OUALIDIA, WINTER 2027

Oualidia sits on Morocco's Atlantic coast, roughly halfway between Casablanca and Essaouira, where the ocean cliffs give way to a five-mile tidal lagoon. A place of outstanding natural beauty, where Moroccans themselves come on holiday, with uncrowded waves and a charm entirely its own. Wide open beaches and waves that are as forgiving and enjoyable as any you will find.

The House

Villa La Diouana has been the place to stay in Oualidia for over fifteen years. Perched on a clifftop with a large garden, pool, and views straight out over the lagoon and ocean. Your hosts are James von Leyden and his wife. James is a novelist whose two crime thrillers set in Morocco, A Death in the Medina and Last Boat from Tangier, are published by Hachette. They know the area intimately and during the week James will share some of his insights with guests.

The Surf

Oualidia's lagoon is a remarkable place to learn to surf. Swell filters through the inlet and reforms over shifting sandbanks into soft, rolling waves with almost no rip current. When solid Atlantic swells hammer the coast, the lagoon stays manageable. Instructors can focus on technique rather than safety.

For those ready to step it up, there are breaks just outside the lagoon mouth with proper Atlantic punch. Further afield, a short drive opens up more beaches with peaks of all shapes and sizes. Depending on ability levels in the group, we may split into two groups to make sure everyone is surfing the right wave.

SURF COACH

Abdou

Surf Coach, Oualidia Vibes Surf School

Abdou runs Oualidia Vibes Surf School and knows these waters inside out. A natural coach with years of experience teaching surfers of all levels in the lagoon and beyond.

Yoga

Yoga runs daily under Abdel-Ali, a local instructor who works specifically with surfers. Sessions are built around recovery: targeted stretching and breathwork that eases the shoulders, lower back and hips after a morning in the water, and settles the mind before the rest of the day continues. Open to complete beginners and experienced practitioners alike.

Fatima-Zahra, our on-call masseuse, is available for massages on request if you find yourself with any muscle tightness.

The Food

Meals at La Diouana are communal and unhurried. Breakfasts are laid out together each morning, a traditional Moroccan spread of amlou, pancakes, fresh bread and Moroccan tea, alongside more familiar options such as yoghurt, fruit, honey and granola, along with orange juice, coffee and tea. Dinners are shared at the long table, and are the social highlight of the day.

The cooking is in the hands of Fatima, who has been at La Diouana for fifteen years. She cooks Moroccan and Mediterranean fish tagine, harira, kofta, paella, fresh salads using produce sourced locally and in season. Fish and shellfish are landed daily and oysters are farmed right in the lagoon. Vegetarian and vegan options throughout.

COOKS

Fatima and Abdillah

Fatima has been cooking at La Diouana for fifteen years. She works with whatever is freshest that day: fish tagine, harira, kofta, paella, fresh salads. Her kofta tagine alone is worth the trip. Abdillah, her husband and barbecuer in chief, handles the grill: fresh sea bream, sardines, chicken kebabs, lamb cutlets, all cooked over charcoal. Between them, they make sure guests are very well looked after.

The Location

Oualidia is special beyond the surf. The lagoon is a protected nature reserve, home to oyster farms, flamingos, storks, and rare migratory birds. Boat trips across the lagoon, birdwatching at sunrise, and oysters straight from the water are all part of the week. The nearby town of Safi is worth a day trip for its medina, ancient ramparts, and the chance to watch one of Morocco's most famous waves from the cliff.

A Typical Day

The week is unstructured by design. Further details of the schedule will be shared closer to the trip. This is a rough sense of what a day looks like.

Rooms & Sleeping Arrangements

La Diouana has six bedrooms across the property, sleeping up to twelve. Six are in the villa itself, two in the Penthouse Suite, and two each in the Garden Suite and the Palm Suite, both in a nearby annex.

Wavestate trips are capped at 12 guests. Rooms are allocated by wavestate ahead of arrival, and where you are travelling with a partner or a friend, we will usually look to put you in a double together. Sharing is part of the experience, and most guests find it's no trouble at all, but if it would be a concern, just let us know before booking and we can look at a single room or an extra bed where needed. Each bedroom has its own ensuite bathroom, heating and air conditioning.

Further Information