Horseback Riding in Essaouira — Beach & Argan Forest Trails
Trot or gallop along the shoreline, or thread through the argan forest inland — routes suited to first-timers and confident riders alike, with the horse matched to your experience.
There are two rides here and they are genuinely different. The coastal route runs south from Diabat along open beach, where the sand is firm enough to canter and there is nothing between you and the Atlantic. The forest route heads inland into the argan groves — shaded, quiet, technical in places, with tracks winding between trees that only grow in this part of the world and goats that occasionally climb them.
Which one you get depends on your riding, and we ask properly before you book. Complete beginners do the coastal route at a walk and trot, with a guide leading if needed. Riders who can rise to the trot and are comfortable in canter get the beach at speed. Confident riders can do the forest, which needs more independent control. Nobody is put on a horse they cannot handle, and nobody is stuck at a walk because someone else in the group is nervous — we split groups by level.
Our horses are mostly Barb and Arab-Barb crosses, the traditional North African breeds — sure-footed, sensible in sand and used to the beach environment, including the wind and the sound of surf that unsettles horses unaccustomed to it. They are stabled locally, ridden daily and rested properly.
Helmets are provided and we ask you to wear one. Long trousers are essential — riding in shorts on any horse for any distance is a mistake you make exactly once. Boots with a small heel are ideal; if you do not have them, trainers work.
Sunset on the beach is the standout, same as with the camels. The difference is that on a horse you can cover real ground, and the moment the light goes gold and you get a canter along an empty beach with the spray coming off the shore break is the reason people book this twice.
What's included
- Horse matched to your level and size
- Riding helmet
- Local guide, groups split by riding ability
- Choice of coastal or argan forest route
- Hotel pickup in Essaouira and Diabat, on request
- Photos from your ride
What to bring
- Long trousers — jeans or riding leggings, not shorts
- Closed shoes with a small heel if you have them
- Sunglasses and sunscreen
- A light windproof layer
- Water
Meeting point
We pick you up from your riad, hotel or apartment anywhere in Essaouira or Diabat — just send us the address on WhatsApp when you book.
Questions about this activity
I have never ridden a horse. Can I do this?
Yes. Beginners take the coastal route at walk and trot with a guide alongside, and we spend time on the basics before you set off — how to sit, hold the reins, stop and steer. Most first-timers are trotting confidently within twenty minutes.
Can experienced riders canter and gallop?
Yes, on the beach, once your guide has seen you ride. We will not let a group canter before we know everyone in it can. Say clearly what your experience is when you book so we put you in the right group.
Is there a weight limit?
Around 95 kg, for the horse's welfare. If you are close to that, message us — we have a couple of larger, stronger horses and can usually make it work.
Beach or forest — which should I pick?
Beach if it is your first time or you want the classic Essaouira ride and the open canter. Forest if you have ridden before, want shade, or are visiting in high summer when the beach is busier and hotter.