The Ultimate Guide to Agadir Surf
Agadir surf is okay, but the city is also the gateway to the legendary spots of Tamraght and Taghazout further north up the Moroccan shoreline, plus more hidden surf beaches and points to the south. That’s where most will go, for some of the best surf camps and most consistent waves in the country. Winter is the time to come. It’s all level stuff and pretty awesome truth be told.
An introduction to Agadir surf
We’re just going to go right ahead and say it: The Agadir surf ain’t anything special.
Yes, there’s an okay-ish beach break right by the town, along with a few right points off the nearby harbor walls. Sadly, they’re not ultra good quality, suffer from serious industrial pollution, and often require really strong NW swells to offer anything worthwhile.
Agadir itself is mainly a tourist resort with that ubiquitous kasbah and plenty of hotel resorts – the vibe ain’t one of a surfer’s city but it’s nice and all for a day or two’s exploration.
But there’s an ace up the sleeve in Agadir. It goes by the name of Taghazout. You’ve probably heard of it; it’s Morocco’s bona fide surf mecca, after all.
A quick 30-minute drive to north of the city will get you there. Then, you can hit some seriously awesome surf breaks, like the almost-always-offshore Boilers and the steaming rights of Killer Point.
The decision you’ll have to make it whether to stay in Agadir for the lux hotels and do some surfing on daytrips, or to commit to Taghazout and the region there, where the trip will be much more about chasing waves every single damn day.
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
This guide is just one part of our complete guide to surfing in Morocco
Agadir surf at a glance
The good…
The bad…
What’s in this guide to Agadir surf?
Where is Agadir?
Agadir is the last major port town on the Moroccan coast before the wild deserts take over the land moves southwards to the contested territory of the Western Sahara.
The far end of the Atlas Mountains crashes down from the highlands of Morocco to meet the Atlantic Ocena here. They provide a pretty nice backdrop.
However, surfers will undoubtedly be looking north, which is where the finest waves in the country await, along by Taghazout, Tamraght and Imsouane. They’re all less than half an hour’s drive away!
How to get to Agadir?
There’s some great news here: Agadir has its own airport. Yep, the Agadir–Al Massira Airport is actually now one of the major hubs of Morocco. It’s the gateway to all the beach resorts – and the surf towns – on the Moroccan Atlantic and it’s got stacks of links to UK, Irish, and EU cities, plenty of which are run by bargain low-cost airlines.
Try using Kiwi to search flights – they have a unique algo that links together all airlines to get the best deal, not just the ones that use codeshares. It can turn up some great bargains.
If you’re planning a bit more of a full-on trip through Morocco then you could fly to Marrakesh and travel down from there. The major A3 (N11) highway links Agadir to that amazing city. It’s one of the best roads in the country, with travel times in the region of just three hours. There are regular buses (the cheap option) but also affordable private transfers for around the $80 mark.
Now, if you’re serious about surfing every day of your trip then, as we’ve already mentioned, it’s worth making the switch from Agadir to either Tagahazout or Tamraght once you arrive. The best way to do that is with a private transfer, which will cost no more than $30-ish for a full minivan (drivers are usually happy to take board but check ahead) if you pre-book with Agadir Happy Tours, who we recommend.
Agadir surf spots
Agadir surf ranges northwards from the city itself.
Here, we’ll start in the town and move towards Taghazout so you can see what’s in the offing up the whole length of the coastline.
There are also a few lesser-known, less-busy spots to the south of town that might be worth having on the radar…
Cherry
Cherry Beach is the name of he and that fronts Inezgane, a sort of suburban extension of Agadir to the south but technically its own town.
The waves rarely go above head height and they’re tempered into nice, rideable sets by the patchwork of reefs that sit on either side of the bay. It’s a regular spot for beginners who want to plan surf trips without leaving Agadir, or not wanting to deal with the ever-growing lineups in Taghazout.
Agadir Beach
The big plage to the south of Agadir is a little bit of a undeserving mention here. You need a lot of swell to push up this far into the bay and even when it arrives there’s really no moxie left.
The best days are chest-high sets which love to crumble. Okay for beginners but don’t rely on this one. There’s far better surf to be had northwards and there are surf operators in town who will drive you from your hotel door to some of the best waves in the region so there’s really no excuse for sticking to the main beach.
Anza
Anza is the first real quality break you’ll encounter north of Agadir. It’s not far from the city at all, and only 10 minutes drive from Taghazout – expect some spillover from the surf camps there.
It’s a mix of beach and reef break that picks up lots of westerly swell and works quite often, even, occassionaly, in the windy summer months.
