Taghazout was a quiet fishing village until surfers found the points in the 1960s and 70s, and it’s been Morocco’s surf hub ever since. What makes it special is the range packed into a short stretch of coast: long, peeling right-hand point breaks that draw experienced surfers from around the world, and soft, sandy beach breaks a few minutes away that are ideal for your first week on a board. The season runs through the European winter, the water never gets truly cold, and the vibe is laid-back café-and- -board-rack rather than party town.
The setup
“Taghazout” as a surf destination really means the cluster of breaks between Tamraght and Aourir in the south and Taghazout village and Imsouane to the north. Most people base in Taghazout itself or in quieter Tamraght, both lined with surf camps, board-rental shops and breakfast spots. The breaks are close together, so a camp van or a short walk gets you to whatever’s working that morning — and the right spot changes with swell direction, tide and wind, which is why local knowledge matters.
The surf spots
From south to north, these are the names you’ll hear:
- Anchor Point — the legend: a long, fast right-hand point that can hold serious size in winter. Confident surfers only, and it gets crowded when it’s on.
- Killer Point — a powerful right further north, named for the killer whales sometimes seen offshore. Big-day spot for strong surfers.
- La Source — a rocky right just south of Killer, named for the freshwater spring; works on a good swell.
- Panorama — a friendlier beach/reef setup right by Taghazout, popular with intermediates and a common lesson spot when it’s small.
- Imsouane — an hour or so north, “The Bay” offers one of the longest, mellowest rides in the country and is brilliant for improving longboarders and intermediates. See our airport-to-Imsouane transfer page.
- Tamraght breaks — Crocro, Banana Beach and the sandy beaches here are the everyday beginner classroom. Read the Taghazout transfer page for getting up to all of it.
Seasons & swell
The engine is the North Atlantic. From September to April, low-pressure systems out in the ocean send swell down onto the points, and that’s the season. Midwinter (December–February) brings the biggest, most consistent waves and the crowds to match at the famous points. The shoulders — October, November and March — are the sweet spot for most visitors: solid waves without peak-season chaos. Summer is small and gentle, fine for total beginners but quiet for everyone else. Water stays cool all year, so pack or rent a 3/2 wetsuit.
Surf camps
Taghazout and Tamraght run on surf camps — packages bundling a bed, breakfast, board and wetsuit hire, daily guided sessions to whichever break suits your level, and often yoga and airport pickup. They range from social backpacker houses to polished boutique setups. Booking a camp is the easiest way to surf here as a first-timer: the guiding takes the guesswork out of which spot to surf when. For where to stay and what camps cover, see our Taghazout surf camps guide.
Lessons & beginners
If you’ve never surfed, you’re in a great place to start. Lessons run on the sandy, forgiving beaches around Tamraght and Panorama with qualified instructors, boards and wetsuits provided. A two- or three- -day course will have most people standing up on a foamie; a week gets you riding green waves. Stay off the rocky point breaks until an instructor says you’re ready — they’re unforgiving and crowded.
Getting there from the airport
Taghazout is about 48 km north of Agadir Al Massira Airport — a 50–65 minute drive up the coast road. There’s no train and no direct bus to the villages, and many camp addresses aren’t signposted, so a pre-booked transfer that finds your door is the painless option; a grand taxi or hire car also work. Full prices and the route detail are on the Agadir airport to Taghazout page, with Imsouane covered separately.