Agafay Desert weather by month: temperatures, sunset times and what to wear

Agafay weather at a glance, month by month

There is no official weather station in the Agafay Desert itself, so the figures below are the long-term averages for Marrakech (Menara station, 1991–2020). Agafay is only 30 to 40 km away and has a very similar climate, but because it's open, stony and exposed, the afternoon sun feels stronger there and the evening air feels cooler than in the city streets.

Month	Average high	Average low	Rainy days	Sunset (mid-month)
January	19 °C	6 °C	3	6:50 PM
February	21 °C	8 °C	4	7:20 PM
March	24 °C	10 °C	5	7:40 PM
April	26 °C	12 °C	3	8:00 PM
May	29 °C	15 °C	1–2	8:20 PM
June	34 °C	18 °C	under 1	8:40 PM
July	38 °C	21 °C	under 1	8:40 PM
August	37 °C	21 °C	1	8:15 PM
September	33 °C	19 °C	1	7:40 PM
October	29 °C	16 °C	2	7:00 PM
November	23 °C	11 °C	4	6:35 PM
December	20 °C	7 °C	4	6:30 PM

Rainy days are days with at least 1 mm of rain; the whole year only brings about 220 mm. Sunset times are Morocco time and move by a few minutes across each month. During Ramadan, Morocco moves its clocks back by one hour, so for those weeks sunset is about an hour earlier on the clock.

Winter in Agafay: December to February

Winter days are usually bright and clear, with afternoons around 19 to 21 °C. It's the season with the sharpest views of the High Atlas, whose peaks are often snow-capped and look spectacular from the desert. The catch is the evening: once the sun drops, the temperature falls fast, and nights can get close to 5 °C. The sun also sets early, around 6:30 to 7:20 PM, so the evening part of a trip is cold and dark.

What to wear in winter: long trousers, closed shoes, a warm jumper or fleece and a proper jacket for after dark. Gloves are welcome on a quad or buggy in December and January.

Spring: March to May

Spring is one of the best times to visit. Afternoons are warm without being tiring, evenings are cool and pleasant, and in March the Atlas can still be white. By May the heat builds, with afternoons near 30 °C, but it's still a very comfortable month for riding, especially on a late-afternoon trip. Spring can be breezy, which means more dust on some days.

What to wear in spring: a light long-sleeved top and long trousers for the ride, and a fleece or light jacket in your bag for the evening.

Summer: June to August

Summer is hot. In July and August, afternoons average 37 to 38 °C, and the stony ground reflects the heat back at you. That's why trips leave Marrakech at 3:00 PM: you do your activities in the late afternoon rather than in the midday sun. Summer evenings are warm and pleasant, and the days are long, with sunset around 8:15 to 8:40 PM.

What to wear in summer: loose, light-coloured clothes that still cover your legs for a quad or buggy ride, a hat or scarf, sunglasses and plenty of sun cream. Large bottles of water aren't included, so bring enough to drink.

Autumn: September to November

September still feels like summer in the afternoon (around 33 °C), but the evenings soften. October and November are, for many visitors, the sweet spot: warm afternoons, cool evenings and generally settled weather. By late November the nights are chilly again and the first snow can appear on the Atlas.

What to wear in autumn: light clothes for the activities and a warm layer you can add when the sun goes down. From November, bring a proper jacket.

What to wear in the Agafay Desert, whatever the month

Some things don't change with the seasons. This is the outfit that works for a quad, buggy or camel ride followed by dinner:

• Closed shoes. Trainers are perfect. The ground is stony, and on a quad your feet sit near the footrests and the engine.
• Long trousers. They protect your legs from the sun, engine heat and flying gravel, and they're more comfortable on a camel saddle.
• A scarf or buff. The most useful thing you can bring. Agafay is dusty, especially when quads or buggies ride in a line. Scarves aren't provided, so bring your own or buy a cotton desert scarf in the souks the day before.
• Sunglasses. Goggles aren't provided, so sunglasses are your protection against dust and glare.
• A warm layer for the evening, in every season except the height of summer.
• Sun cream and water. The sun is strong from April to October.

You don't need to bring a helmet: helmets are provided for quad and buggy rides, and every ride starts with a safety briefing. If you have long hair, a hair tie makes life under a helmet much easier. Our quad biking page and camel ride page explain the rides themselves.

Rain, wind and what happens if the weather turns

Rain is rare. It falls mostly between November and April, usually as short showers rather than long wet days, and there are only a handful of rainy days in any month. Wind is the more common nuisance: on a breezy day the dust is more noticeable, which is when the scarf earns its place.

If the weather is bad enough to stop an activity, you're not left out of pocket: you can move to the next suitable day for free or get a full refund. And you can cancel for free up to 24 hours before your trip, which helps if a forecast looks doubtful.

The best time to visit the Agafay Desert

For comfort, choose March to May or September to November: warm afternoons for riding, cool evenings for dinner and the clearest light. Winter is excellent for crisp air and snowy Atlas views if you dress warmly. Summer works well too, as long as you keep to the late-afternoon timing, drink plenty and dress for the sun. You can see every option on our Agafay desert tours page.