The Agafay Desert can be visited all year, but the experience changes a lot with the seasons: a golden spring evening, a scorching July afternoon and a crisp winter night under the stars are three very different trips. Here is how the year looks in the Agafay, and what to wear in each season.
The short answer
- Most comfortable: March to May and late September to November.
- Clearest Atlas views: winter and early spring, when the peaks are often snow-capped.
- Hottest: June to August; go late in the day and plan to stay for sunset.
- Coldest nights: December to February, important if you sleep in a camp.
The Agafay climate in numbers
There is no official weather station in the Agafay itself, but its climate is close to that of Marrakech, about 45 minutes away. Average highs and lows in Marrakech give a useful guide:
| Month | Average high | Average low |
|---|---|---|
| January | 19°C | 7°C |
| February | 21°C | 8°C |
| March | 23°C | 11°C |
| April | 25°C | 13°C |
| May | 28°C | 15°C |
| June | 33°C | 18°C |
| July | 37°C | 21°C |
| August | 37°C | 21°C |
| September | 32°C | 19°C |
| October | 28°C | 16°C |
| November | 23°C | 11°C |
| December | 19°C | 8°C |
Source: long-term averages for Marrakech from WeatherSpark, rounded. In the open desert, nights often feel colder than these figures because there are no buildings to hold the heat, and the wind can be stronger.
Season by season
Spring (March to May)
For many travellers, the best time of all. Days are warm rather than hot, evenings are mild, and after winter rain the hills can carry a light green tint. The Atlas often keeps its snow into April. It is also a popular season, so it is worth booking camp dinners or overnight stays ahead.
Summer (June to August)
Afternoons are very hot, regularly in the high 30s and sometimes above 40°C. The Agafay is still enjoyable if you go late: arrive in the last hours of daylight, enjoy the sunset, and stay for dinner when the air cools down. Avoid midday activities such as quad biking in the heat, and drink plenty of water.
Autumn (September to November)
A second sweet spot. September can still be hot, but October and November bring pleasant days and comfortable evenings. November is usually the wettest month in Marrakech, though rain is still infrequent.
Winter (December to February)
Sunny, mild days and cold nights. The air is often very clear, which makes for the sharpest views of the snow-capped Atlas and excellent stargazing. If you sleep in a camp, ask about heating and extra blankets, and bring a proper warm layer; nights in the Agafay can be cold from November to March.
What to wear in the Agafay
- Layers: a T-shirt for the afternoon and a fleece or warm jacket for after sunset, in every season except high summer.
- Long, light trousers: more comfortable than shorts for a camel ride or a quad, and they protect you from sun and dust.
- Closed shoes: trainers or light walking shoes are ideal on stony ground.
- A scarf: useful against sun, wind and dust; you can wrap it around your head.
- Sun protection: sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat, even in winter.
- For a night in a camp: warm clothes to sleep in from late autumn to early spring, a small torch and a power bank.
Best time of day
Whatever the month, the late afternoon is the moment to be there. The low sun brings out the shape of the hills and turns them gold, then pink and purple after sunset. Sunset is around 6.30 pm in midwinter and after 8.30 pm in June, so pick-up times move through the year. On our Agafay sunset trip, we set the pick-up time with you so that you arrive with time to spare before sunset.
Photography tips
- Arrive early enough to find a viewpoint on a hilltop; the light changes fast.
- Shoot towards the Atlas in the hour before sunset, and turn around for the colours in the sky after it.
- Windy days can lift dust: keep a cloth for your lens and avoid changing lenses outdoors.
- For stars, choose a night close to the new moon and stay overnight, away from camp lights.
Frequently asked questions
Can I visit the Agafay in summer?
Yes, but go in the late afternoon and stay for the evening. Midday heat is intense from June to August.
Is it cold in the Agafay at night?
In winter, yes: nights can be close to the low single figures in °C. In spring and autumn, a fleece is usually enough.
Does it rain in the Agafay?
Rarely. Most of the little rain falls between November and March.
Read next: our complete Agafay Desert guide and day trip or overnight camp?
Ready to go?
Our private Agafay Desert sunset trip runs all year, and the 2-day Agafay and Atlas tour adds a night under the stars. Book online and save 10%, or tell us your dates and we will suggest the best timing.
