Surfing in Morocco
1 spot in Morocco with surfing schools, with the best months per spot.
Surfing in Morocco at a glance
Surfing in Morocco is best on the Atlantic coast between Agadir and Essaouira from October to March, when North Atlantic swell switches on the right-hand points around Taghazout and the long rides at Imsouane. Beginners do well at Imsouane's Bay, the gentler beaches around Taghazout and in Dakhla with a school; advanced surfers head for Anchor Point or Oum Lbouer at Dakhla. Summer is smaller, which suits learners and longboards, but the wind is stronger. Water stays between about 16 and 22°C all year.
Morocco's Atlantic coast has three very different bases for wind and wave sports. Essaouira and Sidi Kaouki in the centre have a summer trade wind, an open bay and a walled old town. Agadir is the resort city and airport hub further south, with the surf coast of Taghazout and Imsouane between it and Essaouira. Dakhla in the far south has a lagoon with wind in every month and sits in Western Sahara, a disputed territory administered by Morocco.
- Peak swell runs from about December to March, with autumn and spring quieter and less crowded
- Anchor Point near Taghazout is one of Morocco's long right-hand point breaks
- Imsouane has La Bay for beginners and longboarders and La Cathedrale for confident surfers
- Dakhla adds Oum Lbouer, an exposed point with rocks and sharks listed as hazards, plus gentler beach breaks with lessons from a school
When is the best time for surfing in Morocco?
The southern coast around Agadir, Taghazout and Imsouane is the winter heartland, with September and April as shoulder months. Essaouira and Sidi Kaouki are windier, so they depend on the days and hours when the wind drops. Dakhla's swell season is given as October to March by its schools, and the spots there are reached by 4x4 from the town.
| Spot | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agadir | ||||||||||||
| Essaouira | ||||||||||||
| Sidi Kaouki | ||||||||||||
| Dakhla | ||||||||||||
| Taghazout | ||||||||||||
| Tamraght | ||||||||||||
| Imsouane |
The best spots for surfing in Morocco
| Spot | Water | Level | Best months | Why go |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agadir | City base, surf to the north | Base for all levels | Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr | The regional gateway city, with the main airport for the southern coast. Taghazout is about 19 km north, where the best-known waves are; Agadir suits learners who want a city base. |
| Essaouira | Windy beach break | Improvers, wind permitting | Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar | A walled coastal town where strong trade winds dominate, so it serves windsports more reliably than surf. Surfers use the beach breaks when the wind drops. Sidi Kaouki, about 25 km south, is the nearer surf village. |
| Sidi Kaouki | Exposed beach break | – | Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar | Small village about 25 km south of Essaouira with an exposed beach break that is described as reliable and working year-round, with swell peaking in winter. It also draws wind sports. |
| Dakhla | Beach and point breaks | Beginner to expert | Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar | Far south on a desert peninsula. Oum Lbouer is an exposed point that likes north-west swell and is best in winter; hazards are rocks, localism, pollution and sharks. The school picks gentler beach breaks for learners. |
| Taghazout | Point and beach breaks | All levels, points advanced | Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr | A small fishing village about 19 km north of Agadir and a popular surfing destination. Anchor Point, about 3 km north, is the famous right-hander, and other beaches in the area suit surfers of all levels. |
| Tamraght | Beach break | Beginner | Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr | Described as Morocco's main beginner beach, with punchier beach-break waves in winter and mellow conditions in summer. A natural choice for a first lesson near Taghazout. |
| Imsouane | Point and beach breaks | Beginner to advanced | Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar | A sheltered bay between Agadir and Essaouira with long, gentle rides at La Bay for beginners and longboarders, and a faster, more powerful beach break at La Cathedrale for confident intermediates and advanced surfers. |
Which Morocco spot suits your surfing level?
Choose a school at Imsouane's Bay, Tamraght or Dakhla's beach breaks. Smaller summer waves are friendly, and in winter ask the school for the gentlest break of the day.
Imsouane and the beaches near Taghazout give steady waves with room to progress in autumn and spring.
Anchor Point near Taghazout and Oum Lbouer at Dakhla need winter swell; both involve rocks, and Oum Lbouer also lists localism and sharks.
Waves are smaller and the wind is stronger on the exposed coast, so plan around a longboard or lesson rather than powerful surf.
Getting to Morocco and between the spots
Getting to Morocco
Most visitors to the central coast fly into Marrakech, Agadir or Essaouira, and those heading to Dakhla usually connect through Casablanca. IKSURFMAG lists easyJet flights from London to Essaouira, and the Dakhla airport is served by Royal Air Maroc, so check current schedules for your dates.
Airports
Essaouira-Mogador Airport (ESU): for morocco/essaouira, morocco/sidi-kaouki. About 15 minutes by car from Essaouira. Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK): for morocco/essaouira, morocco/sidi-kaouki. About 2 hours by road to Essaouira. Agadir Al Massira Airport (AGA): for morocco/agadir, morocco/essaouira, morocco/sidi-kaouki. About 23 km from Agadir city and about 3 hours by road to Essaouira. Dakhla Airport (VIL): for morocco/dakhla. Camps on the lagoon start about 5 km and 15 minutes away.
