As Morocco continues to grow in popularity as a year-round adventure destination, its diverse surf scene remains one of North Africa’s best-kept secrets. From the artistic shores of Asilah and the unique breaks of Tangier to world-renowned Taghazout and lesser-known gems such as Safi and Sidi Kaouki, Inclusive Morocco has rounded up the country’s top surf destinations for every level of surfer, proving there is far more to Moroccan surfing than meets the eye.
Asilah: where surf culture meets the medina
Asilah is one of those towns that stops you in your tracks. The whitewashed medina sits right on the Atlantic, its walls covered in murals, its streets narrow and calm. Most visitors come for the art and the history. Surfers come for the waves, and there are good ones.
The person behind much of what is happening here is Asis Tligui, founder of Antik Surf Club. What Asis has built is not just a surf school. It is a community project, giving local young people access to the sport and creating a real surf culture in the north. Antik has even teamed up with Almoda Surfboards on its own line of branded boards.
Asilah offers three main surf spots:
- Tikan — Located in front of Raisoni Castella near the old town medina
- Playa de las cuevas — Located in south of the city 15 min driving
- Sidi Mghait — Located after Playa de las cuevas, this spot is a favourite among locals and offers a great environment for a surf session followed by a relaxing afternoon by the coast.
Tangier – a geographically unique surf city
At the very tip of Morocco, where the Atlantic and the Mediterranean meet, sits a city unlike any other on the surf map. Depending on which side you paddle out from, you get two completely different experiences in the same day. On the Atlantic side, Camilos Sol and Metragaz are the spots to know. Both sit close to le Mirage Hotel, a good base for a surf stay, and they pick up solid swells that perform well through autumn and winter. On the other side of the city, Merkala comes into its own in early winter, when choppy Atlantic weather makes the west-facing beaches hard work. Merkala stays clean and calm.
Taghazout – the world-class surf capital of Morocco
Taghazout needs little introduction. This small fishing village just north of Agadir has become one of the most talked-about surf destinations in the world, and for good reason. There are more than 30 breaks in the area, covering everything from gentle beach breaks for beginners to serious point breaks that draw experienced surfers from all over.
Anchor Point is the one everyone talks about. A long, powerful right-hand point break that on a good day gives you rides of several hundred metres. It is one of those waves you have to experience at least once.
Off the water, the town has a relaxed energy and good infrastructure for surf travellers. For accommodation, Inclusive Morocco recommends the Radisson Blu Agadir and the Hilton Taghazout Bay Resort and Spa for a premium stay. Those after something more local and community-driven will feel right at home at Munga Guesthouse, a firm favourite among the surf crowd.
Morocco’s best-kept surf secrets
Ask a local surfer in Morocco about their favourite spot and they will probably not mention the places you have already read about. There are waves here that barely appear on any map, spots passed around by word of mouth for years. These are two worth knowing.
Safi – Le Jardin, the wave that was kept secret for decades
Safi is a port city between Casablanca and Agadir, not the kind of place that appears on most surf itineraries. For years, the small group of locals who had found a wave there wanted to keep it that way. They named it Le Jardin, the Garden, so they could talk about it without giving the secret away. Also known as Ras Lafaa, the wave only breaks a handful of times a year, but when it does, it is widely considered one of the best right-hand waves in the world. You need patience and a bit of luck, but that is exactly what makes it worth it.
Sidi Kaouki – wind, waves and wilderness
Sidi Kaouki sits about 27 kilometres south of Essaouira and is one of those places that still feels undiscovered. The beach stretches for several kilometres along the Atlantic, picking up consistent swells all year round with a mix of lefts and rights that work for different levels. Winter brings the biggest and most powerful waves, while summer is calmer and great for beginners. The wind blows almost constantly, making it equally popular with kite surfers and windsurfers. There are no big hotels, no crowds, just good waves, stunning sunsets and a laid-back coastal village that is well worth the detour.
