Surfing Anchor Point is a rite of passage for any expert surfer in Morocco. It’s the creme-de-la-creme of the country’s self-proclaimed surf capital in Taghazout, and a right that’s epic enough to rival all, from eastern Oz to SoCal.
An introduction to surfing in Anchor Point
When the prized swells of the season crash through to Tagahazout, Anchor Point is the place to be. This world-class break right point is as tolerant of the biggest XXL pulses as they come. It can take on 2-3 meters without issue, and harness the whole thing into some of the most rippable shoulders and sections this side of Uluwatu.
You’ll find it just along the coast to the west of Tagahazout town itself. That’s why there’s almost always a crowd in the water, even moments after sunrise and just before the sun dips behind the Atlantic horizon. Today, Anchor Point itself is probably the main draw for the performance surfers in Morocco’s number one surf town.
This guide will take a closer look at the exact nature of the break, reveal the best seasons to surf it, and offer some tips on the very best surf camps and hotels in the vicinity.
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
Anchor Point at a glance
The good…
The bad…
What’s in this guide to Anchor Point?
Where is Anchor Point?
Anchor Point is basically in Tagahazout, a former fishing village come the most popular surf break on the whole of the Moroccan Atlantic Coast. It’s not quite driveable from the tagine kitchens and hostels in the center, though – you need to drive a smidgen over a mile from Tagahazout to reach the paddle out point. More generally, Anchor Point is located in southwestern Morocco. The nearest airport is the Agadir Al-Massira International Airport, some 55 minutes’ drive to the south.
Anchor Point spot details (and nearby spots)
Anchor Point is a unique wave that turns heavy NW swells into some of Morocco’s best rights. Here’s what to expect…
Anchor Point
Anchor Point is actually a thumb of rock that pokes out from the side of Madraba Beach about a mile west of Tagahazout. It’s less than 70 meters long but it’s enough to create a point that harnesses any good NW-W swells and sends them careering into the next-door shoreline. The take-off is infamously tight here. As many as 30 surfers can be crowded into about 10 square meters right off the end of the point itself on a good day, jostling for space on a peak that’s fast and demanding, taking you into an initial steep section with just a few seconds to nail that bottom turn. Keep eyes down the line at this stage, because there are always stragglers sitting on the shoulder further along waiting to pick up any scraps that come through and they’ll snake if you don’t make it.
From there, you’re on the Anchor Point rollercoaster. It’s section after section that’s like reverse Ulus when it’s over 10 foot and more like a Lennox Head right under 8 foot. Either way, it’s a proper performance wave that offer loads of action off the lip and plenty of scope of airs higher than that Moroccan dope will get ya. It’s long, too, with big snaking turns on open pitched faces. Expect to have a crowd.1 desc
Taghazout
Taghazout is just down the road from Anchor Point. It’s now the undisputed hub of Moroccan surfing and we kinda like it, that’s even despite people crying foul of bad pollution and overcrowding. There’s no doubt that the local surf camps (of which there are LOADS) have done their best to solve infrastructure problems in recent years. Plus, the village is right in the middle of a series of epic breaks that suit all levels, from beginner-friendly Tamraght to the south to Anchor Point itself to the west.
We’ve got a complete guide to Taghazout right here
Where to stay to surf Anchor Point?
Virtually everyone who surfs Anchor Point bases themselves in the nearby surf towns of Tagahazout or Tamraght. They are both inundated with surf camps and boutique B&Bs, many of which have complimentary transfers to the point when its on. You can find many of them in our selection of the very best surf camps in Morocco for 2023. Here’s a quick glance at the ones we can recommend below:
Dar Surf
Dar Surf is one of the tried-and-tested surf camps/hostels of Tag. It’s always got good vibes and good reviews. They organize on-site surf tours that will take more experienced folk straight to Anchor Point on its best days come the winter months.
Onda Surf
Onda Surf is a down-to-earth and affordable surf camp that’s pretty lively. The crowd here is a mix of total beginners (who won’t be looking to Anchor) and expert surfers (who will). They have on-site rental equipment and offer guided surf tours to the point itself.
Step-by-step guide to planning your surfing Anchor Point trip right now
Step one: Book flights to the surfing Anchor Point…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 Anchor Point?
The best time to surf Anchor Point is in the winter. That’s the peak season for surfing in Morocco as a whole, mainly because it sees the NW swells work most regularly (the direction needed to see Anchor Point at its beefy best) and when the winds drop (crucial). The point usually gets good around November time, hits its biggest swells in January, and gradually tapers off towards May, when the summer onshores kick back in and everyone moves north to Portugal or Spain for the warmer months.
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!
