Separated from Europe by the narrow Strait of Gibraltar, Morocco is often considered an extension of the Old Continent by passionate wave riders. Having been pinned on the surf map ever since the 1950s, the country has become a stronghold for surfers from far and wide, who flock to its awesome waves to escape the cold winters back home.
One of the most fascinating destinations in North Africa, colorful and vibrant Morocco has no less than 1,140 miles (1,850 kilometers) of coastline dotted with firing point breaks and sheltered beach breaks.
Surfing in Morocco is an experience you simply must try at least once in your life. Test your balance on the waves, soak up in the desert sun and ride a camel, hit the souks (markets), bathe at a hammam, try the local spicy and aromatic food, chill out on the long white sandy beaches, and… repeat! All with the help of your trusty guide to surfing in Morocco:
When to surf in Morocco
Thanks to its consistent waves, Morocco is widely regarded as a year-round surfing destination. However, it is during autumn and winter that the country’s breaks truly come to life.
The best time to surf in Morocco is between October and April. September and October are usually good months all along the coast, but spring is far less consistent and some breaks can go completely flat in summer. During these months, the area between Safi and the country’ capital Rabat is usually more reliable.
Even though Morocco is a popular winter surfing destination, you’ll still need a 3/2 wetsuit, as water temperature varies between 16 °C (61 °F) in winter and 22 °C (72 °F) in summer. Regardless of the season, you’ll still be able to chill out in board shorts on the beach.
Best surf spots in Morocco
The region south to the Atlas Mountains, between Essaouira and Agadir, is home to the best surf spots in the country. This is point break heaven, with plenty of uncrowded waves to hit! From Safi to the north and all the way to Agadir in the south, here are the best surf spots Morocco has to offer:
Surfing in Central Morocco
In Central Morocco, water sports are concentrated around Essaouira, which is famous for its strong winds. Kitesurfing and windsurfing are the main attractions in the area, but you’ll also find world-class surf spots that can easily rival the planet’s most renowned breaks.
Safi Beach
Best for: experienced surfers
North of Essaouira, the industrial and port city of Safi is home to a tricky right hander that breaks over a sand and rock bottom. With hollow waves and rad barrels, powerful and curly, this break is often compared to South Africa’s J-Bay. Unfortunately, it is very fickle and only works during big swells at low tide. And, on those rare and precious days when it does work, you can expect a busy line-up.
Essaouira Beach
Best for: beginners
Just outside of town, protected by the Mogador Island, the Essaouira Bay is home to a reliable A-frame beach break that works on various swell sizes between July and February, the ideal place for a relaxing surf sesh.
Perhaps the best beginner surf spot in the country, Essaouira Beach offers various swell sizes for beginners taking their first steps on the surfboard and for intermediate surfers too. Thanks to its soft sandy bottom, it is an ideal place to learn the basics and brush up on your skills.
Sidi Kaouki
Best for: all levels
A long sandy beach 18 miles (30 km) south of Essaouira awaits surfers of all levels on a variety waves that work best at high tide and low wind. The sleepy fishing village of Sidi Kaouki is home to an open A-frame beach break that is great for beginners throughout the year, but also for intermediate and more experienced surfers between July and January.
Cathedral Point, Imsouane
Best for: all surfers
Imsouane is blessed with some of the longest waves in Africa. Its legendary Cathedral Point is a right hand beach break with a sandy and rocky bottom. On a good day, it can offer rides up to 1,000 ft (300 m). It is fast and fun, and a great place to get barreled for the first time.
The Bay, Imsouane
Best for: beginners and longboarders
Just outside the sleepy fishing village of Imsouane, The Bay is a long right hander that can offer rides up to 2,000 ft (600 m) long, which makes it one of the longest wave in Africa. A heaven for beginner surfers and longboarders, this break fires up between August and March.
Tamri
Best for: all levels
South of Imsouane and 19 miles (30 km) north of Taghazout, Tamri is one of the most reliable breaks on the Moroccan coastline. When everything else goes flat, you can still count on this one to work. It is fun on all tides and offers wonderful views to an estuary with camels and banana plantations. Unfortunately, consistency also means that this A-frame reef break can get pretty busy, especially during summer months.
Boilers, Tiguert
Best for: experienced surfers
Wondering where this break got its name? A shipwreck is to blame for this, as you can see the boiler of a ship at the start of the wave. Boilers is, without any doubt, one of the most spectacular breaks in Morocco. Photographers love it, and so do experienced surfers.
Tricky and fast, strong and hollow, with a treacherous urchin-covered reef and rocky bottom, this is not for the faint-hearted. But, if you’re looking for an adrenaline rush, this is the place to be!
One of the most exciting waves near Taghazout, Boilers is a right hand reef break with consistent head-high waves offering rides of up to 1,300 ft (400 m) long.
Dracula’s, Tiguert
Best for: experienced surfers
Located between Taghazout and Tamri, as soon as you reach this spot, it will be easy to see where the place earned its name. The sharp rocks like the teeth of a vampire rising from the beach near the lighthouse shelter a large and demanding break that will test the wits of even the most experienced of surfers.
