Pronounced “Walidia”, this is a charming little coastal village situated between El Jadida and Safi.

The village is spread around the southern shores of an 11km inland lagoon filled by the sea which enters through two breaches in the coastal rock wall. Watching the coastal views from a terrace is akin to observing the ebbing tides on a river estuary – a constantly changing and remarkable spectacle. The 11 Km lagoon is flanked by a kasbah built in 1634 by Sultan El Oualid, and the Oulidia hotels look over the beach and lagoon.

The sunny beaches with fine sand lend themselves to safe bathing, surfing, windsurfing and small fishing boat expeditions.

Oualidia is the main oyster centre of Morocco. To the south, a variety of small sandy coves and rocky cliffs offer seclusion and splendid walks.

Visitors will have the village and beaches more or less to themselves between October and June whereas July to September is high season when many French and Moroccans spend their summer months at this enchanting location.

Whilst self-drive car hire is not essential, there is a wealth of interesting places to visit within striking distance of Oualidia along this spectacular coast from El Jadida with its superb 18-hole golf course (50 miles to the north), to Safi (40 miles to the south) which is one of Morocco’s most important pottery centres. Oualidia is about 2 hours drive from Marrakech and about 2 hours from Casablanca. It is also about two and a half hours drive to Essaouira.

Birdwatching
Oualidia is in the centre of one of the richest birdlife habitats in Morocco and an important resting area for migrating birds in Spring and Autumn. The coastal wetlands, sands and saltpans, the jagged reefs and the lagoons of Sidi Moussa and Oualidia shelter a huge range of species – pink flamingoes, avocets, stilts, godwits, storks, waders, terns, egrets, warblers and many others.

Another region of interest for bird enthusiasts is the Souss Massa national park.