Sandboarding in Merzouga

In short: Sandboarding in Merzouga means riding a waxed board down the dunes of Erg Chebbi, Morocco’s tallest dunes at up to roughly 150 m. It is a low-cost, beginner-friendly add-on to almost any desert-camp stay, best enjoyed at sunrise or in the golden hour before sunset.

What exactly is sandboarding in Merzouga?

Sandboarding is snowboarding’s desert cousin: you sit, lie or stand on a wooden or fibreglass board waxed on the underside, then slide down a dune face. In Merzouga the playground is Erg Chebbi, a roughly 28 km-long, 5-7 km-wide sea of orange dunes on Morocco’s southeastern edge near the Algerian border. The tallest crests reach up to about 150 m, giving long, forgiving runs on soft sand. Unlike snow, a fall here is cushioned, which is why it suits complete beginners and families. Most riders sit or lie on the board first, then work up to standing. For the wider context of routes, camps and seasons, see our Morocco Desert guide.

Where and when should you go?

The launch point is the village of Merzouga itself, or the smaller Hassi Labied 4 km north, both hugging the western foot of Erg Chebbi. From Marrakech it is a long 560 km drive (9-10 hours), almost always split over a 3-day loop via the UNESCO kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate and the Dades and Todra gorges; from Fes it is around 470 km (7-8 hours). Timing matters more than the exact dune. Ride at sunrise (roughly 6-8 a.m.) or in the last two hours before sunset, when the sand is cool and the light is at its best. Avoid midday from May to September, when surface temperatures can exceed 50C. The most comfortable months are October to April; winter mornings are cold, so bring a layer.

How much does it cost and what is included?

Sandboarding is one of the cheapest desert activities. A board rental alone runs about 5-10 EUR per session, and many camps and riads simply include boards free for overnight guests, so ask before paying separately. If you want a guided sunset outing with a 4×4 or a camel ride to reach the bigger dunes, budget 15-30 EUR per person. A single night in a standard desert camp typically costs 25-60 EUR per person including dinner, breakfast and a camel trek, with more comfortable tented camps reaching 80-150 EUR, similar to the per-person price of a shared 3-day Marrakech-Merzouga tour. Boards are basic decks with foot straps; do not expect high-performance gear.

Is it hard, and how do you actually ride?

The learning curve is gentle. Wax the base well (guides carry candle wax or a bar), pick a dune with a clean run-out and no rocks, and start seated or lying prone to feel the glide. To stand, keep your knees bent, weight slightly back, and lean into the fall line. Momentum is slower than on snow because sand has more drag, so you rarely reach frightening speeds. The real effort is the climb back up: soft sand means every step sinks to the ankle, so pace yourself and carry water. Wear sunglasses and closed shoes or sturdy sandals, and expect to be dusted in fine sand for the rest of the day.

How do you combine it with the rest of a desert trip?

Sandboarding rarely stands alone. It slots neatly between the camel trek out to camp (a gentle 1 to 1.5-hour walk at the camel’s pace), a night under the stars, and a 4×4 tour of the surrounding sights: the seasonal Dayet Srji lake with its flamingos, the village of Khamlia known for Gnawa music, and the old kohl mines toward the Algerian frontier. Many travellers pair Merzouga with a wider Sahara loop that also touches the Draa Valley and Zagora (about 360 km and ~7 hours from Marrakech). If you are mapping the bigger picture of routes, camps and seasons across the country, our Morocco Desert guide lays out the options in detail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need experience to try sandboarding in Merzouga? No. It is a beginner activity; most first-timers ride within minutes by starting seated before attempting to stand.

Can I bring my own snowboard? You can, but bindings and metal edges perform poorly on sand and clog easily. A waxed local board designed for dunes works far better.

Is sandboarding safe for children? Yes, on smaller dunes with a supervising guide. Soft sand makes falls low-risk, though the uphill climb tires young kids quickly.

What is the best season for sandboarding in Merzouga? October to April offers comfortable temperatures. In summer, restrict rides to early morning or late evening to avoid extreme heat.

How long does a sandboarding session last? Most casual sessions run 30-60 minutes, limited less by rules than by how many times you are willing to hike back up the dune.

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