Oualidia

Oualidia is in the centre of one of the richest birdlife habitats in Morocco and an important resting area for migrating birds in Spring and Autumn. The coastal wetlands, sands and saltpans, the jagged reefs and the lagoons of Sidi Moussa and Oualidia shelter a huge range of species - pink flamingoes, avocets, stilts, godwits, storks, waders, terns, egrets, warblers and many others.

OUALIDIA, 78km from El Jadida, is a stunningly picturesque little resort - a fishing port and lagoon beach, flanked by a kasbah and a royal villa. The kasbah is seventeenth century, built by the Saadian Sultan El Oualid (after whom the village is named) as a counterweight and alternative to El Jadida, then held by the Portuguese. Until Sultan Sidi Mohammed took El Jadida, the extensive lagoon made an excellent harbour and, as late as 1875, a French geographer thought that "by a little dredging the place would again become the safest shipping station on the whole Moroccan seaboard". The royal villa, which now stands empty, was built by Mohammed V, who celebrated many birthdays and other family events here.

Today, most Moroccans know Oualidia for its Japanese oysters ; Morocco's first oyster farm was launched here in 1957 and nowadays it harvests some 200 tons a year, most of which are sold locally. But the town really deserves to be better known as a resort: its beach is excellent for surfing and windsurfing, the atmosphere is relaxed, and swimming is safe and easy.