21C, almost no rain, wind manageable till midday, riad rates not yet at summer peak.
- ↑Sea temp climbing to 18C — surf possible in 3/2 wetsuit
- ↑Morning calm allows breakfast on the ramparts and a beach walk before wind picks up
| Factor | April | May |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 8 | 9 |
| Value score | 7 | 6 |
| Crowd score | 6 | 5 |
| Events score | 4 | 5 |
| Atmosphere | 9 | 9 |
| Avg high temp | 20°C | 21°C |
| Monthly rain | 20mm | 7mm |
| Daily sunshine | 9hrs | 10hrs |
April trade-offs
- ↓Easter week Spanish/French crowds spike for 10 days
- ↓Afternoon wind already at 25-30 km/h — beach uncomfortable by 15:00
- ↓Ramadan-affected years see reduced lunch options
May trade-offs
- ↓Kitesurf schools busiest as Europeans descend for half-term break
- ↓Boutique riad rates jumping 20-30% vs April
- ↓Top riads (Heure Bleue, La Sultana) require 6-8 week lead time
Scores compare months within Essaouira. Climate data: Open Meteo ERA5 30-year normals (1991–2020). Methodology →