The Agadir surf is okay, but the city is also the gateway to the legendary spots of Taghazout further north up the Moroccan shoreline. That’s where most will go, for some of the best surf camps in the country. Winter is the time to come. Waves are for all levels.
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 very 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 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.
There have been issues with water quality, but things are improving year on year. 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 itself, where the trip will be much more about chasing waves.
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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 and Imsouane. They’re less than half an hour’s drive away!
A guide to the Agadir surf spots
Agadir surf ranges northwards from the city itself. 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. There are sometimes competitions on the wave, but the break is usually an all-level party. The waves rarely go above head height and they’re tempered into nice, rideable sets by the patchwork of reefs underfoot. 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 Agadir surf to be had northwards.
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 in the 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 problem – Anza has some pretty poor water quality thanks to the nearby port.
KM12
KM12 is a long and empty stretch of beach that has multiple peaks. 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 pushy and cushiony 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. Early sessions are better because the offshores can be annoying.
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. 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.
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. 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 who like to rip walls of 10-foot and more.
Check out our complete guide to surfing in Taghazout
Where to stay when surfing in Agadir
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? Today, there’s also a great showing of places that are 100% focussed on surf….
Blue Waves Surf House ($$)
Best for: A stylish stay with great surf tuition as optional
Blue Waves Surf House oozes a vintage Berber charm. It’s perched on the headland just north of the city. That means you can surf on the beach of Anza whenever you like, and it’s easy to escape to Banana Beach or Tamraght to boot. That’s if you can pull yourself away from the breezy terrace and it’s Moroccan cushions, and the lovely interiors – all whitewashed and dotted with earthy artworks. There’s also an on-site surf shop and the breakfasts are exactly what you need for gearing up for a day on the waves. Love it!
Pearl Surf Camp Morocco ($-$$)
Best for: Budget surf trips to Agadir
Pearl Surf Camp Morocco is a highly rated hostel-style stay that’s located really close to Cro Cro break (a beginner fav) near Tamraght. It’s done out like a Moroccan kasbah, with terracotta colors and a rooftop garden overlooking the Atlas foothills. More than anything it’s about the vibe. You’ll surf with and meet all sorts of other people!
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 to book your lessons and surf rental 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:
- 8 Day Surf and Yoga Holiday at Surf Coast Morocco – Surf Coast Morocco is a bit of a Taghazout legend. Okay, so you won’t be staying in Agadir proper, but the 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 Taghazout. The pad has fantastic views of the sea and a lovely yoga space. It’s a bit better for more advanced surfers overall.
Check out our complete guide to all the best surf camps in Morocco for 2023.
Step-by-step guide to planning your Agadir surf trip right now
Step one: Book flights to the Agadir surf…Lately, we like Omio for searching flights. It’s a nice interface and has lots of airline options. We also use Skyscanner because that sometimes offers deals that even beat going direct to the carrier!
Step two: Book your surf camp Book Surf Camps is the numero uno online booking platform for fully-fledged surf-stay packages on the internet right now. Then there’s Booking.com. That has consistently unbeatable rates for hotels and a nifty map feature that lets you check EXACTLY how close your hotel is to a surf break.
Step three: Get insuranceThis is kinda’ important. Not just for surf trips but for any trips. SafetyWing is great for nomad travelers. They offer rolling contracts that cover amateur surfing.
Step four (optional): Rent a car If you’re surf camping then you might not need wheels. If you’re not then we’ll just say this: We’ve never been on a surf trip that wasn’t improved by having our own car. Use RentalCars – they’re the best.
Step five: Enjoy!
For paying for stuff when you’re traveling – Get a Wise borderless card/account. They charge NOTHING for POS payments in any country and have some of the best FX rates around in our humble opinion.
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)
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.
Wear: A thin 2mm wetty will do the trick
Winter (November-April)
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).
Wear: A 3/2 for longer sessions. Bring a surf hat if you’re staying out for a while too!
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.
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!
