LAGOONWATER SPORTS( 0523 38 80 00; www.mazaganbeachresort.com; r from Dh2900; ) Three kilometres
south of Azemmour is this resort, set on a lagoon and 7km of beautiful Haouzia beach. The
resort boasts several restaurants and bars, a nightclub, casino, golf course, spa and horse
riding. There are a couple of upmarket golf resorts between El-Jadida and Azemmour.
Information
Azemmour has several banks, a pharmacy and internet access at Capsys (off Pl du Souk; per
hr Dh7).
Getting There & Away
Trains now stop at Azemmour Halte, linking the town to El-Jadida (Dh15,20 minutes, seven
daily) and Casablanca (Dh31, 1¼ hours, seven daily).
A grand taxi to/from El-Jadida costs Dh10, a bus trip costs Dh5.Oualidia
POP 4200
The drive from El-Jadida to Oualidia along the coastal road, where the fields come down to the
wild shore of the ocean, is spectacular enough, but the view upon arrival is more than pleasing.
The delightful small-scale resort of Oualidia spreads around a gorgeous crescent-shaped
lagoon fringed with golden sands and protected from the wild surf of the ocean by a rocky
breakwater. A quiet backwater for many years, with a good selection of accommodation and
great fish restaurants, Oualidia is becoming increasingly chic as a weekend resort for
Marrakchis and Casablancais.
Out of season it is still quiet, with little more to do than relax, surf, swim and eat well, but
avoid the crowds in summer. A lot of building work is threatening to destroy the tranquil charm
of this stunning location.
Sights & Activities
The town is named after the Saadian Sultan el-Oualid, who built the atmospherically crumbling
kasbah on the bluff overlooking the lagoon in 1634. The lagoon also attracted Morocco’s royalty
and the grand villa on the water’s edge was Mohammed V’s summer palace. Most hotels and
restaurants are along the road to the beach (1km) – follow signs down beside the post office.
There are no taxis on this route, but hotels will arrange transport.
Lagoon
The safe, calm waters of the lagoon are perfect for swimming , sailing and fishing , while the
wide, sandy beach on either side of the breakwater is good for windsurfing and surfing .
Surfland
( 0523 36 61 10; Apr–mid-Nov) Signposted left off the road to the beach is a well-
organised surfing school run by Moroccan surf champion Noureddine Joubir. Tuition costs