Essaouira · Month comparison
February vs May
May ranks #1 overall vs February at #9. Best all-round month — 21C, almost no rain, wind manageable till midday, riad rates not yet at summer peak.
February
#9 of 12 months
Best match
Still off-season — riads cheap, medina relaxed, occasional sunny windows make this a stealth-good month for fish-grill lunches.
- ↑Grilled sardines at the port stalls for MAD 30 with the local crowd
- ↑Sun breaks between storms — 8 hrs daily on clear days
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 | February | May |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 5 | 9 |
| Value score | 9 | 6 |
| Crowd score | 8 | 5 |
| Events score | 3 | 5 |
| Atmosphere | 7 | 9 |
| Avg high temp | 18°C | 21°C |
| Monthly rain | 47mm | 7mm |
| Daily sunshine | 8hrs | 10hrs |
February trade-offs
- ↓Atlantic still rough — beach walks chilly, often deserted
- ↓Some boutique riads close 2-3 weeks for refurbishment in February
- ↓Kitesurf schools running reduced hours
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 →