Sandboarding in Merzouga: A Beginner's Guide to Erg Chebbi's Best Dunes

Where to rent boards, which dunes to ride, and how to actually stay upright on Saharan sand.

By Hassan Ait IdarMay 14, 20268 min read

Tall orange Saharan dunes ideal for sandboarding in Erg Chebbi, Morocco

Sandboarding in Merzouga is the cheapest and most underrated adventure sport in Morocco. The dunes of Erg Chebbi run up to 150 metres tall with consistent slip-face angles — perfect terrain for a beginner board.

Where to Rent

Every auberge at the foot of the dunes rents boards for 50–80 MAD per day. Wooden boards are slow but safe; fibreglass boards with strap bindings (rare, ask in advance) ride faster. Bring socks — bare feet on hot sand by 11 a.m. is a mistake.

Sahara dunes at sunset with camp tents, ideal post-sandboarding location — Most camps lend boards to guests for free.

Best Dunes for Beginners

Start on the smaller dunes immediately behind Auberge du Sud — 20-metre slopes with a soft runout. Once you can stand for the full descent, move to the eastern face of the main dune (Erg Chebbi Sud), which gives a 60-metre ride into a flat bowl.

Technique

Wax the base with regular candle wax — sand creates more friction than snow.
Knees bent, weight slightly forward, arms out for balance.
Ride straight first; carving comes after ten clean descents.
Falling sideways into sand is harmless — falling backward onto your wrist is not. Keep hands forward.

Best Times of Day

Sunrise (6 to 8 a.m.) and late afternoon (4 to 7 p.m.) are the only sensible windows. Between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. the surface temperature exceeds 60°C and the wind drops — boards stick to the sand and you cook.

Combining with a Desert Tour

Most 3-day Sahara tours from Marrakech include a free board at camp. Ask in advance if it matters to you — not every operator stocks them.

Key Takeaways

Boards rent for under 80 MAD a day at every Merzouga auberge.
Wax the base with candle wax for speed.
Only ride sunrise and late afternoon — midday is unbearable.
Beginner slopes sit behind the main auberges; the big east face is for confident riders.