Total Solar Eclipse 2027 in Morocco: Best Places to Watch on 2 August
Total solar eclipse 2027 in Morocco – on the morning of Monday 2 August 2027 the Moon will completely hide the Sun over the north of the country, with up to almost five minutes of darkness near Tangier.
This is one of the longest total eclipses visible from land this century. The path of totality comes in from the Atlantic, crosses the Strait of Gibraltar and runs along Morocco’s Mediterranean side before continuing over Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Egypt, where the longest totality of all (more than six minutes) is expected near Luxor. In Morocco the show happens in the morning, roughly between 9:45 and 9:50 local time for the total phase.
Where totality is longest in Morocco
Only the north of Morocco is inside the path of totality. The closer you are to the centre line, the longer the darkness lasts. Approximate durations:
| Place | Total phase |
|---|---|
| Tangier | about 4 min 50 s |
| Tétouan | about 4 min 50 s |
| El Jebha | about 4 min 20 s |
| Chefchaouen | about 4 min 15 s |
| Saïdia | about 4 min |
| Ksar el-Kebir | about 3 min 45 s |
| Oujda | about 1 min |
Times are approximate and depend on your exact position; check an eclipse map for your viewing spot before the day.
And in Fes, Marrakech and Merzouga?
South of the path you will only see a partial eclipse. It is still impressive, but the sky does not go dark and you must keep eclipse glasses on the whole time:
- Fes: about 98% of the Sun covered
- Marrakech: about 89%
- Erfoud: about 88%
- Merzouga: about 86%
So the honest advice is simple: if you want the full experience, spend the morning of 2 August in the north, then head south to the dunes afterwards. Merzouga is perfect for the nights around the eclipse, with dark skies and the Milky Way above Erg Chebbi, but it is not inside totality.
A 7-day eclipse and Sahara plan
- Day 1 – Tangier: arrive and check your viewing spot near the coast.
- Day 2 (2 August) – Eclipse morning: totality around 9:45–9:50, then drive to Chefchaouen.
- Day 3 – Chefchaouen to Fes: afternoon in the medina.
- Day 4 – Fes to Merzouga: cross the Middle Atlas and the Ziz valley, camel ride at sunset.
- Day 5 – Merzouga: dunes, nomad families and a night of stargazing in a desert camp.
- Day 6 – Todra and Dades gorges.
- Day 7 – Ouarzazate and Marrakech.
We can run this route privately. Start from our tours from Tangier, or look at tours from Fes and tours from Marrakech if you fly into another city.
August practicalities
- Eye safety: look at the partial phases only through certified eclipse glasses (ISO 12312-2). Remove them only during totality, and put them back as soon as the Sun reappears.
- Heat: the Sahara often goes above 40°C in August. In Merzouga plan activities for early morning and sunset, drink plenty of water and choose a camp with good shade.
- Crowds: hotels in Tangier, Tétouan and Chefchaouen will fill up early, and August is also the busy summer holiday season. Book well ahead.
- Weather: summer skies in the north are usually clear, but coastal morning haze is possible; a site a little inland can be a good backup.
For more on the desert itself, read our Merzouga desert travel guide and the Merzouga trip page.
Quick answers
Will the eclipse be total in Merzouga?
No. Merzouga gets a deep partial eclipse of about 86%. Totality is only visible in the north, from Tangier to Saïdia.
What time is the eclipse in Morocco?
The total phase happens in the morning, roughly 9:45–9:50 local time, with the partial phases about an hour before and after.
Is Tangier a good base?
Yes. Tangier and Tétouan are close to the centre line, with nearly five minutes of totality and good transport links.
Planning to see the 2027 eclipse and the Sahara in one trip? Contact us and we will plan a private route around 2 August.