What's on in Dakhla, Western Sahara through the year

Busy — Ramadan, school holidays in 5 of the markets that fill it

• Holiday

  Ramadan

  25 Jan – 25 Mar · usuallyClosures

  The kite camps out on the lagoon keep running for guests, but the town on the peninsula shuts through daylight and local staff are fasting on the water all day. Everything reopens loudly after sunset. Source ↗

Still on: Waders on the lagoon (15 Oct – 15 Mar (usually))

Busy — Ramadan, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in February.

Still on: Ramadan (25 Jan – 25 Mar (usually)), Waders on the lagoon (15 Oct – 15 Mar (usually))

Peak crowds — Ramadan, Trade-wind kite season

• Season

  Trade-wind kite season

  15 Mar – 30 Sep · usuallyWind seasonCrowdedBook early

  The reliable northerly blows most afternoons across the flat water inside the lagoon, which is the entire reason the camps exist. Book a room in the spring peak months well ahead; the strip is small. Source ↗

Still on: Ramadan (25 Jan – 25 Mar (usually)), Waders on the lagoon (15 Oct – 15 Mar (usually))

Busy — Trade-wind kite season, school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in April.

Still on: Trade-wind kite season (15 Mar – 30 Sep (usually))

Busy — Trade-wind kite season, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in May.

Still on: Trade-wind kite season (15 Mar – 30 Sep (usually))

Busy — Trade-wind kite season, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it

• Season

  Cold-current fog

  1 Jun – 30 Sep · usuallyFog season

  The cold Atlantic water off this coast keeps mornings grey and damp well into summer, so the desert here rarely feels like desert until the fog burns back around midday. Source ↗

Still on: Trade-wind kite season (15 Mar – 30 Sep (usually))

Busy — Trade-wind kite season, school holidays in 5 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in July.

Still on: Trade-wind kite season (15 Mar – 30 Sep (usually)), Cold-current fog (1 Jun – 30 Sep (usually))

Busy — Trade-wind kite season, school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in August.

Still on: Trade-wind kite season (15 Mar – 30 Sep (usually)), Cold-current fog (1 Jun – 30 Sep (usually))

Busy — Trade-wind kite season, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in September.

Still on: Trade-wind kite season (15 Mar – 30 Sep (usually)), Cold-current fog (1 Jun – 30 Sep (usually))

Busy — school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it, one of its best months for weather

• Nature

  Waders on the lagoon

  15 Oct – 15 Mar · usuallyBirdlife season

  The shallows fill with flamingos, spoonbills and waders wintering down the Atlantic flyway, and they are visible from the same water the kites use. Early morning, before the wind gets up. Source ↗

Busy — Green March anniversary, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

• Holiday

  Green March anniversary

  4–8 NovNational holidayClosuresCrowded

  The 6th of November is the date Morocco marks its claim on the Sahara, and nowhere marks it harder than here: flags, official events and closed public offices for the long weekend. Source ↗

Still on: Waders on the lagoon (15 Oct – 15 Mar (usually))

Quiet — school holidays in 5 of the markets that fill it, one of its worst months for weather

Nothing new starts in December.

Still on: Waders on the lagoon (15 Oct – 15 Mar (usually))