Morocco’s Hidden Gem: Oualidia Lagoon Showcased as ’New Paradise’ on French TV

Oualidia is a city in Morocco located in the province of Sidi Bennour in the Casablanca-Settat region, on the Atlantic coast, between El Jadida and Safi, 158 km south of Casablanca and 212 km from Marrakech. "Between land and sea, this lagoon is an enchanted parenthesis on the Atlantic coast. To the rhythm of the tides, its sandy islet offers a singular spectacle, a paradise for surfers and enthusiasts of sliding sports," notes TF1.

The report highlights the assets of the lagoon for which oyster lovers, surfers and dolphin enthusiasts travel for miles. But what about the ocean, which in its azure blue reserves a surprising spectacle with the "ballet of dolphins," a paradise for fishermen, and enthusiasts of these marine mammals, says TF1, noting that near the deep waters, the seaside resort is a privileged observation post.

Presented as "the paradise of oysters," the site produces more than 250 tons of oysters per year and Moroccans come from all over the country to enjoy them, raw or au gratin, because "there is something for every taste." TFI invites any visitor to tour the oyster farms created since the 1950s and which are an integral part of the tourist attractions of the seaside town. The boat ride on the lagoon aboard small vaporettos is a pleasure that must be indulged in to admire the splendor of the "turquoise waters".

After the boat ride, visitors can count on the tourist infrastructure offered by the city with luxury hotels where rooms exceed 1,000 euros per night. The major challenge for the coming years, says TF1, will be to protect this "unique lagoon city" and to find the right balance between mass tourism and respect for the environment.