Foum el Oued

Foum el Oued is where the Saguia el Hamra, the long dry river valley that crosses the northern part of the territory, reaches the Atlantic, and a settlement has grown at the mouth as the beach for Laayoune. There is sand, an estuary that holds water for part of the year and a long empty coast running away in both directions. Birds use the estuary when there is water in it.

What you actually see

• The river mouth - where the Saguia el Hamra reaches the ocean.
• The beach - the sand that serves as the coast for Laayoune.
• The estuary - water standing in the mouth for part of the year.
• The empty coast - shoreline running away with nothing on it.

When to go

November to March is cooler and the estuary is most likely to hold water. Fog off the cold current is common. Wind is strong most days.

Honest expectations

The water is cold and the surf is strong; swimming is not straightforward. Facilities are limited to the settlement itself. The estuary is dry for much of the year.

Nearby

Laayoune is east, and the coast runs south.