Essaouira · Month comparison
August vs May
May ranks #1 overall vs August at #12. Best all-round month — 21C, almost no rain, wind manageable till midday, riad rates not yet at summer peak.
August
#12 of 12 months
Strong option
Moroccan vacation peak — entire families from Casablanca and Marrakech rent apartments for the month, town is buzzing but rates max.
- ↑Late-evening medina life till 01:00 — families eating outdoors at port stalls
- ↑Surf swells still consistent — beginner-friendly summer waves at Sidi Kaouki
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 | August | May |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 6 | 9 |
| Value score | 3 | 6 |
| Crowd score | 2 | 5 |
| Events score | 5 | 5 |
| Atmosphere | 8 | 9 |
| Avg high temp | 23°C | 21°C |
| Monthly rain | 1mm | 7mm |
| Daily sunshine | 11hrs | 10hrs |
August trade-offs
- ↓Riad rates remain at July peak — last week of August biggest queues
- ↓Afternoon wind unchanged at 40+ km/h — beach umbrellas useless
- ↓Local restaurants serving primarily Moroccan family clientele can mean long waits
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 →