Between the spots
Sidi Kaouki is about 30 km south of Essaouira, a 30 to 60 minute drive or taxi according to Kiteforum, and Agadir lies about 175 km south of Essaouira. Dakhla is a separate trip: it sits on a peninsula far to the south and is normally reached by plane, so plan it as its own leg rather than a road trip. Surfis Camp reports that the Dakhla lagoon and West Point can be reached by ordinary car, while Speed Spot and Dune Blanche need a 4x4, and it charges 20 euros for a private transfer from the airport.
Entry and visa
Citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, European Union, Canada and Australia can visit without a visa for up to 90 days, according to Wikipedia's summary of Moroccan visa policy. UK government advice asks for a passport valid at least 3 months after arrival, and other countries may set different rules. Morocco is also planning an electronic travel authorisation for visa-exempt nationals, so check the official Moroccan consular portal and your airline for your nationality before you book.
Money and costs
The currency is the Moroccan dirham (MAD). It is not freely convertible, so it is hard to exchange outside Morocco, and 100,000 MAD or more in foreign currency must be declared on entry or exit, according to UK government advice. Lesson prices vary by school and sport, and some schools price in euros; Dakhla camps quote their own packages, so ask what gear, lessons and transfers are included.
Climate and water
The coast is mild all year. Agadir has average daily highs from about 21 degrees Celsius in January to 27 degrees in August. Essaouira water is around 17 to 20 degrees according to IKSURFMAG, and Kiteforum gives about 20 degrees at Sidi Kaouki in summer, so a wetsuit is useful even in summer because of wind chill. Dakhla has a mild desert climate with a January mean of about 18 degrees and a September mean of about 23 degrees, and almost no rain.
Safety
Beaches often have few or no lifeguards and little signage, and currents can be strong, so ride with a school or local advice. UK advice also warns of petty theft on beaches and in medinas, frequent road accidents and unlicensed taxis. Dakhla lies in Western Sahara, a disputed territory administered by Morocco, and the UK embassy in Rabat handles consular help there. Take insurance that covers the water sport you book.
Surfing in Morocco: your questions
When is the best time to surf in Morocco?
The best time to surf in Morocco is October to March, when North Atlantic swell reaches the coast. Autumn gives manageable waves, December to March is the peak, and September and April are quieter shoulder months with fewer people. Summer is smaller and windier, though still workable for beginners and longboarders.
Where should beginners surf in Morocco?
Beginners do best at Imsouane's Bay, at Tamraght near Taghazout, and in Dakhla with a school using beach breaks. Imsouane's Bay is a long point break described as suited to beginners and longboarders, working best at low to mid tide. Smaller summer waves are also friendlier for a first lesson.
Which Moroccan surf spot is best for advanced surfers?
Advanced surfers usually go to Anchor Point near Taghazout, a long right-hand point break, or to Oum Lbouer at Dakhla, which likes north-west swell. Oum Lbouer lists rocks, localism, pollution and sharks as hazards. La Cathedrale at Imsouane is faster and more powerful than the bay.
What wetsuit do I need to surf in Morocco?
Surf-Forecast advises a 2mm long-sleeve shorty, or a 3/2mm suit if it is windy, in the warmest period around September. In the coldest period, late February near Agadir and early March near Essaouira, it advises a 4/3mm suit or a 3/2mm with 3mm boots. Water ranges about 16 to 22°C.
Can you surf in Morocco in summer?
Yes, but expect smaller, less consistent waves, mostly wind swell, and strong wind on the exposed coast. Taghazout's points are at their weakest then, while Imsouane gives mellow rollers and Tamraght stays gentle. Summer suits beginners, improvers and longboarders rather than anyone chasing powerful point-break surf.
Which airport should I fly into for a surf trip to Morocco?
Fly into Agadir (AGA) for Taghazout, Tamraght, Imsouane and the southern coast. Essaouira has its own small airport about 7 to 8 km from town, which suits Essaouira and Sidi Kaouki. Dakhla has an airport served by Royal Air Maroc and is a separate trip from the Agadir to Essaouira coast.
How much do surf lessons cost in Dakhla?
KiteResorts Dakhla lists group surf lessons from 30 euros for two hours, semi-private from 60 euros and private from 90 euros. The page states that each package includes the full surf equipment and 4x4 transfers to the spot chosen for the day. Extra hours are priced separately, from 25 to 35 euros.
Sources for this guide: Surf-Forecast: Morocco surf breaks by region, The Surf Atlas: Morocco surf season month by month, Perfect Wave Travel: Morocco surf guide, Wikipedia: Taghazout, Wikipedia: Imsouane, Wikipedia: Sidi Kaouki, Surf-Forecast: Oumlabouir, Surf-Forecast: Agadir water temperature, KiteResorts Dakhla: surf lessons, Surf-Forecast: Essaouira water temperature, UK government travel advice: Morocco entry requirements, UK government travel advice: Morocco safety and security, UK government travel advice: Morocco regional risks, Wikipedia: Visa policy of Morocco, Wikipedia: Moroccan dirham, Wikipedia: Agadir, Wikipedia: Dakhla · Last checked October 2026.