Ocean Vagabond Essaouira — Salt Water Elements

A watersports base set on the sand of Boulevard Mohammed V, facing Essaouira bay and the Mogador islands. It is the institution of the town beach, and it trades under three names at the same address: the water base operates as Salt Water Elements by Ocean Vagabond, the reception, bar and restaurant as Ocean Vagabond, and the international ION Club network sells the centre from its own site as « OV Essaouira », listed among its ION Club & Friends partners. The manager on site is Martin Rousson, who has lived in Essaouira for more than twenty years.

Lessons and rental for kitesurfing, wingfoiling, windsurfing, surfing and stand up paddle, private or semi-private, on Duotone and Fanatic gear largely renewed every year: current-season wings, boards, foils, masts and booms, around sixty surfboards from 5'2 to a 9'3 longboard, and a dozen SUPs from a 12'6 downwind race board to an 8'0 wave SUP. Wetsuit, harness, leash, impact vest and helmet are provided, and your own gear can be stored on site. The bay is shallow in front of the centre with starboard side-shore wind, and the waves break a little further out. Instructors speak French, English and Arabic; children are taken from twelve, with a dedicated « Surf & Play » course.

On site: bar, Mediterranean restaurant open from morning to night, shop, showers, changing rooms, lockers, wifi, compressor, free filtered water, a kids' play area, a beach lifeguard post and a rescue boat. The centre does not provide accommodation itself: ION Club sells packages with four partner addresses in Essaouira — Riad Zahra, Vent des Dunes, Dar Loussia and Villa Quieta. Bookings and WhatsApp on +212 6 18 16 84 72; the restaurant has its own line, +212 5 24 78 43 67.

The Salt Water Elements base is open every day, 10 am to 6 pm.

Seasonal hours published by ION Club: June to August 10 am-6.30 pm, November to February 10 am-5 pm, the rest of the year 10 am-6 pm. The season is announced as year-round, with the best wind from May to September; lessons are mostly given in the morning, as the thermal breeze reinforces the trade winds in the afternoon in summer.

The Ocean Vagabond restaurant is open daily from 9 am to 10.30 pm.