Oualidia is a small resort on the Atlantic coast in Morocco. You can get around this city on foot in just a day, and it will be a very pleasant day, as Oualidia is stunningly beautiful, especially the lagoons and beaches. Since ancient times, influential people came here to relax, and King Mohammed V even built a villa there, where he celebrated various significant dates. Today Oualidia is best known for its oyster farms. Since 1957, up to 200 tons of Japanese oysters have been mined here a year, and this is the main source of income for the city.
How to get there
According to Allcitycodes, Oualidia is located 76 km from El Jadida and 66 km from Safi. You can get there by bus from Safi (journey time 1 hour 30 minutes) and El Jadida (1 hour 30 minutes), the fare is about 30 MAD. The bus station is located on the main coastal road near the post office.
By car
Traveling by car from the north of Morocco, you should move along the highway Tangier – Casablanca – Rabat – El Jadida. Then, leaving the highway towards El Jadida, follow the coastal road to Oualidia.
Traveling from Marrakech, you should follow the road leading to Safi, then along the scenic road along the coast to Oualidia.
Beaches
The main beach of the city is located on the shore of the lagoon – here you can not worry about the waves and strong ocean currents, but this beach can be crowded. By renting a boat from the locals, you can go to the other side of the lagoon to a quiet and calm beach, which will cost about 120 MAD (both ways).
Those who prefer the roar of ocean waves to a calm lagoon should go to the beach located on the ocean coast, on the opposite side from the main one.
For shopping, you should go to the neighboring town of Safi, where the traditional Moroccan market is located.
Attractions and attractions in Oualidia
Some of the historical value of Oualidia is the fortress, built in 1634 as a counterweight and alternative to the citadel in El Jadid by order of Sultan Saadian El Walid, after whom the city got its name. In addition, the Royal Villa, built by order of Mohammed V, who celebrated birthdays and other important family holidays here, has been preserved on the territory of the city.
North of Oualidia is an 18-hole golf course.
In addition, in Oualidia you can book excursions and go fishing in the lagoon or see how oysters are mined and processed, as well as bird watching, because Oualidia is located in the center of one of the richest bird habitats in Morocco. Coastal wetlands, sands and salt pans, jagged reefs and lagoons are nesting grounds for great pink flamingos, thornbills, stilts, godwits, storks, waders, terns, herons and warblers.
In Oualidia, you can book excursions and go fishing in the lagoon or see how oysters are mined and processed.
Souss-Massa National Park
Not far from Oualidia is the Souss-Massa National Park (Parc National de Souss-Massa), whose territory occupies more than 130 thousand hectares and is the natural habitat of mongooses, wild boars, gazelles, gulls, hawks, cormorants, as well as the “home” for four Moroccan endangered forest ibis colonies. The park was founded in 1991, and now there are 7 villages with a population of about 2.5 thousand inhabitants on its territory. Since 2005, the park has been under the protection of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance as Waterfowl Habitats.
