Haouzia Beach, El Jadida

Haouzia is about 5 kilometres south of El Jadida's old medina and Portuguese Cistern, along the coastal road (R301) heading towards Oualidia. From El Jadida's main roundabout, follow signs for Azemmour or Oualidia and you'll see access tracks to the beach after roughly 10 minutes. The beach itself runs for around 7 kilometres, so there is no single "entrance" — park where the track widens and walk to the water.

Swimming at Haouzia requires caution. The beach is exposed to Atlantic swell and there are no permanent lifeguards outside the busiest summer weeks (late July and August, when a few seasonal posts may operate). The water is cold by Mediterranean standards — sea temperature typically runs 17–20°C even in summer — and rip currents can develop at certain tide states. Confident adult swimmers do swim here, but it is not suitable for young children unsupervised, and inexperienced swimmers should wade rather than swim unless conditions are very calm.

Very crowded in peak summer (mid-July to late August), particularly on weekends when day-trippers arrive from Casablanca. The scale of the beach — roughly 7 km of open sand — means you can always find space by walking further from the access tracks. Outside summer it is genuinely quiet: spring and early autumn visits often yield a nearly empty beach. Weekday mornings are always calmer than weekend afternoons at any time of year.

Wild camping directly on Haouzia beach is not formally permitted and is increasingly discouraged due to litter problems. A few informal camp spots exist in the eucalyptus forest fringe, but they have no facilities and you camp at your own risk. The better option is the official campsite in El Jadida town itself (Camping Caravaning International d'El Jadida), about 5 km north, which offers hook-ups, showers, and reasonable security. From there the beach is a short drive each day.

The R301 south from Haouzia to Oualidia is around 70 kilometres and takes 1 to 1.5 hours without stops — though you will want to stop. The road runs close to the cliff edge for much of the route, passing the small fishing port of Sidi Abed, Atlantic-facing headlands, and eventually the wide lagoon at Oualidia, one of Morocco's best oyster-eating spots. The surface is good tarmac throughout. The drive is genuinely scenic and almost entirely free of tourist coaches — most visitors skip this stretch entirely, which is exactly what makes it worth doing.

Permanent facilities are minimal. A handful of seasonal snack stalls set up in summer selling sandwiches, fizzy drinks, and grilled corn. There are no permanent beach cafés directly on the sand, no changing rooms, and no toilets. Bring everything you need — water, sunscreen, food. Lifeguards appear at a couple of posts during August peak weeks but coverage is limited given the beach's length. For families with young children, the sheltered lagoon at Oualidia (70 km south) is a safer and better-serviced alternative.

From Casablanca, take the A5 autoroute south towards El Jadida (toll road, about 22 MAD). After El Jadida, follow the coast road (R301) south for 5 km until beach access tracks appear on the right. Total drive time is roughly 1 hour 15 minutes from central Casablanca in normal traffic. There is no direct public bus to Haouzia beach itself — the nearest bus stop is in El Jadida town, from which a petit taxi to the beach costs around 20–30 MAD indicative. A private car or guided day trip is the most practical approach.