Sandboarding in Morocco: Ride the Sahara Dunes of Merzouga
Sandboarding Morocco: ride the high Erg Chebbi dunes in Merzouga with boards and a local guide from your desert camp. Sunset sessions, beginners welcome.
Sandboarding Morocco
Sandboarding Morocco style means climbing a soft orange dune, standing on a board and sliding down into the Sahara. The best place for it is Erg Chebbi near Merzouga, where the dunes rise high above the flat desert and the sand is fine and smooth. Our guides bring the boards from the desert camp, show you how to stand and turn, and pick slopes that match your level.
Most guests try sandboarding Merzouga style in the late afternoon, when the sand cools down and the light turns gold. A session usually fits between the camel ride and dinner at camp, so it is easy to add to a desert tour. There is no lift: you walk back up each time, which is half the fun and a good workout. Children love it, and many adults end up laughing more than they expected.
Best seasonOctober to April
Why choose sandboarding the dunes in Morocco
Real Sahara dunes
Erg Chebbi has some of the tallest sand dunes in Morocco, with long, smooth slopes that are made for sliding. It is a very different feeling from a sand hill near a beach.
Easy to learn
You can start sitting or lying on the board, then try standing when you feel ready. Our guide shows you how to lean and stop, and picks a gentle slope first.
Golden hour on the sand
Sessions usually run in the late afternoon, when the heat drops and the dunes glow orange and red. It is also the best light for photos and videos.
Fits into a desert trip
Boards and a guide come from the camp, so sandboarding slips easily into a night in Merzouga with a camel ride, dinner and drums by the fire.
Fun for all ages
Kids slide down on their bellies, teenagers try tricks and parents race each other. Soft sand makes falls gentle and usually ends in laughter.
Who is sandboarding in Morocco for?
Families
Children usually love sliding down the dunes, sitting or on their stomach. An adult stays with them and the guide chooses short, gentle slopes.
Groups of friends
Races, jumps and lots of videos – sandboarding is a great shared moment before dinner at camp.
Active travellers
Walking back up soft sand is real exercise. If you want more, combine it with a quad or buggy ride or a longer dune walk.
Curious first-timers
You do not need to snowboard or surf. It is not ideal for people with knee or back problems, since climbing the dune and falling can strain the body.
“Most guests try sandboarding Merzouga style in the late afternoon, when the sand cools down and the light turns gold.”
— Our team in MoroccoHow it works
- Tell us your dates
Send us your dates, where you are staying and how many you are – on WhatsApp or by email.
- We plan it with you
We suggest the best time and option for sandboarding the dunes and send you a clear price.
- Meet our team
On the day, our team meets you and explains everything before you start.
- Enjoy every moment
Live the experience – and add more adventures to your trip if you like.
Ways to do it with us
Book it on its own, or as part of one of our itineraries.
Sunset sandboarding at your Merzouga camp
Arrive at camp, ride a camel or walk into the dunes, then slide down Erg Chebbi as the sun goes down.
Ask us on WhatsApp →4 Day Desert Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga
Cross the Atlas, spend a night in the Erg Chebbi dunes and ask us to add a sandboarding session.
Ask us on WhatsApp →Morocco Tour 5 Days with 2 Sahara Nights
Two nights in the desert with more time for buggies and sandboarding on the high dunes.
See the itinerary →5 Day Active Desert Tour from Marrakech
Cycling, hiking, a camel ride, quad or buggy and sandboarding in one active trip.
See the itinerary →A typical day
Times follow sunset, so the session starts earlier in winter and later in summer; we confirm the plan with your camp.
- Arrive in Merzouga
Leave your bags at the hotel or the edge of the dunes and drink some tea.
- Into the dunes
Ride a camel or walk with your guide towards the camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes.
- Sandboarding lesson
Your guide waxes the boards and shows you how to sit, stand, lean and stop on a gentle slope.
- Sunset runs
Climb higher and slide down longer slopes while the dunes turn red and gold.
- Dinner at camp
Shake off the sand, then enjoy dinner, music and the night sky at camp.
Where it happens
Sandboarding the dunes with us takes place in these parts of Morocco – tell us where you are staying and we suggest the closest option.
- 1Merzouga (Erg Chebbi)
- 2Marrakech
- 3Agafay desert
- 4Fes
Useful information for sandboarding in Morocco
What a session looks like
Your guide carries the boards up a dune near camp and starts on a short slope. You learn to sit or stand, lean back and dig in your heels to stop. After a few runs you can move to a longer slope if you feel confident.
