What to wear quad biking in Marrakech: a season-by-season clothing and packing list
If you're wondering what to wear quad biking in Marrakech, the short answer is: closed shoes, long trousers, a scarf for the dust, sunglasses and a warm layer for the evening. That simple kit covers almost every ride, whatever the month. The details change with the season, and that's what this guide is about.
We run quad rides in the Agafay Desert every afternoon, and the same small clothing mistakes come up again and again: sandals, shorts in the cold months, no scarf on a dusty day, or a thin T-shirt for a dinner that ends after dark. Below you'll find what to wear and why, how to adapt it for summer and winter, and a short list of what to bring and what to leave at the hotel.
The basic outfit for quad biking in Marrakech
Whatever the season, this is the outfit that works on the desert tracks:
- Closed shoes. Trainers are perfect. Your feet sit next to the footrests and the engine, and the ground at the stops is stony. Flip-flops and open sandals are a bad idea.
- Long trousers. Jeans, light cotton trousers or leggings. They protect your legs from the sun, from engine heat and from small stones flicked up by the wheels.
- A top with sleeves. A light long-sleeved shirt is ideal most of the year. It keeps the sun off your arms without being hot.
- A scarf or buff. The single most useful item. Wrapped over your nose and mouth, it keeps dust out of your lungs and off your face.
- Sunglasses. Goggles aren't provided on our rides, so sunglasses are your eye protection against dust and glare.
- A warm layer for later. A fleece or light jacket, for the camel ride and dinner after sunset.
Helmets are provided on our rides, so you don't need to bring one. If you have long hair, a hair tie helps a lot under the helmet.
Why the dust matters more than the heat
Agafay is a stone desert: dirt and gravel tracks over rolling hills, not sand dunes. When several quads ride in a convoy, each one lifts a little dust, and on dry days it hangs in the air behind the group. It's not dangerous, but it gets into your eyes, nose, mouth and hair, and it's the thing first-time riders underestimate most.
Tie your scarf before you put on the helmet, covering your nose and mouth, and tuck the ends into your collar so they can't flap loose while you ride.
Scarves aren't included in our trips, so bring your own. Many visitors buy a cheche, the long cotton desert scarf, in the souks of the medina the day before. A simple neck buff or a large cotton scarf from home works just as well. Lighter colours look better in photos, but any colour will do. Leaving a sensible gap behind the quad in front also cuts down the dust a lot.
What to wear quad biking in spring (March to May)
Spring is one of the most comfortable times to ride. Afternoons are usually warm and pleasant, and evenings turn cool once the sun goes down.
- Long trousers and a light long-sleeved top for the ride.
- A fleece or light jacket in your bag for dinner.
- Sun cream and sunglasses: the sun is already strong in April and May.
Spring can be breezy, which means more dust in the air on some days. The scarf stays essential.
What to wear in summer (June to August)
In July and August, afternoons in the Agafay Desert are often above 35 °C. Our trips start at 3:00 PM, so you ride in the late afternoon rather than at midday, but it's still hot. The temptation is to wear shorts and a vest. Resist it, at least partly:
- Light, loose long trousers in cotton or linen are cooler than you'd think, and they stop your legs burning in the sun or touching hot parts of the quad.
- A loose, light-coloured long-sleeved shirt keeps the sun off far better than sun cream alone.
- A damp scarf around your neck at the start of the ride is a nice trick for cooling down.
- Plenty of water. Large water bottles aren't included, so bring what you'll drink, and drink before you start riding, not only afterwards.
Even in summer, the desert cools down after dark. A thin extra layer for dinner is rarely wasted.
What to wear in autumn (September to November)
Autumn is the other sweet spot. September can still feel like summer, October is usually mild and comfortable, and by November the evenings are properly cool. Dress as for spring: long trousers, a light long-sleeved top, a scarf and sunglasses for the ride, and a warmer layer for the evening. In November, make that layer a real jacket rather than a thin cardigan.
What to wear in winter (December to February)
Winter days around Marrakech are often sunny and mild, which surprises many visitors. The catch is the evening: in December and January, nights in Agafay can drop close to 5 °C, and the camel ride and dinner happen around and after sunset.
- Layers. A T-shirt, a long-sleeved top and a fleece or warm jacket that you can take off during the ride and put back on afterwards.
- Something windproof. On a moving quad the air feels colder than it is, especially as the sun drops.
- Gloves are a good idea for the ride itself if your hands get cold easily.
- A hat or beanie for dinner, when the temperature falls quickly.
Winter also brings the clearest views of the snow on the High Atlas, so it's a lovely season to ride if you dress for it. For temperatures month by month, see our sister site's guide to Agafay Desert weather through the year.
Clothing at a glance: season by season
| Season | On the quad | For the evening |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | Long trousers, light long sleeves, scarf, sunglasses | Fleece or light jacket |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Loose light trousers and long sleeves, scarf, water | Thin extra layer |
| Autumn (Sep–Nov) | Long trousers, light long sleeves, scarf, sunglasses | Light jacket, warmer in November |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Layers, windproof jacket, gloves, scarf | Warm jacket and hat |
What to bring on the day
Keep it light. A small backpack or a cross-body bag is plenty:
- Water, enough for the afternoon.
- Sun cream and lip balm.
- Your scarf and sunglasses.
- The warm layer for the evening.
- Cash: payment for our trips is made on site, in cash.
- Your phone, in a zipped pocket while you ride.
- Tissues or wet wipes, which are handy after a dusty ride.
Leave behind anything bulky or valuable that you don't need: large bags, expensive jewellery and loose hats that can blow away. Don't try to take photos or film while riding; wait until the guide stops the group.
What to wear for children on a quad
On our rides, children aged 3 to 15 can ride as passengers behind an adult, while drivers must be 16 or over. Children need the same kit as adults: closed shoes, long trousers, a small scarf or buff and sunglasses if they'll keep them on. Pack an extra warm layer for them, because children tend to get cold faster than adults once the sun goes down. You'll find all the family details on our Agafay quad biking page.
Ready to ride?
Once your outfit is sorted, the rest is simple. Our Quad + Camel + Dinner & Show trip starts with a 3:00 PM pickup in Marrakech, includes a safety briefing and a short practice before the ride, and ends with dinner and a show under the desert sky. Prefer a buggy, or a longer ride without the camel? The build-your-own option lets you choose each part separately.