Out back, intermediates can enjoy a fast right that lips over the rocks and falls away into a mellow ride that’s got space for a few switchbacks. The beachfront also has a break, which is peaky and perfect for total beginners.
Pollution is the historic problem – Anza has some pretty poor water quality thanks to the nearby port. That said, things seem to have improved here in recent years, and the water is looking better than it has done.
Anza is the first place we’d consider basing ourselves if you want to surf each morning but have the buzz and culture of Agadir only a short (really short) taxi away. There are some nice hotels right on the beachfront and the waves are cracking for beginners.
Where to stay? Blue Waves Surf House is our fav here, but Dinosaur Anza Surf House is also nice. The latter is part hostel, part hotel, oozes traditional Moroccan styles and boasts a fine rooftop terrace. The former is more stylish and right on the beach.
KM12
KM12 is a long and empty stretch of beach that has multiple peaks, stringing along the shoreline right in front of the town of Awrir.
They only really work on the push or at full high, so time your trip right. The reward is a mix of lefts and rights that will be punchy and kinda fat most days.
Winter months can offer heavier swells that make A-frames and steeper waves but it’s a beginner and intermediate spot at heart because it’s rarely pitching or hollow. Early sessions are better because the offshores that whip up in the afternoon can be annoying.
Again, you could choose to stay here. The local village – Awrir/Aourir – is now being touted as an upcoming alternative to Tamraght and Taghazout. It’s got some nice surf houses…
Where to stay? Tayyurt Surf Camp Tamraght Aourir is clean, modern, spacious, and offers veggie breakfasts, plus an on-site surf school.
Tamraght
Tamraght has established itself as a decent alternative to Taghazout for those a little peeved by the over development of the latter. We have to say, we like that it’s dodged the pretentiousness that inevitably comes with the arrival of all those surf-yoga camps.
It’s still a pretty chilled Moroccan village filled with fishermen and tagine cooks. Plus, the breaks are much better for beginner surfers here than further north.
Places like Cro Cro and Banana Beach are the stomping ground of most Agadir surf camps, so expect this one to be on the menu if you do an organized surf tour from the city.
Of course, there are LOADS of places to stay, including some of the finest beginner surf camps in the whole of Africa – no joke!
Where to stay? Wave Gypsy Surf & Yoga – we rate this as the best surf camp in the country for this year. Let Taoufiq & Franky take you on five days of yoga and surf on the fantastic beaches of Tamraght.
We have a complete guide to surfing in Tamraght
Taghazout
We won’t go into all the awesome breaks up in Taghazout here. There’s just not enough room.
Thankfully, we’ve got a dedicated guide to the town and a separate guide to all the amazing surf camps there (spoiler: There are tonnes!).
Suffice to say it’s the surf mecca of Morocco, and the leading surf destination on the continent outside of South Africa.
The breaks are varied, offering mushy plage rollers for beginners and some super nice right-handers off the points for intermediates and pros who like to rip walls of 10-foot and more from bottom to lip and back again 50 times over.
Where to stay? Dfrost Almugar Taghazout Villa – Surf & Yoga is the bee’s knees. It’s INCREDIBLE. A luxury stay with a view over Taghazout’s main beach, it’s style and surf in one.
Check out our complete guide to surfing in Taghazout
Best hotels in Agadir (for surfers)
One of the great things about Agadir is just how many hotels there are. This city was a beach resort long before it was the gateway to one of the most celebrated stretch of learner surf beaches in North Africa, you know?
You do have a choice to make, though. You can A) stay in the city and enjoy the buzz, the history, the sights, the urban beach and overload of eating places or B) stay on one of the beaches further north to surf every morning and travel maybe 10-20 minutes into Agadir when you want to have your culture.
We’ve listed options for both below…
Blue Waves Surf House
Best for: A stylish stay with great surf tuition as optional
Blue Waves Surf House oozes a vintage Berber charm. It’s perched on the headland just north of the city. That means you can surf on the beach of Anza whenever you like, and it’s easy to escape to Banana Beach or Tamraght to boot.
That’s if you can pull yourself away from the breezy terrace and it’s Moroccan cushions, and the lovely interiors – all whitewashed and dotted with earthy artworks.
There’s also an on-site surf shop and the breakfasts are exactly what you need for gearing up for a day on the waves. Love it!
Dinosaur Anza Surf House
Best for: Budget surf trips right on the doorstep of Agadir
Dinosaur Anza Surf House, like Blue Waves, sits just behind Anza Beach, the closest decent surf spot you get to Agadir. It’s the budget option here, but rooms have an enchanting touch of old-school Moroccan style, there’s a great rooftop terrace, and they serve hearty breakfasts.
