Sandboarding in the Sahara: A Complete Guide

Sandboarding is exactly what it sounds like — strapping into a board and riding down a dune — and Erg Chebbi near Merzouga is one of the best places in the world to try it, thanks to dunes that rise over 150 meters with long, steep faces close to established desert camps. It's an easy add-on to most Sahara itineraries, takes about an hour, and needs no prior experience.

Why sand works (almost) like snow

Fine, dry Saharan sand behaves surprisingly like packed snow when it's waxed correctly. Boards are coated with a special wax or candle-based wax before each run to reduce friction, since sand grips more than snow does. Without wax, a board barely moves; with it, you get real speed on a steep dune face. Guides at established camps handle the waxing and know which dune faces are currently in the best condition, since wind constantly reshapes the Erg Chebbi dunes.

Best dunes for sandboarding

• Erg Chebbi (Merzouga) — the tallest and most famous dune system in Morocco, with faces steep enough for genuine speed and camps set up right at their base.
• Erg Chigaga (near Zagora/M'Hamid) — larger and more remote, with fewer people around but a longer drive to reach.
• Agafay Desert (near Marrakech) — rocky, stony terrain rather than true sand dunes, so it's better for quad biking and camel rides than sandboarding.

If sandboarding is a priority, Erg Chebbi is the more reliable choice, and it's the dune system featured on most multi-day desert routes from Marrakech and Fes.

When it's included on a desert tour

Sandboarding is commonly offered as a free or low-cost add-on activity at Erg Chebbi camps, usually in the late afternoon before sunset drinks or after the morning trek back from camel trekking. It's not always mentioned upfront, so it's worth asking your camp or guide directly when booking a multi-day desert trip, such as a 4-day private Sahara tour from Marrakech, whether boards are available at your camp.

Tips for first-timers

1. Start on a shorter, gentler slope before attempting the tallest dune face.
2. Sit and slide feet-first on your first run if standing feels intimidating — it's still fun and far less likely to end in a tumble.
3. Wear closed shoes or expect to lose sandals in the sand; also expect sand in your clothes and pockets no matter what.
4. Climbing back up the dune is the tiring part, not the ride down — pace yourself and take breaks.
5. Go right before sunset for the best light and cooler temperatures for the climb.

Is it worth doing?

For most travelers, yes — it's a short, genuinely fun burst of activity that breaks up a day otherwise spent riding camels and watching the desert light change. It pairs naturally with the broader experience covered in our camel trekking Sahara guide, since both usually happen from the same camp on the same evening. For general context on visiting the region, Morocco's official tourism portal has more on the Merzouga area.

Practical tips before you go

Bring a scarf or buff to keep sand out of your face on windy days, apply sunscreen even late in the day, and don't wear anything you're precious about — sand gets everywhere and stays in shoes and bags for days afterward.