Surfing in Morocco

Morocco is Located in the far west of north Africa, with the Atlantic Ocean to the west. It is famous for its consistent, long waves and right-hand point breaks. In the right conditions you can score leg-cramping, half-kilometer rides.
It is an exotic and mesmerizing country, full of fun little towns, wildly spiced meals and sunny beaches where you can surf to your heart’s content.
Surfing is the most popular board sport in Morocco, but windsurfing and kitesurfing are gaining popularity too. The country holds various competitions like the World Surf League Pro Casablanca, the Global KiteSports Association Dakhla 2018, and the PWA Windsurf World Cup Essaouira.
There’s a great choice of surf camps, hotels and resorts, so whether you are a pro or just starting out, Morocco is great surfing destination.

Anything remarkable in the geography of this country (Relevant to surf)?
- (ocean, currents, winds, climate, mountain, type of coast, rivers (impact of river mouth) and surfable rivers (tidal waves)?)
When did Surfing start in this place? What’s the (short) story of surfing and board sports here?
Famous personalities in surf / surf history in this {country}?
Anecdotes (if any) regarding surf / board sports in this country?
Popular board activities here (surf, longboard, Kite, Wind ?)
Main Surf Areas & why they are unique? (short Summary)
Most Remarkable surf spot(s) of {the country}
Remarkable Competitions in {Country}?
Who should surf there? (budget surfers, luxury surfers, beginners, advanced, pros, people from certain countries or languages, religions… etc.) and Why ?

Climate in Morocco

Morocco’s coasts have remarkably moderate temperatures. Water temps range from 16 to 23°c winter through summer, ideal for a surf vacation. Inland Morocco gets hotter, especially in the scorching Sahara, but you can also get snow up in the mountain regions, such as the Atlas Mountains.

How’s the weather, usually?
What are the types of climates (arid or semiarid, Mediterranean, Tropical etc.) I will encounter?
Does it vary / change a lot? (over time / day by day / per areas and sub areas?)
How does that affect the Waves and Surfing conditions?

Best surf spots in Morocco

The best surf areas in Morocco are in the south, and the main surf zones are Essaouira, Taghazout, Imsouane, and Agadir.

Essaouira is a beautiful town and a great place to surf. Plus, it's on the UNESCO World Heritage list. The best time to surf here is early in the morning, when the winds haven’t picked up as strongly as in the afternoon. If you are a kitesurfer, the afternoons are great. Some of the best surfing spots around are in Safi, Essaouira Bay (good for beginners), Sidi Kaouki, and Boilers (a powerful right-hander with an iconic ship boiler sticking out of the water).

The city of Agadir boasts many wonderful areas where good surf is available, but every spot is a short drive away. This part of the Moroccan coastline is known for its mild winter conditions, so it's a popular european winter surf destination.

Taghazout has a high concentration of quality waves plus a very culturally rich fishing village that is famous for its beaches and picturesque main streets, filled with little cafes and shops. There’s a relaxed and laid-back ambiance, and many surf spots are relatively easy to access. Some of the best surf spots around are Killer Point (the most consistent point break in the area, and also one of Morocco’s best waves), La Source, and Anchor Point (a right-hand point break with perfect tubing sections in good conditions.

Imsouane has some of the longest waves on the continent. Its legendary Cathedral Point is a right-hander that, on a good day, can offer rides up to 300m or more. This is a great place to experience barreling waves when the conditions are good to epic.
The Bay is quite a popular spot too, so expect busy lineups. The break starts at the harbor and ends at the hills, and in good conditions lasts up to 600m. The wave has soft sand banks that make it great for beginners too. The surf here is best at low tide.

Main Surfing Areas in Morocco

Surf in Essaouira

Essaouira is a beautiful town and a great place to surf. Plus, it's on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

The best time to surf here is early in the morning, when the swells are consistent and the winds haven’t picked up as strongly as in the afternoon. If you are into wind and kitesurfing, the afternoons are great.

Some of the best surfing spots around are in Safi, Essaouira Bay (good for beginners), Sidi Kaouki, and Boilers (a powerful right-hander with an iconic ship boiler sticking out of the water).

Surfing in Agadir

The city of Agadir boasts many wonderful areas where surf is readily available, although not in the same city, every spot is a short drive away. This part of the Moroccan coastline is famous for its mild winter conditions, so it's a popular european winter surf destination. This prefecture’s most famous areas are the various known spots to the south of Agadir like Taghazout and Imsouane.

Check Surf Accommodations and Surf camps in the Agadir area now

Surfing in Taghazout

This area has a high concentration of quality waves plus Taghazout, a culturally rich fishing village, is famous for its beaches and picturesque main streets, filled with little cafes and shops. There’s a relaxed and laid-back ambiance, and many surf spots nearby, all accessed relatively easy.

