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Off Essaouira’s port to the southwest are the islands of Mogador. They are composed of several tiny islets and two bigger islands. One of these is called the Pharaoh Island: it got a 30 hectare surface and some old interesting fortifications such as a prison and a mosque. These islands protect the bay from the strong waves of the Atlantic Ocean.

The Mogador islands are considered as a protected site, sheltering a bird sanctuary. A couple of endangered Eelanora’s falcons live there, with some gulls. Since 1980, these islands were classified as a Site of Biological and Ecological Interest (SIBE).

Archaeological research has proved that the Mogador islands were formerly frequented by Greeks, Cyprians, Phoenicians, Mauritanians, Carthaginians, and Romans since the 6th century BC.

In 1950, the first excavations recovered coins -currently exposed in the archaeological museum of Rabat-, ceramic fragments and some Roman amphoras.

In 1951, researchers discovered older treasures at a deeper level of 2 meters: Punic lamps and a Semitic epigraphy.

And between 1956 and 1959, more excavations revealed Phoenician ceramic, fragments of Greek amphoras, plus some Cyprian vases.

The islands of Mogador are also known as the purpura islands, as the Mauritanian king Juba II established a factory there to extract the famous Tyrian purple dye. Murex –a type of mollusc- is collected, and its shells are processed to get a powder that provides the purple pigment. During that period, Romans appreciated very much the purple colour considered as a sign of power and nobility.

A trip to the Mogador islands from Essaouira takes 15 minutes, but not everyone is allowed to go there. It’s mandatory to get a permit from the Essaouira authorities in order to be able to head to the island, which is now possible only for scientific purposes.