Taghazout

Taghazout is a small fishing village and surf town about 20 km north of Agadir in south-west Morocco. It sits on the N1 coastal road between Agadir and Essaouira and is one of the best-known surf destinations in North Africa.

Taghazout was a quiet fishing village until surfers started arriving in the 1960s and 1970s. Today it is a small town of guesthouses, surf camps, cafés and surf shops along a steep main street that runs down to the beach, while fishing boats still land on the sand below the village.

The area is under massive development and is growing together with the neighbouring villages of Tamraght and Aourir. The original beach cafés and shops have been flattened. South of the village, the Taghazout Bay development has a seafront promenade, a golf course and several large international resort hotels.

The village itself is liberal by local standards. Swimwear is fine on the beach, but cover up in the streets.

This guide also covers the neighbouring villages of Tamraght and Aourir to the south, a few kilometres down the coast. They are quieter and often cheaper than Taghazout, and closer to the sandy beach breaks where most beginners learn. Aourir is also known as Banana Village for the banana plantations along the road.

The climate is mild all year. Winter days are usually sunny and warm, nights can be cool. The Atlantic is cooler than many visitors expect: most surf schools hand out 4/3 mm wetsuits all year round.

The most convenient by plane is to arrive at the airport of Agadir (Al Massira), about 40 minutes' drive away. Another airport in the region is in Marrakech, and some international flights go to Essaouira. Somewhat further away is the airport of Casablanca.

• Agadir – You can take the local bus 32 or 33 from Agadir to Taghazout. The bus starts north of Souq El Had, close to the CTM bus station. The bus (32 & 33) runs every 30 min from 06:00-20:00 and takes 45 mins. It costs 7 dirham. There is also an Agadir–Tamri bus passing through Taghazout. Grand taxis can be caught from the main plaza. Or you can take a taxi from the Agadir airport to Taghazout, which costs 300 dirham, or from Agadir's long distance bus station the taxi should cost about 150 dirham. The going price for a private taxi from Agadir anywhere in the center to Taghazout is 150 dirham. We found the same price to go back to Agadir. (Updated Dec 2023) Many surf camps and local operators also offer pre-booked airport transfers.

• Marrakech – There are several buses daily to get you to Agadir from Marrakech. You can also take a direct taxi if you prefer comfort, which costs 1,200 dirham (day and night), or a shared shuttle bus for 160 dirham (run by Souk to Surf).

• Casablanca – You have a few options. You can either jump on the train to Marrakech and from there to Agadir. Or you take a train to Casa Voyageurs in Casablanca and take a Supratours bus directly from there to Agadir. These run at specific times every day and take 6-8 hr to reach Agadir. The quickest route is probably the train to Marrakech and then a bus, and it has the added benefit of allowing you to pass through a major city and perhaps stop there for a night to see the market and the town. The train can be crowded though, so it's best to get a first class ticket so you have a booked seat. The price difference is not major.

• Tangier and Rabat – Take a train via Casablanca to Marrakech. Then take a bus to Agadir.

Between Essaouira and Agadir it is very easy to catch an intercity bus anywhere along the way. While CTM and Supratours are not allowed to pick up additional passengers, local intercity buses do not have such a restriction. From the Essaouira airport you can take the local bus, a taxi or walk to the intersection of the country road "National route 1" where the local intercity buses take you to Taghazout. During the day there is one bus about every hour. This is a great way to explore the coast including Taghazout between these two cities without issues. The regular price for the full distance is 50 dirham. From Essaouira and Imsouane, there is also the option of getting the Souk to Surf shuttles which cost 120 and 80 dirham respectively.

The village is so small that everything can be reached on foot. To get to surf spots further along the coast, the dunes or the valleys inland, use a grand taxi, the local buses on the N1, or the transport that surf camps and tour operators include in their trips.

The village is small and walkable. The main attraction is the coastline — Anchor Point to the north, Hash Point closer to the village, and Panorama Beach further south. The headland above Anchor Point offers views of the full bay. In the late afternoon, the fishermen bring their boats up onto the beach below the village.

Surfing is the main reason most people come. The best-known break is Anchor Point, a long right-hand point break north of the village. Along the same stretch of coast are Hash Point in front of the village, Panoramas to the south, and to the north Killer Point, Mysteries and, a little further up, Boilers. The point breaks are for experienced surfers; beginners usually learn on the sandier beach breaks around Tamraght and Aourir, which surf schools drive to depending on conditions.

The main season with the biggest swells runs roughly from October to April. Summer brings smaller waves, which suits beginners. Line-ups get busy over the Christmas break. Compared with surf destinations in Spain and France, the water is warmer and the line-ups are often less crowded.

