Considered the “oyster capital” of Morocco, Oualidia is a whitewashed fishing village on Morocco’s Atlantic coast. It overlooks a tranquil lagoon and was a favourite getaway for Mohammed V. His former villa stands alongside a 17th-century kasbah designed by the Saadian Sultan El Oualid, after whom the village is named.
Kick back on the sands of El Oualidia Plage, which can be accessed on foot at low tide and becomes an island as the water rises. You can swim or jet ski in the calm waters facing the village or surf the waves on the Atlantic side. When it’s time to eat, grab freshly shucked oysters from the waterside farms or dine at Oualidia’s relaxed seafood restaurants.
Oualidia’s coastal wetlands provide an important resting area for migrating birds, with sightings best in spring and autumn. In addition to pink flamingos, stilts and avocets, you can spot egrets, warblers and terns.
Getting there
Oualidia is around an hour’s drive from both Safi and El Jadida while Casablanca Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport is just over two hours away. Buses connect from destinations along Morocco’s Atlantic coast to Oualidia and the village is small enough to explore on foot.