Essaouira · Month comparison
December vs May
May ranks #1 overall vs December at #10. Best all-round month — 21C, almost no rain, wind manageable till midday, riad rates not yet at summer peak.
December
#10 of 12 months
Strong option
Christmas-New Year European escape — 19C, riad rates briefly spike for festive week, otherwise quiet wet winter.
- ↑Last week sees Christmas/NYE atmosphere — Heure Bleue and Madada festive dinners
- ↑Wind calmest of the year — beach walks finally possible all day
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 | December | May |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 5 | 9 |
| Value score | 6 | 6 |
| Crowd score | 5 | 5 |
| Events score | 5 | 5 |
| Atmosphere | 8 | 9 |
| Avg high temp | 19°C | 21°C |
| Monthly rain | 50mm | 7mm |
| Daily sunshine | 7hrs | 10hrs |
December trade-offs
- ↓Festive week (Dec 26-Jan 2) rates 2x normal — book by October
- ↓4-6 storm days/month with cold Atlantic rain
- ↓Cold evenings at 10C — many riads have only space heaters
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 →