Surf schools and camps include:

• Amayour Surf
• Mint Surf
• Surf Berbere
• Surf Maroc
• Taghazout Discovery, Taghazout, ☏ +212 637 435718. Daily; group surf lessons start at 10:00, sandboarding trips at 16:30. Small local operator founded in 2021 by Abdellah, a surfer from Taghazout, and coach Jamal. Group surf lessons for beginners (2.5–3 hr, board and wetsuit included, 6–8 people) and private lessons, sunset sandboarding trips to the Timlalin dunes (also with quad or camel ride), trips to Paradise Valley and airport transfers. Free pick-up in Taghazout and Tamraght. Booking by WhatsApp, payment in cash (euro or dirham) on the day. Group surf lesson €29, private surf lesson €39, sunset sandboarding from €29, Paradise Valley group trip €20, airport transfer from €20. (updated Oct 2026)
• Taghazout In & Out — surf lessons, board rental and all-inclusive surf weeks; also publishes a free live surf forecast and webcams for 20 breaks in the region, in 10 languages.

The Timlalin dunes (also called Taboga), a small field of sand dunes about 20–30 minutes' drive from Taghazout, are the closest place to try sandboarding. Most trips go in the late afternoon so you are on the dunes for sunset, and many are combined with a quad or camel ride. Sandboarding does not depend on the swell, so it is a common plan for flat days. Several of the surf schools and local operators in Taghazout run trips; boards can also be rented at the dunes.

When there are no waves, many surf camps take their guests inland to Paradise Valley and the Imouzzer area (see Go next). Day trips to Essaouira (about 3 hours each way) and Marrakech (about 3.5 hours each way) are also widely offered, but involve long drives.

Surf shops on the main street sell and rent boards, wetsuits and accessories. For larger shopping, banks and supermarkets, go to Agadir. Bring enough cash: card payment is not common in the village, and many small businesses and activity operators only take cash.

• Restaurant Florida (Centre of town.). Pizzas, crepes. 
• Le Paix. Pizzas, milkshakes, burgers, tagines, vegetarian options. 
• Café Mouja, N1 near Surf Maroc. 08:00-22:00. Burgers, salads, pastas, tagines, juice bar, view of the ocean. Recommended. 
• Panorama, Panorama Point. Daily 7AM–7PM. Great views. Service and cleanliness are poor. 
• Dar Josephine, On N1 in the centre of town, ☏ +212 674-776018. Relaxed, artistic ambience. Good breakfast. Mains 55-65 dirham. 3 courses for ~90 dirham. (updated Apr 2017)

As of late 2023, the one bar selling alcoholic drinks in town is at the popular Dfrost hotel. Otherwise, the village runs on mint tea, coffee and fresh juice.

Check out the regular reservation websites, there are plenty of options. However, touts at the central square will also be able to arrange you a room in an apartment or even a whole house, especially for a longer time. Many surf camps sell week packages including accommodation, meals and lessons.

• 30.54585-9.708771 Adventurekeys, 27 Rue Tasga Oudrar (Village centre, about 2 minutes' walk from the beach), ☏ +212 633 196 196, bookings@adventurekeys.com. Surf camp and hostel, with dorms and private rooms, shared meals, daily surf lessons, yoga and a coworking space. The rooftop terrace overlooks the bay. Week packages (dorm bed, meals, surf lessons) from €449.  (updated Oct 2026)
• Taghazout surfhostel, Taghazout Centre, 9 behind West coast restaurant, ☏ +212 676 069 495, info@surfhostel.info. A chilled out and relaxed environment for beginners and seasoned surfers. Other services: surf guiding/surf spot transfers €10/day, €70/week; surfboard rental: €10/Day, €70/week; wetsuit rental €5/day, €35/week; 2 hours surf lesson: €10, €70/week; yoga session: €10 (1 hour, around the sunrise or sunset) Dorm with breakfast €13, dorm all meals €20, double/twin room with breakfast €30. (updated Mar 2017)
• 30.50846-9.674462 Tigmi Ocean Glory, 1 Hay Tissaliouine Tamraght Aourir, ☏ +212 6 44 94 13 60, toll-free: +212 5 28 31 51 61, tigmioceanglory@gmail.com. Surf camp, offering spacious clean rooms, Moroccan food and nice scenery. Double, triple and dorm rooms with shared bathrooms and one private suite. The bedrooms are spread over 4 floors. Gym and numerous relaxing areas available to guests. There are a number of terraces, where from its hillside location guests can enjoy panoramic views of the ocean and surrounding mountains. The accommodation also has Wi-Fi in communal areas.  (updated Oct 2017)

Taghazout is generally safe. The main risks are in the water: the point breaks run over rock and reef, have strong currents and are not suitable for beginners. Sea urchins are common on the rocks, so reef booties help. Take a lesson or ask locally before paddling out somewhere new.

Most ho(s)tels will have WiFi.

• Tamraght and Aourir – the neighbouring villages to the south, with beginner-friendly beach breaks. Aourir is also known as Banana Village for its banana plantations.
• Paradise Valley – a palm-lined gorge in the mountains about 1 hour inland, with natural rock pools. In late summer the pools are often low or dry. About 10 km further up the valley, the Tizgui area has water all year.
• Imouzzer – mountain village above Paradise Valley, known for its waterfall, which only flows after rain.
• Imsouane – a quieter surf village about 1.5 hours north, known for one of the longest right-hand waves in Morocco.
• Essaouira – walled port town about 3 hours north.