The Surf Hotel Tamraght
Best for: Couples that want to learn to surf together
The Surf Hotel Tamraght is a charming establishment tucked into the heart of an authentic Moroccan village. It’s close to some of the area’s very best beginner breaks, so you can come here if you’re looking to learn. There’s a touch of luxury about it, which comes through in the hotel-style rooms and the gorgeous rooftop terrace overlooking the Atlantic.
Surf camps in Agadir
If you’d prefer not to have the hassle of booking your own transfers to the beaches, lessons and surf rentals when you arrive in Agadir, the best thing to do is to plump for a surf camp.
The chances are they will be on the beaches of Tamraght or Taghazout to the north of the city, which is where most of the surfing happens anyway.
Let’s take a look at some that we think are worth a special mention:
- The Surf Hotel Morocco (8-Day Surf/Yoga Camp) – There’s probably not a surf-camp package in Morocco that can match this exceptional offering for intermediate and advanced surfers. It’s more of a guide-based thing, so you’ll taken to multiple spots around Agadir (mainly to the north) and surf some of Morocco’s best breaks. Yoga and accommodation in a pretty nice hotel in Tamraght is also included in the price.
- Surf Coast Morocco (8-Day Surf and Yoga Holiday at) – Surf Coast Morocco is a bit of a Taghazout legend. Okay, so you won’t be staying in Agadir proper, but some of the region’s most iconic waves are literally two steps from your door. You’ll do between 2-3 hours of surf per day and get daily yoga seshes with qualified teachers. The food is cracking. Accommodation is lovely. What more do you need?
- Easy Surf Maroc (6-Day Package for All Levels) – This package also takes you up to Tamraght village – it’s about 20 minutes north of Agadir. The pad has fantastic views of the sea and a lovely yoga space. In fact, it’s the yoga that really sells it – we rank it as one of the best yoga-surf retreats on offer anywhere right now!
Want more inspiration or info on surf camps across the whole country? Check out our complete guide to all the best surf camps in Morocco, which we update eavery single year to showcase what’s hot and what’s not. We also have a dedicated guide to the top surf camps in Taghazout, since there are so many there!
When to surf in Agadir?
The best time to surf in Agadir, and this goes for pretty much the whole of the western Moroccan coast, is in the wintertime. When November sets in, you’re looking at regular W-SW swells with offshore winds for much of the day. Periods also increase, so there’s lovely power in the points up by Taghazout. Summer suffers from really bad onshores and cross-shores, but it’s okay for beginners on the hunt for some crumbly whitewash.
Summer (May-August)
Wear: A thin 2mm wetty will do the trick. Sunscreen is a must.
The summer months on the Moroccan Atlantic aren’t ideal for surfing. The problem isn’t really the swell – the west channels on the Atlantic always work and nearby Canaries are getting good conditions. It’s mainly the wind, which blows the hell outta’ the breaks on this exposed stretch. Essouaria, which isn’t too far away, magnetizes kite surfers, for examples. When it comes to the Agadir surf, it’s best for beginners from May-August.
Winter (November-April)
Wear: A 3/2 for longer sessions. Bring a surf hat if you’re staying out for a while too!
Consistent west swells dovetail with the offshore easterly winds from the Sahara to cook up a perfect surf storm on the Agadir coast. This is it, folks – the prime time to head to places like Taghazout and Tamraght. On the whole, we’d say it’s fantastic for all intermediates and up, but there’s also lots for beginners if you know what break to choose (see above).
Surf shops in Agadir
Agadir has a nice clutch of surf shops, mainly catering to the influx o travelers who come here as a steppingstone to the breaks of the Moroccan Atlantic. There are also more shops further up the coast in Taghazout if you forget to buy what you need. We can recommend…
Rip Curl Surf Shop
Rip Curl Surf Shop sits conveniently in the central business area of Agadir. It stocks SUP boards, paddle boards, foamies and shorties, along with plenty of boardshorts and surf swim wear. Also lots in the way of accessories – from action cams to wax and leashes and whatnot. It’s a good pitstop on your way to the breaks up north.
Rod Surf Shop
Want a new custom for your surf trip in Morocco? Support a local shaper by hitting up Rod Surf Shop. It’s a cool little cabin where the namesake owner forges some spectacular boards. Made to order and a lovely logo design with dip colors possible.
Merroqui Surf Shop
Merroqui Surf Shop is in the village of Tamraght. That means it’ll be your local if you choose to do a surf camp or stay in one of the many beginner-friendly surf hostels up that way instead of the center of Agadir. They stock a few boards, some second-hand ones (rare in Maroc), and do great ding repairs.
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
