Car Rental Dakhla: A Guide to the Best Beaches

With a car rental in Dakhla, the beaches of the peninsula open up on your own schedule: a morning on the lagoon, a picnic facing the Atlantic, a sunset over an empty cove. This guide explains how the coastline works, which car suits which beach, and how to plan relaxed, safe beach days.

Lagoon or ocean: the two sides of Dakhla’s coast

Dakhla sits on a long, narrow peninsula, which gives you two very different kinds of beaches, often a short drive apart:

• The lagoon side: usually calmer water, wide sandbanks at low tide and huge open views. This is where kitesurfers and families tend to head.
• The ocean side: a wilder shoreline with cliffs, waves and beaches people visit mostly for the scenery, long walks and, for experienced riders, surfing.

A car lets you switch between the two on the same day, depending on the wind, the light and your mood. Before you go, check our tips on the best time to visit Dakhla by car.

Beaches worth driving to around Dakhla

Rather than a fixed ranking, here are the main types of beaches you will come across as you explore:

• Foum Labouir: a beach popular with Dakhla residents, great for soaking up the local seaside atmosphere, especially late in the day and at weekends.
• Lassarga and the Atlantic coast: on the ocean side, an area known to surfers, with waves and dramatic coastal viewpoints.
• Lagoon beaches: along the road that follows the bay, several sandy areas open onto turquoise water, with plenty of kitesurf spots.
• The White Dune: a bright sandbank in the middle of the lagoon and one of Dakhla’s most iconic sights. Access depends on tides and local conditions.
• Wild coves: driving along the coast, you will spot small undeveloped bays, perfect for a photo stop if you stay careful.

Tracks and access points can change with wind and drifting sand, so ask locally before taking a route you don’t know.

Which rental car for a beach trip?

The right car mainly depends on how you plan to reach the beach:

• Economy or compact car: ideal for beaches close to town that you can reach on paved roads. Cheap to run and easy to park.
• SUV: more comfort, more ground clearance and more room for gear (umbrella, cooler bag, boards). A great choice for families and groups.
• 4×4: recommended if you plan to use sandy tracks or reach wilder spots. Even in a 4×4, never drive on the beach itself or onto unfamiliar soft sand.

At CMB CARS we offer economy cars, compacts, SUVs and 4x4s at fixed prices with no hidden fees. Our team speaks English, French, Spanish and Arabic and will help you pick the right car for your plans.

Practical tips for a great beach day

• Check the wind and tides: Dakhla is often windy, which changes the experience from one beach to another and affects access to some sandbanks.
• Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, a hat and some shade: most beaches have very little.
• Fill up before heading out of town: fuel stations become scarce once you leave the main roads.
• Park on firm ground, away from soft sand and the tide line.
• Keep valuables out of sight in the car.
• Leave no trace: take your rubbish with you and avoid driving over dunes and vegetation.
• Tell someone your route if you are heading to remote areas.

For more advice, read our desert road safety tips.

Planning a beach day from Dakhla

A good beach day follows the light and the wind:

• Morning: soft light and often calmer lagoon water, perfect for swimming and photos.
• Midday: head back to town or to a lagoon-side restaurant for lunch and skip the hottest hours.
• Late afternoon: drive to the ocean side to watch the sun set over the Atlantic.

That is the real benefit of a rental car: no fixed timetable, no waiting for taxis, and the freedom to switch beaches if the wind changes.

Book your car with CMB CARS

CMB CARS is open 24/7. We offer pick-up at Dakhla Airport and delivery to your hotel, depending on booking conditions. Booking takes just a few minutes, with fixed prices and no hidden fees.

• Address: 01 Boulevard Ahmed Bahnini, Dakhla 73000
• Phone: +212 643 646 387

FAQ: Dakhla beaches by car

Do I need a 4×4 to reach the beaches in Dakhla?

Not necessarily. An economy car or SUV is enough for beaches reachable by road. A 4×4 becomes useful if you want to follow sandy tracks to wilder coves.

Can you swim on the ocean side?

The ocean side is more exposed to waves and currents and is mostly enjoyed for its scenery and surfing. For a calm swim, the lagoon side is usually a better choice. Always check the day’s conditions.

Can I collect the car at the airport and drive straight to the beach?

Yes. CMB CARS offers pick-up at Dakhla Airport depending on booking conditions, so your trip can start at the beach the day you land.

Ready to explore Dakhla’s beaches? Book your car with CMB CARS in a few minutes, at a fixed price with no hidden fees.