When big northerly swells kick in, Dracula’s has the potential of becoming one of the best point breaks on the entire Moroccan coastline. Affectionately called “Boiler’s evil twin,” this right hand point break offers long rides and barreling sections, with a tricky paddle in and out. As an added bonus, crowds are hardly ever an issue here.
Desert Point, Tiguert
Best for: beginners to intermediate surfers
It is often said that Desert Point has the potential to be the best wave in the entire country. Unfortunately, it is also renowned for…err… its inconsistency.
Add to that the strong treacherous currents and you have a relatively empty wave. When it does fire up, it puts on quite a show on a seemingly endless right hander that can hold up to 1,600 ft (500 m) and breaks at low tide.
Surfing near Taghazout
Taghazout and its neighboring town of Tamraght are dotted with surf shops, cafes, and restaurants serving finger-licking’ Moroccan cuisine. With a booming surf culture, Taghazout and its perfect right-hand peelers is a legendary surfing destination, only 12 miles (19 km) north of Agadir.
South of Taghazout, Tamraght is renowned for its large banana plantations and…its surfing.
Agadir is Morocco’s premier beach destination, with excellent breaks that offer some spectacular long rides, often packed with surfers. Further south, the waves are simply empty and yet with a great unexplored potential. And if you’re a fan of the pristine, there’s a good chance that you will find waves that have barely been touched before.
Killer Point, Taghazout
Best for: all surfers
One of the best point breaks in Morocco and the most consistent wave in the Taghazout area, Killer Point has it all: fast sections, bowls and barrels, you name it! Don’t let the name scare you. It’s actually called Killer Point because of the excellent waves, and there’s a room for surfers of all levels here.
During low tides and on small swells, the break offers gentle waves for beginners and intermediate surfers. When the swells pick up, the hollow wave offers some rad barreling sections. This long, powerful, and tall right hand point break can get crowded, though.
La Source, Taghazout
Best for: all surfers
Accessible and funny, the clean wave at La Source puts on its best performance between September and April. Just outside Taghazout, its name comes from the freshwater springs bubbling from the onshore rock formations, which create “The Well” (La Source). Generally consistent, with small reef sections combined with sandy ones, this A-frame break is fun for all levels of surfers.
Mysteries, Taghazout
Best for: all levels
Right next to La Source and only 320 ft (100 meters) north of Anchor Point, Mysteries is yet another world-class wave that is on any serious surfer’s bucket list. More accessible than other point breaks in the area, this right hander breaks over a sandy bottom. Unfortunately, it cannot handle very large swells and closes out at 6.5 ft (2 m). That being said, it does get hollow and offers some insane barreling sections, which make Mysteries one of the funniest and most rippable waves in the area.
Anchor Point, Taghazout
Best for: intermediate to advanced surfers
Morocco’s most notorious surf spot and the most popular in the Taghazout area, Anchor Point promises the ride of your life. It can hold waves up to 15 ft (4.5 meters) tall and offers rides up to 1,600 ft (500 meters). It is a definite must-try if you have enough experience under your belt. This clean and consistent reef break has three distinct sections, with a steep take-off and an impressively hollow and fast section at the end.
Hash Point, Taghazout
Best for: all levels
Next to Anchor Point, Hash Point is a fast point break that works best with medium to large swells. Located right in the middle of the town of Taghazout, this fast right-hander with a sandy bottom is just perfect for beginners to take their skills up a notch. Fun and easy, it can handle large swells too.
If you’re wondering where the place got its name from, it is said that the people here used to smoke too much hash and therefore had no energy left to walk all the way to Anchor Point. So, they would surf here instead. Note that while smoking hash is commonplace in Morocco, it is still illegal.
Panorama Point, Taghazout
Best for: all levels
Often overlooked but nevertheless spectacular, Panoramas is a less crowded surf spot that offers gorgeous barrels. An A-frame beach break with a sandy bottom next to Taghazout, long and sheltered, it is excellent for beginners even at high tide, all thanks to its sheltered location. However, Panoramas can get quite strong and fast when big swells kick in, becoming an excellent playground for intermediate to advanced surfers too.
Banana Beach, Tamraght
Best for: all levels
Located near the village of Aourir, this surf spot got its name from the banana plantations overlooking the bay. Here, Banana Point is a long right hander that is excellent for all levels and that hardly ever gets crowded. It offers some really long rides and is one of the best spots in the area for longboarders. The break has several sections, some of which are great for beginners and surf schools, while others are more suitable for experienced riders.
Devil’s Rock, Tamraght
Best for: beginners
Next to Banana Beach, Devil’s Rock is an excellent spot for surf schools thanks to its variety of waves – lefts and rights on both low and high tide. Plus, it can hold waves up to 5 ft (1.5 m).
Despite its name, all levels of surfers are welcome on this beach break. Due to its proximity to Aourir, there are always families chilling on the beach and surfers brushing up on their skills. However, the line-up never gets too crowded.
Wax your surfboard and hit some of the planet’s most spectacular and uncrowded waves on a surf camp in Africa!