Between ocean, lagoon and desert, Dakhla reveals itself as much through its landscapes as through its activities. The must-dos are horse riding at sunset, kitesurfing, the Dune Blanche, a camel trek and Dragon Island. Here are ten experiences to choose from according to your desires, your level and the weather.
Choose an activity to fit your day
| What you want | Time to allow | Conditions to check | Starting budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunset horse ride | 1h30 or 2h, excluding transfers | Ability and seasonal departure time | €50 / person at the Ranch |
| Camel ride | 1h or 1h30, excluding transfers | Age and adult-child sharing | €30 / adult at the Ranch |
| Kitesurfing or land sailing | Depends on the package | Sufficient wind and ability | Operator’s quote |
| Dune Blanche and Imlili | Half or full day, depending on route | Travel, stops and tides | Operator’s quote |
| Dragon Island, surfing or diving | Depends on the outing | Sea, tides, ability and supervision | Operator’s quote |
| Quad or electric motorbike | Depends on the route | Age, height, driving and permitted routes | Operator’s quote |
Ranch prices refer to the detailed packages on our activity pages. For other activities, ask the operator to confirm the total price, transfers and conditions. Book your sunset ride first if you only have one free evening.
Enjoying a horse ride at sunset
Choose a horse ride in Dakhla to explore the cliffs and beach. If evening light is your priority, the sunset rides last 1h30 or 2h and start at €50 per person. Departure times change with the season.
Beginners are welcome on suitable routes; the guide chooses the pace according to ability and conditions. A first ride does not guarantee a gallop. Experienced riders can also choose a longer daytime excursion, including Dune Blanche.
Learning or improving your kitesurfing
Dakhla, a city at the gateway to Europe situated between ocean and desert, is renowned for its regular and consistent wind blowing 300 days a year. It is, by definition, the perfect destination to learn or improve your kitesurfing or wing foiling, and its worldwide reputation speaks for itself.
Pleasant temperatures, sunny days, flat and shallow waters, numerous spots: so many assets that make Dakhla an incomparable playground for beginners and seasoned riders alike.
Two main options exist for experiencing exceptional gliding sensations: staying in a hotel with a private watersports centre directly on the lagoon, or contacting a mobile school that provides transport to and from your accommodation and takes you to discover different spots. Dakhla has the advantage of being suited to the widest possible audience, as hotel and sporting options exist for all tastes and all budgets.
So, are you ready to take the plunge and come and discover what gliding in Dakhla has to offer at its purest?
Going on an excursion to the Dune Blanche and the Imlili desert
Dune Blanche and Sebkhat Imlili are usually visited on a desert tour. Compare itineraries by asking whether both sites, travel time, lunch and any stops at Asmaa or Puerto Rico are included. Half-day and full-day tours offer a different pace.
At Dune Blanche, access and scenery change with the tide. At Imlili, follow your guide’s instructions around the pools. Keep your distance from birds and leave nothing behind. The variety of landscapes is the attraction; you do not need an undocumented geological explanation to appreciate it.
Immersing yourself in Sahrawi culture with a camel trek
A camel ride suits visitors who want to explore the desert without learning to ride a horse. At the Ranch, the 1h and 1h30 routes cost €30 and €40 per adult, during the day or at sunset.
An adult and child can share a mount up to a combined weight of 120 kg: €40 for 1h or €50 for 1h30. Tell the team the children’s ages before booking. Tea and traditional clothing are part of the experience described on the activity page.
Reaching Dragon Island by boat
Dragon Island offers another way to discover the lagoon. Compare a catamaran outing with a motorboat crossing according to your time and preferred type of sailing. Landing, walks on the island and swimming depend on conditions; ask for the planned itinerary.
The contacts listed in this guide are Sahara Sailing and Dakhla Hospitality Group. Confirm availability, duration, transfers and arrangements for children directly.
Escaping at full speed through the desert by quad bike
A quad tour explores the desert by motor vehicle. Before choosing, distinguish between driving and riding as a passenger: age, height, experience and equipment requirements may differ. “For the whole family” is not a substitute for these conditions.
Ask Dakhla Quad & Events about permitted routes, supervision and the total price. If quiet surroundings or an outing with young children is your priority, also compare camel and pony rides.
Setting off on an adventure by electric motorbike
An electric motorbike is an option for visitors seeking a motorised desert outing. Ask Beecross about driving requirements, routes, equipment and experience before booking.
Electric does not mean impact-free: charging, equipment manufacture, travel and effects on the ground also matter. If environmental impact guides your choice, ask about the operator’s actual practices rather than relying on a “zero emissions” claim.
Gliding across the sand in a land yacht
Land sailing uses the wind to move, so it depends on the day’s conditions. It is not a guaranteed alternative when the wind drops. Surfis is the contact listed in this guide for planning an outing.
Ask about minimum height, the required weather conditions and the length of the introduction. Learning time varies between people; do not plan around a promise of mastering it in twenty minutes.
Surfing the waves of the Atlantic Ocean
Dakhla is a very well-known destination for its consistent wind, but less so for its beautiful waves, which have nothing to envy of those in northern Morocco. 4 spots, far from overcrowded, will delight beginners and experts alike. The best period runs from November to March, but pleasant conditions can emerge throughout the rest of the year depending on the swell forecast on the Ocean and the wind.
Depending on your needs and desires, you can take lessons or simply hire a board. Fixed nautical bases offering these services exist at the main spots, as well as mobile surf schools.
Diving into the turquoise waters of the lagoon
Even if diving is not the first thing that springs to mind in Dakhla, its crystal-clear and shallow waters are perfectly suited to it. Introductory dives and dives for certified divers are offered to explore the rich marine biodiversity of the lagoon, its sandy and even rocky seabeds in places. Various spots along the coast exist for practising this activity, which will delight nature lovers and adventure-seeking divers.
Two professional operators can accompany you on this underwater adventure: Mayorça Scuba Diving Center and Dakhla Diving Club. Do not hesitate to contact them for more information!
A guide from Ranch des Dunes. Revision of 9 September 2026: decision guidance, consistency of Ranch offers and conditions to confirm. External operators’ availability was not rechecked on this date.
