The western coast of Morocco has long been a magnet for water sports enthusiasts – the brisk winds blowing in from the Atlantic whip up sizeable waves that beg to be surfed. The newly opened Caravan Dakhla, a mini village of tents and villas, is the latest accommodation to appeal to the surfer set, but with the added appeal of upmarket luxury and a commitment to sustainability.
The vibe here is relaxed and playful, with a strong emphasis on adventure and activity. Kitesurfing is a key element – Caravan Dakhla has partnered with kitesurfing brand Naish to open a kitesurf school with professional instructors happy to tutor all levels. Mountain-biking, camel rides and desert tours are just a few of the other options available, and the nearby mini-city of Dakhla bustles with life and history. The retreat works closely with the local community, not only sourcing local products for its restaurant but collaborating with regional artists on art projects and hiring local DJs to man the decks as the sun goes down over the twinkling lagoon. A surfer’s paradise in the true sense.
Highs
- Sustainability – the whole place is run on renewable energy, no single-use plastics are allowed, and waste is treated and kept to a minimum. Additionally, for every guest, the Caravan donates to its RISE fund that supports local environmental and social causes
- The food and the restaurant get rave reviews, and all meals are included in the rates
- Great atmosphere – you can retreat to the privacy of your room, or mingle by the pool soaking up the sun and sounds. There’s even an outdoor cinema at night or beers by the bonfire, plus spiritual welcome rituals
- The large pool surrounded by a terrace overlooking the lagoon
- Dakhla is one of the world's best destinations for kitesurfing and windsurfing due to the consistent winds and relatively shallow water
Lows
- Despite the golden beaches and crystal clear water, the wind beloved by the kitesurfers means relaxing by the sea or lagoon is almost impossible. You can feel like you’re in the middle of a sandstorm
- The remote southern location on the edge of the Western Sahara desert means you'll mostly likely need to fly in from Agadir or Casablanca
- Exploring the surrounding environment can be difficult without an experienced guide or a sturdy vehicle
- Although all ages are welcome, it's better suited to older, active kids than young children
Best time to go
Dakhla has a temperate year-round climate so you won’t experience extreme heat as in other areas of the Sahara. July-November are the warmest months, although it’s generally dry most of the year except September. The best time to go for kitesurfing is April – November. It can, however, be fairly windy a lot of the time, so do pack a few warmer items. Caravan Dakhla is open year-round.
Our top tips
Definitely try to make time for a trip to the Atlantic side of the peninsula for the golden sands of the Point d'Or, and the famous White Dune – a spectacular ridge surrounded by ocean at high tide which is often home to migratory birds including flamingos.
- Boutique Resort
- 24 rooms
- Full Board
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
Rooms
There are 24 rooms in total, in four different styles – Desert Riad, Dune Villa, Lagoon Loft and Oasis Villa – and all have king-sized beds.
The Oasis Villas are the largest of the rooms offered. Overlooking the lagoon and the desert, they have lounge areas, outside stone showers and large private wooden decks, and can sleep up to three people.
The Lagoon Lofts are only slightly smaller, and glass-fronted to maximise the spectacular views across the water. They too have lounge areas, outdoor showers and private decks.
The Dune Villas overlook the desert and can sleep up to four people. The six Desert Riads are the smallest and nestle around the central courtyard, and they feature walls of tadelakt (a natural lime-based plaster).
All the rooms are designed to echo the surrounding landscape. Furnished with sustainable materials and natural fabrics, designed in earthy tones (shades of sand and rock), and populated with local artworks, the vibe is desert chic.
Features include:
- Bathrobes
- Cots available
- WiFi
Eating
Onsite Levante Restaurant offers you breakfast, lunch and dinner each day (all rates are full board). Expect delicious, fresh and imaginative Moroccan cuisine with a Latin American twist.
The a la carte breakfast menu includes some light and healthy dishes – guacamole on toast with poached eggs and roasted peppers, or surf toast with goat's cheese, fried eggs and mushrooms. Signature bowls include chocolate smoothies with dates and peanuts, or poached eggs with spinach and cucumber salad. Mains might be a burrito, roasted chicken with sweet potato, or protein of the day with roasted vegetables. Whichever you choose you're set up for the day.
Oysters are a major offer around these parts, noted for their medium size and mild taste. Have them on their own or with sesame seeds, soy sauce, harissa, beetroot hummus or even guacamole. There’s often an oyster buffet.
The local food is a marriage of Berber, Moorish and Arab influences so expect plenty of tagines with lamb, chicken and aromatic spices, as well as other hearty stews. Grilled octopus and sardines are a staple of most menus, as are b’stilla – a sweet and savoury pastry filled with chicken, almonds and cinnamon. There's also a good selection of juices and smoothies.
Do note, however, that while you can buy alcohol in the Caravan Dakhla, it isn’t widely available everywhere; bars are few, and drinking in public is frowned upon.
Features include:
- Bar
- Restaurant
Activities
- Kitesurfing lessons at the Naish kitesurfing school are an obvious option, but Caravan Dakhla also offers extras via its Surf Wellness Clinic, including barrel saunas, cold plunges, Extreme Performance Training, primal flow movement, yoga, massages and breathwork
- Nearby Dakhla has an old town that’s wonderful for exploring, with its winding backstreets, traditional houses and produce markets. There’s a small souk where you can buy fabrics, slippers, teas, acacia sap and Moroccan earthenware
- There’s a host of tours to choose from – everything from quad-biking to camel tours, mountain-biking and off-roading to desert safaris and lagoon cruises
- Dakhla Bay is a secluded wonderland for thousands of migratory birds including pink flamingos
- Take time for tea – and we do mean time. Sahawari tea is a proud local custom and worth experiencing at least once. It includes a lot of pouring and drinking (3-4 glasses that all taste slightly different). And it won’t be rushed. Some sessions can take well over an hour
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Birdwatching
- Boat trips
- Kitesurfing
- Private guided tours
- SUP
- Surfing
- Swimming
- Windsurfing
- Yoga
Kids
Although all ages are welcome, it's better suited to older, active kids than young children.
Best for:
Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
Dune Villas can take up to four guests on extra beds. Lagoon Lofts and Oasis Villas can also take an extra bed and can sleep a family of four.
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available
Distances:
- Airport: 30 minutes
- Shops: 25 minutes
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Caravan Dakhla is about 20km outside Dakhla, a small city located in the Western Sahara region of Morocco, in the far south on the Atlantic coast.
By Air:
The nearest airport is Dakhla Airport (VIL), which is served by direct domestic flights (approx. 2 hrs) from Agadir and Casablanca. International flights to Dakhla are limited, with direct flights from Paris and Las Palmas on Gran Canaria.
From the Airport:
Airport transfers are available to and from Caravan Dakhla, and there’s a car rental at the airport.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Dakhla Airport 28.0 km VIL
- Agadir Al-Massira International Airport 1156.0 km AGA
Other:
- Beach 1.0 km
- Shops 25.0 km
- Restaurant 22.0 km