Dakhla by van: where to camp around the lagoon, from PK 25 to the White Dune

At the end of the N1, more than 500 km south of Laâyoune, the Dakhla peninsula stretches for about 40 km between the Atlantic and a turquoise lagoon. Steady wind, flat water and mild weather all year round make it one of the world's great kitesurfing spots, and the winter terminus for many motorhome travellers. The directory lists 23 campsites, stops and bivouacs in the Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab region and on the road down.

Driving down the N1

From Laâyoune, the road follows the coastal desert via Boujdour: hundreds of kilometres of cliffs and gravel plains, with few villages. A handful of bivouacs mapped by the OSM community break up the drive, near Nouifed, at Chtoukane (by the sea, via a track) and towards Imatlane, already in the Dakhla region. They are stops for self-sufficient vehicles: nothing on site, so fill up with water and diesel in every town.

PK 25 and the start of the peninsula

You leave the N1 for the peninsula road, which runs along the lagoon to the town. Around kilometre 25 before Dakhla, the PK 25 area is the long-standing meeting point for winter visitors: a free stop mostly used by French retirees, and right next to it Dakhla Evasion campsite (restaurant, hammam, tents and bungalows, pets allowed), close to the lagoon's kite schools.

The peninsula and Dakhla town

Further south, Camping Tawarta and a neighbouring bivouac sit a stone's throw from the beach. Nearing town, Camping Moussafir (about 30 MAD, water, electricity, toilets) is the cheapest and best-documented option, and a seaside bivouac is reached by paved road. In town, the motorhome stop on the lagoon shore (about 80 MAD, water, electricity, restaurant) keeps you close to the shops. South of town, the road carries on to Lassarga, at the tip of the peninsula.

The east shore: El Argoub and the White Dune

Across from town, the other side of the bay is reached via the N1, around the head of the lagoon. The village of El Argoub is the base on this wilder side: a bivouac facing Dakhla, the Sidi Brahim point, a bush camp with no services, a stop reached by paved road and the fishermen's campsite, near an anchorage at the south of the bay. Further north on this shore, the White Dune, a big pale dune lapped by the lagoon, is the signature trip: a track, 4x4 recommended, no facilities.

Further south: Imlili and the road to Mauritania

South of the bay, the Imlili sebkha is a curiosity: permanent pools of water in the middle of the desert, with a bivouac spot. The N1 then heads for Mauritania, with bivouacs mapped in the Tchika area (including a second one by the sea), near Lamhiriz, Bir Gandouz and about ten kilometres from the Guerguerat border post. Between the Moroccan and Mauritanian posts, a few kilometres of no man's land are crossed on a track: check visa and insurance requirements before you go.

Practical info

• Season: October to April for winter visitors, with mild days. The wind blows almost all year, strongest from spring to late summer: peak kite season.
• Distances: allow two days from Laâyoune to Dakhla at an easy pace, and carry spare water and diesel between towns.
• Checkpoints: Gendarmerie checkpoints are frequent on the N1. Keep a few photocopies of your passports and vehicle papers (a "fiche") to save time.
• Wild camping: free parking by the sea is sometimes restricted by the authorities. If asked to move on, head to a campsite or a stop. Wind and sand are hard on gear: peg your awning down well.

For the full route from Tangier, see the Atlantic coast by van guide, and for the rules on free camping, wild camping in Morocco. Many listings in the deep south still lack prices and photos: if you pass through, the "Were you there?" button on each listing helps the next travellers a lot.