What to do at the lake, and how to book
- Kayak, pedal boat, paddleboard: rented at the water's edge by operators along the shore, by the hour or half hour. Prices are negotiated on the spot: ask for the price per person and the real duration before getting in.
- Quad or buggy: offered around the lake and on the tracks. For licence, age and safety rules, read quad, buggy and camel rides in Marrakech; to compare online outings, see quad or buggy in Marrakech: which offer?.
- Lunch: guesthouses and restaurants on the shore, with terraces over the water. Some let lunch guests use their pool.
- Swimming: this is a reservoir; swimming is officially forbidden and the banks are not supervised.
Getting there: driver, taxi or bus
The lake is 40 to 45 minutes away on the Amizmiz road. The simplest way is a private driver or a grand taxi booked for the round trip (see private driver in Marrakech by the day). Buses to Amizmiz from the Sidi Mimoun station serve the village, but allow about 1 h 30. More on the place: Lake Lalla Takerkoust.
Half day or full day?
- Half day: leave around 10 am, kayak or pedal boat, lunch, back mid-afternoon.
- Full day with the desert: the lake combines with the nearby Agafay desert and an evening with dinner; see dinner show in Agafay.
Pitfalls
- Vague prices: have them spell out what is included (helmet, fuel, instructor, life jacket) before paying.
- Water level: it depends on rainfall; it was very low after several dry years and rose markedly with the winter of 2025-2026.
- Camel and donkey: animal rides are offered on the shore; we don't recommend them as an attraction.
- Weekends: the lake draws many Marrakech families; come on a weekday, especially in summer.
- Heat: in summer, choose morning or late afternoon.
Which option?
- Relaxing: kayak or pedal boat, then lunch by the water.
- Thrills: quad or buggy, with an operator that provides a helmet and an instructor.
- Families: pedal boat and lunch, easier than a long track; see Marrakech with children.
