Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
rocky breakwater. With a good selection of accommodation and great fish restaurants (the
town is particularly famous for its oysters), Oualidia is a weekend resort for Marrakshis
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.
Sights & Activities
The town is named after the Saadian Sultan el-Oualid, who in 1634 built the kasbah now
atmospherically crumbling on the bluff overlooking the lagoon. 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 trans-
port.
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
.
WATER SPORTS
Surfland
( 0523 36 61 10; Apr-mid-Nov)
Signposted left off the road to the beach, this is a well-
organised surfing school run by Moroccan surf champion Noureddine Joubir. Tuition is
Dh250/200 per adult/child for 1½ hours.
WATER SPORTS
Maison de l'Ostréa II
( 0523 36 63 24;
www.ilove-casablanca.com/ostrea
)
Oualidia is famous for its oyster beds,
which produce about 200 tonnes of oysters annually. You can visit oyster farm No 7 at
Maison de l'Ostréa II to see how it all works. Oysters (per dozen Dh180) and other sea-
food are available at the excellent restaurant attached. If you can't tear yourself away,
there are double rooms for Dh700. It's at the entrance of Oualidia on the Casablanca road.
TOUR
Sleeping & Eating
All hotels listed have their own restaurants. There are some slightly cheaper places lining
the road down to the beach, and other apartments and villas can be rented through numer-
