The beaches around Tangier by scooter: Corniche, Achakar, Sidi Kacem

Tangier has one beach in town and two you have to earn. The difference fits in a line: the Corniche is ten minutes from the medina, the Atlantic beaches half an hour. A scooter mainly changes the second category — without one you negotiate a taxi out there and hope to find another one back.

The three rides

The Corniche, for the end of an afternoon

The municipal beach runs along the bay for the whole length of Avenue Mohammed VI. 2.2 km from the medina, ten minutes, 7 % of the battery there and back: the cheapest ride on this list and the easiest first outing. It is flat, you park along the promenade, and the sea is on the other side of the pavement.

In July and August it is full, especially in the evening, and that is part of the appeal: the cafés stay open late and the ride home takes ten minutes, lit the whole way. We also deliver around Marina Bay and Malabata if you are staying at that end of the bay.

Achakar, on the Atlantic side

Achakar is on the other side of the peninsula, just north of the Caves of Hercules: 14.2 km, 27 minutes, 47 % of the battery there and back. It is a different sea. Wind, surf, a wide beach and water noticeably colder than in the bay. Give it half a day, not two hours.

The wind often gets up in the afternoon. If you want the beach calm, go in the morning; if you want the waves, come after two.

Sidi Kacem, further in time than in distance

Sidi Kacem is closer than Achakar — 12.5 km — but takes a minute longer: 28 minutes against 27. The last stretch is a small road where you ride slower, and that is exactly what keeps the beach quiet. 42 % of the battery there and back, the thriftiest of the three long rides.

It is a long sand beach with very little built behind it. Bring something to drink: there is not much at the end of that road.

Two beaches in one day

Achakar and Sidi Kacem are on the same side of the peninsula and share the same way out of town, so a day that takes in both stays inside one charge. Keep a margin anyway and do not add a third stop: a full charge takes 4 to 5 hours from a normal socket, and nobody wants to wait that out at the roadside.

A few things learned out there

• Do not ride onto the sand. The scooter digs in and it takes two people to get it out.
• The helmet comes with the scooter; leave it under your things, not in the sun.
• Take anything valuable with you onto the beach.
• Salt and sand on the seat is nothing; sand in the brakes is not.
• The Atlantic beaches have a real current. Look at where everyone else is before you go in.