Essaouira · Month comparison
March vs May
May ranks #1 overall vs March at #5. Best all-round month — 21C, almost no rain, wind manageable till midday, riad rates not yet at summer peak.
March
#5 of 12 months
Best match
Shoulder begins — 19C and drier, European spring-break visitors arriving in trickle, medina cafes filling again.
- ↑Sun returns — 9 hrs daily, perfect for the 2km Skala rampart walk
- ↑Hotel rates still 30% below summer peak
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 | March | May |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 7 | 9 |
| Value score | 8 | 6 |
| Crowd score | 7 | 5 |
| Events score | 4 | 5 |
| Atmosphere | 8 | 9 |
| Avg high temp | 19°C | 21°C |
| Monthly rain | 32mm | 7mm |
| Daily sunshine | 9hrs | 10hrs |
March trade-offs
- ↓Wind already strengthening — beach umbrellas struggle by afternoon
- ↓Ramadan can fall in March/April — daytime restaurant hours change
- ↓Sea temperature still 17C — full wetsuits required
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 →