Dakhla Attitude

A bungalow camp facing Dragon Island

Dakhla Attitude stands on Dragon Beach, at the point of the same name, on the lagoon, about 27 km from the airport. In front of the bungalows, Dragon Island — a large dune of sand and rock that the wind has shaped like a dragon seen side-on — closes the view. The hotel belongs to the Dakhla Hospitality Group, which runs other addresses on the bay, including PK25 and Westpoint.

The hotel presents itself as an eco-lodge: buildings in natural local materials, low-energy lighting, low-pressure water fittings, its own energy production, and some fruit and vegetables grown in the garden.

The room rate includes full board, wifi, the gym and transfers to and from the airport. The daily menu, a different buffet each day, is served in the restaurant. In low and mid season the hotel offers seven nights for the price of six.

The Duotone centre and the water

Everything revolves around the Duotone Pro Center Dakhla, open all year: lessons for beginners, intermediates and advanced riders, rental of recent Duotone gear, a shop, a repair workshop and trips to other spots on the bay. Instructors are IKO (International Kiteboarding Organization) or VDWS (Verband Deutscher Wassersportschulen, the German federation of water-sports schools) certified; lessons are mainly in French and English, and also in German, Spanish, Polish and Arabic. The centre also offers kitefoil, wingfoil, windsurfing, wakeboarding, wakefoiling and paddleboarding.

The main spot is a small lagoon within the bay that runs out to Dragon Island, right in front of the hotel. It is divided into zones: one reserved for the centre's lessons, another open to registered independent instructors, and separate zones for kitesurfing and windsurfing. The wind usually comes from the north, cross-shore on the beach; in a north-easterly it blows onshore and allows long runs from the island to the end of the lagoon. A rescue boat is available. Wind and wave forecasts are posted every other day on the hotel's information boards, and a red flag means conditions are unsuitable and safety cover is not available.

Some 200 m east of the camp, the Speed Spot appears at low tide: a small sandbar about 40 cm high frees up around 2 km of flat, deep water, made for speed and jumps. On windless days, catamaran, paddleboard, kayak or wakeboard take over. The boat crossing to Dragon Island costs 220 Moroccan dirhams (MAD); at low tide you can walk or swim there, wearing shoes, as the sand is covered in shells.

Our advice: check the tides before booking your lessons. The riding area shrinks at low tide in the bay; that, on the other hand, is when the Speed Spot comes alive.

Out of the water

The Beach Bar is 10 m from the main spot: you can watch the sessions with a fruit juice in hand, and a DJ plays at sunset twice a week. The Pink Flamingo Bar, open daily until after midnight, hosts the weekly Pink Flamingo parties, with a dance floor and live music. The restaurant blends Moroccan and international cooking, from tagines to spiny lobster and fresh fish; Moroccan dishes should be ordered in advance.

The Spa Attitude offers massages and face, body and hair treatments. The hotel also has padel courts, yoga classes, a gym and a cable park. Breezefest is an evening in the dunes: sunset with a pianist, dinner under a Sahrawi tent, then a concert.

Which bungalow to choose

• The VIPs, in the centre of Dragon Camp, look over the lagoon, the Speed Spot and Dragon Island: VIP A (40 m²) sleeps three, with a sofa, a large picture window and a bathroom with separate shower and WC; VIP B (30 m²) is designed for couples.
• Dragon Camp, the first bungalows built, near reception, the restaurant and the Pink Flamingo; Dragon Camp Premium (32 m²) sleeps four adults, or two adults and two children.
• WindHunter Camp, 500 m from the restaurant in a wilder corner, has bungalows of up to about 30 m², looking over the main spot and PK25.
• Speed Spot, connecting bungalows between sand and lagoon, for four.

For a couple who rides, VIP B; for a family, Dragon Camp Premium, near the restaurant and kids' club; for quiet, WindHunter.

With children

The kids' club offers games, beach activities, crafts, sports and films. Under-15s must take private kitesurf lessons, with a waiver signed by their parents, who must stay on site during the lesson; under-14s get 30% off kitesurf and wingfoil lessons. In the VIPs, children under 4 stay free.

Sabaro's view

Who it suits: kitesurfers and windsurfers of all levels, active families.

Strengths: the spot in front of your bungalow; a Duotone centre open all year, with certified instructors; the Speed Spot at low tide; full board and transfers included.

Good to know: the hotel is outside the town; the bungalows are simple; the Pink Flamingo is lively at night; the Booking.com score is 7.9/10, from more than 500 reviews. For desert excursions: any route that leaves the paved coast road requires prior approval from the Royal Gendarmerie or the Royal Armed Forces; have the route checked by your provider.