Surf In Morocco- The Ultimate Guide of 2023 -

Have you ever wanted to surf in Morocco? If not, you really should consider it!

With its long Atlantic coastline and world-class breaks, the Morocco surf spots have something to offer for any type of surfer:

Year-round surfing
Surfing for all levels of surfer
Surf camps
Beaches with a relaxed atmosphere
Plenty to do when not surfing
Over 300 days of sunshine a year

Disclaimer:

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Want to try something new while in Morocco? How about Sandboarding in Morocco? Or maybe hiking in the Atlas Mountains?

For more inspiration on things to do in Morocco, read more here…

11 Best Places To Surf In Morocco

1. Taghazout Morocco surf

One of the best-known places on the coast is Taghazout Morocco because of the many great surfing spots within a short drive. Taghazout surf is known for perfect right-hands and has surf spots for all levels of surfers.

In this area, you will enjoy the well-known spots Killer Point (don’t worry, the name comes from the sharks visiting, but they are harmless), Hash Point, and one of the most visited in the area; Anchor Point.

Tip; if the waves are flat in Taghazout, consider driving north to Imsouane

2. Dracula’s

This spot between Taghazout and Imsouane has its name for a reason – the sharp vertical rocks make it a challenge even for experienced surfers, so take care.

3. Boilers

A little north of the Taghazout area (and 500 meters north of Dracula), you will find a spot with a fast, long right. It is mainly for advanced surfers, because of the shallow and uneven reef.

4. Panorama Beach

This is a good place to learn to surf south of the Taghazout area, less crowded than other spots in the area.

5. Tamraght

Only about 5 kilometers / 10 minutes south of Taghazout is the small and relaxed town of Tamraght Morocco, situated on a mountainside. A good spot here for beginners would be Banana Point. Other spots nearby are Devils Rock and Crocodiles.

If you need a break from surfing, a visit to the market in the small town of Awrir can be recommended. It also goes under the name “Banana Village” because of the big quantities of bananas grown here.

6. Imsouane

An hour and a half north of Taghazout lies Imsouane, a fishing village where everything is within walking distance. It has a beach with a sand bottom for all levels of surfers and is known for having one of the longest rights in Morocco.

The main surf spots in Imsouane are The Bay and Cathedral.

7. Tamri

Tamri is a quiet place, not very touristic, and good for beginners and intermediate surfers.

Located between Taghazoute and Imsouane.

8. Essaouira

Essaouira is a picturesque beach town with a beautiful Old City, rich in history and culture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001 – and an ideal place to learn how to surf. The atmosphere together with waves without rip currents and with no rocks gives you a good place to start surfing.

Essaouira is also a good place for kitesurfers.

9. Sidi Kaouki

25 km south of Essaouira you will find the small and laid-back town of Sidi Kaouki. The spot is recommended for intermediate surfers and has a long sandy beach. This area can be very windy in the summer.

10. Dakhla

The Peninsula of Dakhla is located south of Agadir in Western Sahara with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the sands of Sahara on the other. The area is also popular among wind and kitesurfers, and less visited than the area north of Agadir.

11. Safi

Safi is located south of Casablanca and is a right point break with amazing waves that can rise to 5 meters and up to 500 meters rides. It is well known in the surfing community and most recommended to advanced surfers, especially in the winter (October-March)

Where To Learn To Surf In Morocco

There are several options along the coast to find a surf camp in Morocco.

Surf Maroc – They offer activities besides surfing, for example, yoga. They have two locations around Taghazout and one south of Taghazout. The prices for a camp start at 5586 MAD (599 USD) per week.

Surf Berbere – Also located in Taghazout, right on Hash Point. They have packages for beginners but also for experienced surfers, where your guide will be a local that knows the area and has surfed there for years. Prices start at 4817 MAD (515 USD) per week.

Surf Bebere also offers a course for those wanting to become surf instructors.

Safi Surf Camp – A bit further north, this camp offers a quiet stay with easy access to the beach. The camp is part of a worldwide surf camps network whose main goal is to provide the best surf experience possible to their customers.

Pure Surf Camps – Between Taghazout and Tamraght lies this camp, which offers surf coaching and guiding, tours of the area, and yoga on their rooftop terrace with a view of the ocean.

Loving Surf – This place in Essaouira has over 20 years of experience in teaching surf and kitesurf. Here you can book lessons for your skill level and rent the gear you need.

Sandycamps – If you plan on going to Imsouane, this could be interesting for you. They offer camps from 5870 MAD (630 USD) for 8 days/7 nights including all meals and surfboard rental. Besides surf lessons, the price also includes yoga lessons.

For beginners, it could be instructive to know more about the different kinds of waves, so read more about breaks, lefts, rights, etc. here.

Best Season To Go Surfing In Morocco

The winter season from October through March is the best time of the year to surf in Morocco when the waves tend to get bigger and the swells strong. The temperatures in the winter lie around 20 degrees celsius, and the water temperature is around 16-18 degrees celsius.

It is possible to surf all year though, but not in all areas, so check out what areas are good for surfing at the time of your trip to Morocco.

How to Get To and Around Morocco

Most people fly to Morocco and land at Agadir airport (AGA) for the area around Taghazout, which is only a half-hour trip by taxi or private car from the airport and one of the most popular areas to surf.

If you plan to go to Dakhla (VIL), it is recommended to fly there as it is a long drive from Agadir.

