Al Hoceima Beyond the Beach: What to Actually Do

Al Hoceima is celebrated across Morocco for its Caribbean-like turquoise Mediterranean waters and postcard-perfect beaches like Plage Quemado and Tala Youssef. But travellers who only lounge on the sand miss out on one of North Africa's most dramatic coastal wildernesses: the rugged cliffs and biodiversity of the Central Rif.

Hiking Al Hoceima National Park

Spanning over 47,000 hectares of terrestrial and marine landscapes, Al Hoceima National Park (Parc National d'Al Hoceima) is an extraordinary natural reserve. Marked hiking routes, such as the trail between Bousekkour and Tikkit, wind through thuya forests and olive groves along dramatic 300-metre limestone sea cliffs plunging directly into azure waters.

Wildlife: The kingdom of the osprey

The park's inaccessible sea cliffs shelter the largest breeding colony of the endangered osprey (balbuzard pêcheur) in the entire Mediterranean basin. Birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts can spot these majestic raptors diving for fish from cliffside viewpoints or during boat excursions along the marine perimeter.

Boat excursions to Bades Island and Cala Iris

Chartering a local boat or catamaran from Al Hoceima or Cala Iris opens up hidden coves unreachable by road. A unique coastal landmark is the Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera (Bades Island), a Spanish fortress rock connected to the Moroccan mainland by an 85-metre strip of sand — forming the shortest land border in the world.

Portside evenings and sardine grilling

At dusk, make your way down to the port of Al Hoceima as the blue trawlers return with the day's catch. The port restaurants grill fresh sardines seasoned with cumin and coarse sea salt over hot coals, serving them with traditional wood-fired round bread.

Best seasons for hiking and exploring

While July and August are peak months for swimming, April to June and September to October offer the finest weather for hiking national park trails and exploring rural mountain hamlets without midday heat.