Review · ESSAOUIRA
Comesurfing – Learn how to surf
Surfing lessons in Essaouira are built around one clear goal: helping you catch a wave without someone pushing you into it. Charaf teaches the basics on land before taking you into the water, then watches closely as you practice the pop-up, balance, and timing. I like the patient, personal approach and the aim of making you independent from the first session.
I also like that this is a private activity, so your two hours are focused on your group rather than a large class. The main consideration is the price, $76.69 per person, which is a fairer deal for a small group than for a solo participant. The lesson also depends on good weather, and the strict cancellation policy makes your date important.
Key points at a glance
- Private instruction: Your group receives the full lesson rather than sharing the water time with a large class.
- A clear beginner target: You work toward catching waves alone and standing through the pop-up.
- Patient coaching from Charaf: He pays close attention to safety, technique, and small improvements.
- A land lesson before the sea: You first learn the basics, then put them to work in the water.
- About two hours of practice: The listed duration is approximately two hours, with some lessons lasting longer if you still have energy.
- Central Essaouira meeting point: Start and finish at Surf Essaouira, Wingfoil Camp Essaouira, on Avenue Mohamed V.
Starting at Surf Essaouira on Avenue Mohamed V
You meet at Surf Essaouira, also identified as Wingfoil Camp Essaouira and Comesurfing, at Av. Mohamed V in Essaouira. The activity ends at the same place, which keeps the day simple. You do not need to arrange a separate return transfer after the lesson.
The location is near public transportation, another small advantage if you are staying elsewhere in town. Your confirmation arrives within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability, so leave a little space in your plans rather than booking this at the last minute.
This is a private tour, but that does not mean you get a completely different lesson from a group class. The real benefit is time and attention. Charaf can watch your own stance, correct your board position, and adjust the lesson to your progress instead of moving at a fixed class pace.
You should arrive ready for a physical activity. The course requires a moderate level of fitness, and paddling, standing, falling, and trying again can wear you out. The description of the lesson allows for extra time when you are still able to practice, but you should not count on an unlimited session.
A few more sessions around Essaouira worth a look
- Essaouira: Surf Lessons
★ 4.9 · 412 reviews - Surf Lesson with local surfer in Essaouira Morocco
★ 5.0 · 166 reviews - Beginners friendly surf in nice spots
★ 4.8 · 129 reviews
Learning the basics before entering the water

The lesson starts with preparation rather than sending you straight into the waves. That matters. Surfing has a lot of moving parts, and the first few minutes spent learning how to handle the board and move your body can save plenty of confusion later.
You will work on the basic actions needed to surf safely and with control. That includes getting onto the board, preparing for a wave, and practicing the pop-up. The pop-up is the quick movement from lying on the board to standing, and it is the moment when many first-time surfers either find their balance or lose it.
Charaf’s approach combines explanation with physical practice. He teaches the ideas, then helps you feel how they work. That mix is useful because surfing cannot be learned from instructions alone. You need to understand the movement, then repeat it until your body starts to respond.
The goal is not just to stand once by luck. The stated aim is to help you become an independent surfer from the first lesson. In practical terms, that means learning to catch a wave with your own timing and ride it after completing the pop-up without someone else doing the hard work for you.
Moving from the sand to the waves

Once you have the basic movements, the focus shifts to the ocean. The water section is where the lesson becomes more than a board-handling class. You need to read the approaching wave, position yourself, paddle at the right moment, and keep your balance as the board starts moving.
For a beginner, the first success may be modest. You might get onto your knees, hold the line of the wave, and begin to understand how the board moves. That is still useful progress. The step from lying down to kneeling, and then from kneeling to standing, is part of the normal learning path.
The strongest part of the instruction is the close observation. Charaf is described as careful about safety and attentive to technique. He stays with you as you practice, notices where your position goes wrong, and gives you another chance to correct it.
This is especially valuable in a private lesson. A crowded class can leave a beginner waiting for a turn or repeating the same mistake. Here, the time is centered on your group, so the instructor can respond to what is happening in front of him.
You should still keep your expectations sensible. Not every beginner will stand cleanly on the first wave. Success may mean riding on your knees or almost reaching your feet, while another person may manage a short standing ride. The important point is that the lesson gives you a clear progression instead of treating one brief stand as the whole result.
Charaf’s patient style and fluent English
Charaf is the named instructor connected with the lesson, and his teaching style is a major part of the experience. He is described as patient, observant, and fluent in English. That makes a real difference when the activity depends on fast instructions and small changes in body position.
Surfing can be hard to explain while you are wet, moving, and trying not to fall. Clear language helps you understand what to change before the next wave arrives. Patience matters just as much. Beginners often need several attempts before the timing starts to make sense.
You can expect Charaf to stay involved rather than simply hand you a board and watch from shore. The instruction covers preparation, safety, and the practical work of catching waves. The focus is on building skill, not just giving you a quick thrill.
The lesson may also continue beyond the stated two-hour estimate if you are still able to practice. That is a welcome feature, but it comes with a sensible limit: you may be exhausted before you reach the extra time. Surfing is demanding when your body is not used to it, so plan the rest of your day at an easy pace.
Same coast, a different way into the water:
- Kitesurfing Lessons in Essaouira Beach
★ 5.0 · 206 reviews - Group Kitesurfing lesson with a Local in Essaouira Morocco
★ 5.0 · 175 reviews - Essaouira: 2-Hour Surf Lesson
★ 4.9 · 119 reviews - Individual Lessons of Kite Surf in Essaouira
★ 5.0 · 113 reviews
What the two-hour format really gives you
Two hours is a useful length for a first surf session. It gives you time to learn on land, get into the water, attempt several waves, and receive corrections between tries. A shorter class could give you a taste but leave little time for your body to adjust.
The approximate wording matters. The lesson is not necessarily a stopwatch exercise, and the instructor may continue until you are tired. One account describes an experience lasting beyond two hours, essentially until exhaustion. You should see that as a possible bonus, not a promise of a much longer class.
The pace will depend on your fitness and confidence. Some people will spend more time learning the basic position. Others will move quickly toward the pop-up and have more chances to catch waves. A private format lets the instructor give more attention to the point where you need it most.
I would not schedule another demanding activity immediately afterward. Even if the lesson ends close to the two-hour mark, you may want time to dry off, rest, and enjoy the remainder of your day in Essaouira.
The value of a $76.69 private lesson