Some of the best surf spots around are Killer Point (the most consistent point break in the area, and also one of Morocco’s best waves), La Source, and Anchor Point (a right-hand point break with perfect tubing sections in good conditions.

See Surf Camps or Accommodations in Taghazout now

Surfing in Imsouane

Imsouane is an area blessed with some of the longest waves on the continent. Its legendary Cathedral Point is a right-hander that, on a good day, can offer rides up to 300 meters and more. This is a great place to experience barreling waves when the conditions are good.

The Bay is quite a popular spot too, so you can expect some busy lineups. The break starts at the harbor and ends at the hills, and on good conditions lasts up to 600 meters. The wave has soft sand banks that make it great for beginners too. The surf here is best at low tide.

Learn more about the Imsouane area and its fantastic Surf Camps here

What Is Your Traveling Style?

Luxury Surfing in Morocco

If you want a more refined, all-inclusive, complete experience, resorts, houses and surf camps are a great choice, with prices ranging from 50-120€.

Enjoy beautiful, traditional, berber-inspired accommodations with rooms based off a central courtyard surrounding a pool and a lush central garden. Amazing roof terraces overlook the beach, perfect to watch the sunsets and enjoy with your friends.

Options include full or shared apartments, en-suite rooms with daily servicing and all the modern amenities.

Packages include daily meals (breakfast, dinner, and packed lunches), daily surf lessons with qualified surf teachers (plus afternoon supervised sessions), surf gear, different boards and wetsuits, transfers to/from airport or bus station, and even free surf photography to share your experience with the world.

Budget Surfing in Morocco

If you are on a budget, you can still travel and have an amazing experience in a unique, exotic location. There are a fair number of cheap, super fun surf Camps in Morocco to cover all your needs, and you’ll meet people from all over the world while enjoying a laid-back atmosphere and surfing all day long.

You can share a room with other surfers or friends, or rent one for yourself. You’ll most likely have common areas to chill and get to know your fellow surfers, plus private or shared bathrooms and some meals. Surf gear like boards and wetsuits might be included or offered at a good price. A few hours of surf lessons may also be included, plus there’s always the option to hire more.

Prices range from 7 to 25€.

Check out the best budget surf camps in Morocco here.

Budget Planning

Meal price range

Cheap street meals cost around $3 USD. Midrange meals in restaurants range from $10-13 USD. Dining at high-end restaurants cost anywhere from $16-55 USD.

Equipment rental

Board rentals run anywhere from $10-20 USD for the day and $50-100 USD for the month. Daily wetsuit rental is $5-12 USD or $30-50 USD for the month.

Prepaid SIM cards

The main operators in Morocco are Maroc Telecom, Orange and Inwi. You can buy a SIM card at the airport by showing your passport. Your telephone number will be active upon purchase.
Data packages range from $1 USD for 1GB over 3 days to 10GB for 1 month at $10 USD.

Public transport

Local bus fare is about $0.50 USD one way. You can also take trains or coach buses between major destinations for $8-30 USD.

Motorbike/scooter rentals from $35 USD a day.

You can rent a car from $15-50 USD a day or $119 USD for a week. There are many internationally known car rental companies to choose from.

Gas prices

$1.15 USD a liter.

Types of risks

The only real issue while you are surfing in Morocco is petty theft. Just be aware of your belongings, don’t put your wallet/phone in the back pockets of your pants and keep your purse or backpack closed.

Morocco is prone to seismic movements in the north and floods around coastal areas during the rainy season. Extreme heat waves can occur in the summer, especially in the desert, which can reach 40-45°c.

How to prepare

Visa

Nationals from 67 countries can enter Morocco visa-free for up to 90 days. Your passport needs to be valid for at least 6 months at time of entry and you’ll need proof of onward or return flights.

Vaccines

No vaccines are mandatory to enter Morocco. You might opt to get routine vaccines such as hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, rabies, polio, tetanus, tuberculosis measles, mumps and rubella.

Things to know

Language & Currency

Arabic and French are the main languages. English is increasingly spoken by young people, especially in tourist areas.

The currency is Moroccan Dírham.

Best time to go

The best time to visit Morocco is during spring (mid-March to May) or autumn (September to October). The weather is warm but pleasant, unlike the cold temperatures and snow of winter, or the scorching heat of summer. The coastal regions can be visited year-round.

Checking Surf forecast
Checking the forecast about a week before your trip is always a good idea. Understanding what the waves will be like and knowing what gear to pack is essential. You can check the forecast for the waves here.

Do I need pack a pharmacy kit
You should bring a basic kit. Including ear drops, eye drops, bandaids, imodium, ear plugs to avoid ear infections, paracetamol, gaze, alcohol and broad spectrum antibiotic ointment.

Travel/Surf Insurance

World Nomads has great travel insurance packages that are not super expensive and they cover surfing.

Emergency

Dial 112

Hashtag

Check surf pictures of Morocco at #surfingmorocco.