Boards and wax
Boards are simple sand boards, often with straps or foot loops. Guides rub wax on the base so it slides better. You do not need any special gear of your own.
Safety on the dunes
Go down one at a time, keep the slope below you clear, and never slide towards camp tents, camels or vehicles. Keep your arms in when you fall and avoid head-first runs unless the guide says the slope is safe for it.
Heat and sand
Midday sand can be very hot and the sun is strong, so sessions are planned for late afternoon or early morning. Drink water before you climb and protect your eyes from flying sand.
Can I do it near Marrakech?
The Agafay desert near Marrakech is a stony desert without real sand dunes, so it is not a sandboarding place. For proper dunes you need to travel to Merzouga, usually on a 3- to 5-day trip from Marrakech or Fes.
Before you book
- Health
- Not recommended with knee, back or neck problems, or during pregnancy – please tell us before booking.
- Children
- Children can slide on short, gentle slopes with an adult – send us their ages.
- Fitness
- There is no lift: you walk back up soft sand after every run, so go at your own pace and rest when you need to.
- Location
- Sandboarding needs real dunes, so it is done in Merzouga, not in the Agafay desert near Marrakech.
Best time for sandboarding in Morocco
October to April is the most comfortable time, with warm afternoons and cool evenings. In summer the dunes get very hot, so sessions only make sense just after sunrise or before sunset. Strong wind can blow sand around in spring, which makes boarding less pleasant.
- JanGood
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGood
- JunPossible
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepPossible
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGood
BestGoodPossibleAvoid
Request your sandboarding the dunes
Fill in the form and press send: your request comes straight to our team’s inbox (or WhatsApp, if you prefer) and we reply with the details and a clear price.
- No payment to send a request
- We adapt the option to you
- Or write to us: +212 600 643 098
Sandboarding in Morocco: 10 questions
Where can you go sandboarding in Morocco?
The best place for sandboarding in Morocco is the Erg Chebbi dune field near Merzouga, in the Sahara. The dunes there are high, soft and close to the desert camps, so boards and a guide are easy to arrange.
Can you go sandboarding from Marrakech?
Not really on a day trip. The Agafay desert near Marrakech is stony, without sand dunes. To go sandboarding from Marrakech you travel to Merzouga, usually on a desert tour of 3 days or more.
Is sandboarding in Merzouga good for beginners?
Yes. Most people who try sandboarding in Merzouga have never done it before. The guide starts you on a gentle slope, and you can slide sitting down until you feel ready to stand.
How much is sandboarding in Merzouga?
It depends on your camp, your trip and whether it is a short session or part of a bigger activity day. Send us your dates and group size and we will send you a quote on request.
What should I wear for sandboarding in the Sahara desert?
Long light trousers, a T-shirt, sunglasses and a hat or scarf work best. Sand gets everywhere, so leave good clothes at camp and put your phone in a zip bag.
Is sandboarding in Morocco safe?
Soft sand makes falls gentle, but you can still twist an ankle or knee. Follow the guide, go down one at a time and avoid head-first runs on steep slopes. Tell us about any knee, back or neck problems before booking.
Can children do sandboarding in Morocco?
Yes, children usually love it. Young ones slide sitting down or on their stomach on short slopes with an adult nearby. Tell us their ages and we plan the session around them.
What is the best time of day for sandboarding in the Sahara?
Late afternoon, before sunset, is the most popular time: the sand is cooler and the light is beautiful. Early morning also works, especially in summer.
Is sandboarding the same as sand surfing in the Sahara?
People use both names for the same thing: sliding down a dune on a board. Some stand like on a snowboard, others sit or lie down like on a sled.
Do I need my own sandboard in Merzouga?
No. Boards are provided at the desert camp or by your guide, and they are waxed before you start. You only need clothes you do not mind getting sandy.
Combine it with
Two experiences in one trip – our favourite pairings.
+
Sandboarding the dunes + Camel & horseback treksRide a camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes, then sandboard down the slopes near camp before sunset.See camel & horseback treks →+
Sandboarding the dunes + Desert camping & stargazingSlide the dunes in the late afternoon, then spend the night in a Merzouga desert camp under the stars.See desert camping & stargazing →
Add sandboarding the dunes to your trip
Tell us your dates and where you are staying – we organise everything with you.