Thrusting out into the Atlantic Ocean on a spit of land, the area around Dakhla has long, sunbleached beaches that are warmed by the sub-tropical sunshine and, even better, are surprisingly quiet. The beaches are primarily used as launch points for people enjoying the fantastic water sports on offer in the huge, turquoise Dakhla lagoon. It’s one of the greatest spots in the world for both kite and windsurfing, with strong winds blowing consistently along the shoreline.

Of course, nowhere is truly empty and you can find all sorts of wildlife here – flamingos and crabs live in the area, and the occasional dolphin pops its head out of the surf to see what’s going on. Don’t forget to visit Dragon Island, an offshore dune shaped as a dragon when seen from the side, which is said to be magical, unspoiled and a perfect place to find peace. You can go by boat, swim or walk at low tide.

The Sahara desert covers 3.6 million miles, has dunes up to four hundred feet high, and over twelve hundred different species of plants. It’s a fascinating place to explore and one of the best places to do this is from Dakhla.

You can trek into the western portion of the desert on foot, camel, or rather more quickly by quad bike or air-conditioned 4X4. You’ll be in the area where the desert meets the ocean, so when you find the heat of the Sahara too much to bear it’s only a short trip back to the coast where the temperatures are far more comfortable.

When it comes to eating in Dakhla you’ll discover there is a wonderful menu of amazing dishes, just waiting for you to try.
It’s a place where the local cuisine ranges from the familiar to the exotic. Somewhere that you can eat T-Bone steak and hamburgers one day and tajine or some spiced camel the next.

Of course, as Dakhla is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, it’s a town where seafood is king of the kitchen. Freshly caught seabass, prawns, local oysters, royal lobsters, calamari and plenty of other delicious fish is hauled onto the beaches every morning before being transported to the local restaurants and markets to make that day’s delicious meals.

The town of Dakhla is on a narrow spit of land that juts out into the Atlantic Ocean and runs parallel to the coastline. This fortuitous piece of geography means it’s a kitesurfer’s dream, with calm waters on the east side of the peninsula and the exhilarating waves of the Atlantic on the other.

The wonderful blue lagoon that is formed in the narrow channel is ideal for picking up kitesurfing basics and improving your skills. On the western side there are plenty of spots for more experienced surfers too, hence the many international competitions that take place here.

It’s the wind that makes Dakhla so perfect for kitesurfing. Averaging around 20-35 knots it’s almost unbelievably consistent – even in December and January it’s still 60% reliable. Waves reach around two metres, and are usually bigger during the summer. Add that to the long, sandy, obstacle-free beaches and the wonderfully warm water and you’ll understand why this Moroccan town has become so popular with kite surfers.

If you’re one of the thousands of people planning to travel around Morocco on the back of a motorbike then Dakhla should be a key part of your itinerary. The journey to the long thin peninsula is a stunning ride through unspoilt desert, mainly along coast roads which give you uninterrupted views out over the Atlantic. Occasionally the road veers inland and takes you through traditional Moroccan villages where the temperature soars. Mostly though it will be just you, the road, the sea and the desert. And when you finally reach the town of Dahkla it feels as though you’ve arrived at a secret oasis, such is the epic nature of your journey.

Living in the Sahara Desert while surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the inhabitants of Dakhla are a people shaped by their unique environment.

The area has been inhabited by the Amazigh since ancient times, but there is a noticeable Spanish influence in the town as it was settled (and possibly even founded) by them during the sixteenth and seventeenth century. The pace of life is slow and relaxed, in tune with the rhythm of the ocean. Now that Dakhla is coming to the world’s attention as one of the top surf spots on the globe, a steady stream of western surfers are coming to the region, their laidback lifestyle fitting Dakhla perfectly.