At $76.69 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend two hours in Essaouira. The price makes the most sense when you value private instruction, close safety guidance, and a lesson focused on your own ability rather than a large class.
For two people, the cost buys more than equipment access. You are paying for instruction that works toward independence: catching a wave by yourself, completing the pop-up, and riding without another person helping you. That is a more useful target than simply standing on a board once for a photograph.
The value is also tied to the instructor’s time. If the lesson runs beyond two hours because you are still practicing, the session may feel stronger than a strict, fixed-length class. Still, the published duration is approximately two hours, so I would make your decision on that basis.
A solo beginner should think carefully about the price. The private setup gives you maximum attention, but the cost per person is higher when no one shares the lesson with you. A small group may find the price easier to justify because the personal format remains part of the experience.
The high satisfaction rating and full recommendation rate point to a dependable beginner experience, but they do not remove the normal limits of surfing. Weather, fitness, natural balance, and your comfort in the ocean all affect what you will achieve.
Who should book this surfing lesson

This lesson suits a first-time surfer who wants proper instruction rather than a casual equipment rental. It is also a good match for someone who learns best through direct correction and wants to understand the movements behind surfing.
You should be comfortable with moderate physical activity. The lesson involves working with waves and repeating the same movements, so you need enough energy to paddle, reposition yourself, and try the pop-up several times.
It fits people who want a clear sense of progress. If your goal is to catch at least one wave independently, this format gives you a direct path toward that result. If your only aim is to take a quick photograph standing on a board, a structured lesson may be more than you need.
The private format is useful for friends or family traveling together, provided everyone is willing to participate at a similar level. Since only your group takes part, you do not have to match the pace of unrelated participants.
Weather, confirmation, and the strict booking terms
The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. That protects you from paying for a lesson that cannot safely run.
Your own cancellation terms are much stricter. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or request an amendment, the amount paid will not be returned.
That combination makes timing important. Wait for confirmation, which is issued within 48 hours subject to availability, before treating the lesson as fixed. Once confirmed, avoid placing it beside plans that are likely to shift.
The mobile ticket is convenient, and the meeting point is straightforward. You still need to allow enough time to reach Avenue Mohamed V and be ready for a physical activity when the lesson begins.
Is Comesurfing in Essaouira worth booking?
I would book this lesson if you want a serious first step into surfing and value individual attention. Charaf’s patient instruction, clear English, safety focus, and willingness to work toward independent wave riding give the session a useful purpose beyond a short introduction.
The best reason to choose it is the private format paired with a practical goal. You are not simply watching a demonstration. You are learning how to catch a wave, move through the pop-up, and begin riding under your own control.
I would hesitate if the $76.69 price feels high for a two-hour activity, if you are unsure about moderate physical exertion, or if your schedule is likely to change. The no-refund policy requires a firm commitment, and weather can still affect the date.
For a first surf lesson in Essaouira, this is a focused choice. Book it when you want patient coaching and real practice, then arrive ready to fall, reset, and try again. That is how the first small success, often a ride on your knees or a brief stand, turns into a skill you can keep building.
FAQ
Where does the surfing lesson start?
It starts at Surf Essaouira, Wingfoil Camp Essaouira, Comesurfing, on Av. Mohamed V in Essaouira, Morocco.
Where does the activity finish?
The activity ends back at the meeting point on Av. Mohamed V.
How long does the lesson last?
The listed duration is approximately two hours. The session may last longer if you still have energy to practice.
Is this a private activity?
Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.
Who teaches the lesson?
The instructor identified in the experience information is Charaf.
What will I learn during the lesson?
You will learn the basics of surfing, including how to catch waves independently and perform the pop-up to ride the wave.
Do I need a certain fitness level?
You should have a moderate level of physical fitness.
What happens if bad weather cancels the lesson?
You will be offered a different date or a full refund if the activity is canceled because of poor weather.
Just added around Essaouira
- Surf day trip in uncrowded spots★ 5.0 · 5 reviews
- Surfing lessons in Essaouira★ 4.5 · 2 reviews
- Surf Rental★ 5.0 · 31 reviews
- Surfing Kitesurfing Fishing Foil in Essaouira Morocco polylingual★ 5.0 · 7 reviews
- Essaouira Surf Lesson: Energize Your Ride★ 5.0 · 11 reviews
- Semi Private Surf Lesson (2 People 1 Instructor)★ 5.0 · 14 reviews
- Private Surf Lesson★ 5.0 · 21 reviews
- Private Windsurf Lessons Essaouira★ 5.0 · 4 reviews
Essaouira Surf Trips, compared.

Group Kitesurfing lesson with a Local in Essaouira Morocco
Read our review →
Surf Lesson with local surfer in Essaouira Morocco
Read our review →Browse the lists this tour appears in






