Occupying a narrow peninsula that juts into the Atlantic Ocean, Dakhla is a popular kitesurfing hub in Western Sahara. It has been inhabited by Berbers for centuries and was settled by the Spanish in the 19th century in a bid to control Barbary pirate attacks in the Canary Islands’ fisheries. Since the 1970s, Dakhla has been claimed by both Mauritania and Morocco.
Things to do in Dakhla
Stroll through the centre of Dakhla to admire Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, a modern Catholic temple built by the Spaniards during colonial rule. It overlooks the palm-fringed Jardin Public and is a short stroll from Dakhla’s bustling pier. On the other side of the city is the Assona Mosque with its soaring minaret.
Want to learn how to kitesurf? There are plenty of places in Dakhla where you can rent equipment or book a lesson with experienced local instructors. Most operators head to the northern end of the Bahia de Dakhla near La Dune Blanche, where the conditions are most favourable. There are impressive views of this white dune from the water or it can be visited on a 4x4 tour.
Another popular activity in Dakhla is quad biking to explore the desert-like landscapes that surround the city. Discover the rugged scenery of Point d’Or Beach and drive along the sparkling lagoon where kite surfers can be seen doing aerial tricks. Thanks to Dakhla’s west-facing setting, quad biking at sunset is particularly impressive.
Getting around Dakhla
Dakhla Airport is the main aviation gateway to the city and has flights to Paris, the Canary Islands and destinations across Morocco. Long-distance buses connect from Casablanca and Marrakech to Dakhla and the city centre is compact enough to explore on foot. Bicycles are also a popular way of getting around.