Oualidia Bay - Moroccan Coast Retreat

"When we arrived, I thought perhaps there had been some mistake: it didn't look like a town that would attract royalty. Or flamingos. But then you turn a corner towards the sea and Oualidia uncurls to reveal the magical lagoon at its centre.

It is immediately beguiling. The crescent of butterscotch-coloured sand loops at the southern tip of 11km of lagoon, protected from the crashing Atlantic by a barrier of rocks that catch all the violence of the ocean. Slickly wet-suited children surf in miniature waves and teenagers play football among djellaba-clad women making sandcastles with their babies on a stage-like central island, which evaporates and re-emerges with the tides. Over the course of our three days, it never looked like the same beach twice. Silver at night, the water was lilac in the rising morning.

In spring and autumn, migrating pink flamingos land here on the way from Spain to sub-Saharan Africa. We watched elegant sandpipers and curlews, herons marching their lolloping Egyptian walk through the sand, swallows dancing to the sound of minarets calling the boatmen, fisherman and surfers to prayer." Article in the Observer 2 September 2012

Zamzam Retreats are holding a  wonderful luxury pampering Retreat in Oualidia in November 2013 you can view the whole programme here - www.moroccoretreats.com

We went to do a rece last month and consider surrounding beaches and generally have a fabulous weekend.  This bay with its abundance of fresh sea food is stunning and magical.

The beautiful horizon pool of the villa allows you to swim whilst taking in the stunning view of the lagoon.