For surfing in the north, you can fly into Casablanca (CMN) or come by ferry from Spain.

Getting around in Morocco is easy and convenient by car or taxi, but you can also travel by public transport, bus or train. The trains only run to coastal towns north of El Jadida, so traveling by bus in the area Agadir – Taghazout is your best option.

A convenient way to get around is with the Souk to Surf shuttle bus that runs almost daily from Taghazout, Tamraght, Essaouira, and Agadir to Imsouane. Prices lie between 105 MAD (11 USD) and 210 MAD (22 USD).

The bus also connects Marrakech airport to Taghazout for only 210 MAD (22 USD).

Where To Stay In Morocco?

According to a recently published article on Forbes, Taghazout is Morocco’s new luxury resort destination. So that is one more reason to surf Morocco.

Taghazout Villa – If you want to stay where most of the surf action is, Taghazout is the place for you. Taghazout Villa has 12 rooms, all with a sea view and a private bathroom, and of course storage for your surf gear. They also offer packages on surf guiding (for intermediate and experienced surfers) and surf coaching.

Taghazout Surf House – In the same area is the Taghazout Surf House, an apartment 200 meters off the beach with room for 5 people, with 2 bathrooms, and a nice sea view.

Dar Lazuli Bed & Breakfast – The historical town of Essaouira offers many wonderful places to stay. This Bed n Breakfast is located only 200 meters from the beach and has three small apartments each with a kitchenette and a city view.

The Surf & Friends Lodge in Tamraght is overlooking the Taghazout bay and has a lovely pool if you want to relax. The lodge offers Bed n Breakfast, surf coaching and guiding, and yoga instruction.

Best Food In Morocco

Moroccan food is a mix of many cuisines, for example, Arabic, Mediterranean, Andalusian and African.

Couscous – The national dish and probably also the most famous dish from Morocco known outside of the country is Couscous. It is often served with meat and/or vegetables.

Tangine – Another known dish is Tangine, and the name of the dish comes from the clay pot in which the food is prepared. The dish is prepared from vegetables and chicken, beef or fish.

Shakshuka – Known outside Morocco is also Shakshuka, usually served for breakfast. It is a dish with poached eggs in a spiced tomato sauce served with bread.
Tip: Do not forget to try Moroccan mint tea with your breakfast.

Khobz/Bread – For most meals in Morocco, stew, soup, or Tangine are served with bread, typically Khobz.

FAQ

Currency In Morocco

Dirham (DH). 100 Dirham equals 10,80 USD (December 2021). Paying with a credit card is widely accepted. We recommend bringing credit cards (Mastercard and Visa) and cash (Euro, USD, or GBP)

Language

The official languages of Morocco are Arabic and Amazigh. French is widely spoken, and Spanish is often spoken in the north of the country.

Time Zone

Morocco is using Central European Time (CET) or GMT/UTC+1. During Ramadan, GMT is observed.

Required Vaccinations

Before going to Morocco always check the current situation and requirements online and by consulting your doctor. Also, get more useful information from The World Health Organization.

Does Morocco Have Good Surfing?

Morocco has very good surfing for surfers of all levels. The winter (October through March) is better than the summer, where it tends to be windier.

When Can You Surf In Morocco?

You can surf Morocco all year round. The waves are bigger in the winter from October through March, but all surfers can find surf spots matching their skill level all year round.

Things To Bring On Your Surf Trip To Morocco

The most important thing to bring/have for your trip is travel insurance together with a first aid kit. I hope you will not need any of it, but recommend you to get it anyway.

Other Things To Pack:

Your Surf gear (if you don’t plan to rent)
Sunscreen, I recommend a reef-safe sunscreen like SurfDurt. See other options here.
Wetsuit (can also be rented)
A water bottle you can refill (one with a filter is highly recommended, I suggest this bottle)
Headlamp or flashlight, like this waterproof headlamp
Electrolytes / Oral Rehydration Solutions to avoid dehydration
Medication in case you get diarrhea

Is Surfing In Morocco Safe?

When traveling in Morocco you should take normal precautions, and respect the laws and the culture. Surfing in Morocco is not safer/more unsafe than surfing in other countries in the world.

It is recommended to only wear your swimwear on the beach, as Morocco is a Muslim country. In general, it is recommended to dress modestly and always cover shoulders and knees.

Do You Need A Wetsuit To Surf In Morocco?

A 2mm wetsuit is recommended when you surf Morocco in the summer. In the winter (October through March) you will need a 3/2mm or 4/3mm wetsuit.

Can You Surf In Marrakech?

The city of Marrakech is worth a visit, but to surf, you will have to go to Morocco’s Atlantic coast, for example, Essaouira or Sidi Kaouki. Both are a 2,5 hours drive from Marrakech.

For things to do in Marrakech, Forbes has some great recommendations.

Conclusion

Morocco has a lot to offer when it comes to long sandy beaches, wonderful weather with over 300 days of sunshine a year, colorful medinas, tasty food, interesting culture, exotic shopping, historical places to visit, and of course great surfing conditions.

Being so close to Europe makes Morocco a perfect place to travel in the European winter if you want to go surfing or just need some time off in a warmer climate.

When you come to surf in Morocco we assure you that you can find a beach that matches your skill level, whether you are a beginner, intermediate or experienced surfer.

Surf In Morocco- The Ultimate Guide of 2023