Date of publication 16/10/2026
Surfing in Morocco: have you caught the wave yet?
A journey through surfing in Morocco full of tips and ideas.
Make our hotels in Morocco your starting point for surfing the beaches of North Africa. In this post, we explore why Morocco has become such a favorite among those who embrace the surfing lifestyle, where and when to travel for the best waves, and what you will need, especially if you are just starting (surf schools, basic safety tips, and equipment). And because surfing goes far beyond the sport itself, you will also find places to stay and ideas to inspire your trip in destinations closely connected to Moroccan culture.
Why Morocco is a surfing haven
A surfing legacy dating back to the 1960s
The local lifestyle is inseparable from surfing, and starting in the 1960s, American and European surfers began discovering the potential of Morocco's Atlantic waves. Over time, places like Taghazout became popular destinations for travelers in search of new breaks. Today, the warm, energetic atmosphere that grew out of those early encounters between visitors and local communities lives on in a surfing culture that continues to evolve.
Winds, seabeds, and waves for every level
From Marrakech to the beaches of Agadir and Saïdia, Morocco offers opportunities to combine culture, relaxation, and activities by the sea. Our hotels in Morocco can be a starting point for exploring these destinations. Along the Atlantic coast, different surf spots stand out for their beauty and favorable surfing conditions. Sandy and rocky seabeds, combined with exposure to swells and winds, create waves of varying intensity. This means both beginners and experienced surfers can find places suited to their abilities.
The best beaches for surfing in Morocco
Agadir and Cape Ghir
If you are planning a surfing getaway to Morocco, the city of Agadir, its beach, and Cape Ghir form an ideal triangle. The geography of this region creates the highest concentration of famous waves in the country. The prevailing wind is offshore, meaning it blows from land toward the ocean and smooths the surface of the water. Well-known breaks such as Dracula's and Boilers can be found around the cape near Agadir Beach.
Taghazout and Anchor Point
Staying active on vacation can be a great way to support well-being. From your hotel in Morocco, head to Taghazout, a well-known surfing hub north of Agadir. This stretch of Atlantic coastline is home to beaches and breaks with very different characteristics.
Anchor Point is best suited to experienced surfers, due to its powerful waves and the characteristics of the break. Its name is associated with the old anchors once found along this part of the coast.
In Taghazout, surfing and active vacations naturally go together. Other water sports include windsurfing, kitesurfing, sailing, scuba diving, and snorkeling. Nearby surf spots include Mysteries, Dog Steps, The Source, and Killer Point.
Essaouira, the closest option to Marrakech
Where can you surf during a short trip to Marrakech? Essaouira, about 118 miles (190 kilometers) from Marrakech, offers a change of pace from the bustle of the city. Here, seasonal trade winds bring breezy conditions, especially during the summer months, when the area is also a popular destination for windsurfing and kitesurfing.
The surrounding area is also home to some of Morocco's best-known surf schools and academies (more on those later), along with specialist shops. If time allows, explore Essaouira itself, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Imsouane, home to one of Africa's longest right-hand waves
At Imsouane Beach, about 43 miles north of Agadir, surfing and fishing traditions share the shoreline. Travelers from around the world come here to enjoy its laid-back surfing atmosphere. At the spot known as The Bay, surfers can ride one of Africa's longest right-hand waves, with rides that can stretch for up to 800 meters (about half a mile) when conditions are right. Along with Cathedral Point, it is one of the area's best-known places to enjoy surfing and get the adrenaline flowing.
This bohemian destination also offers yoga and meditation sessions, sailing, local food, nightlife, and leisurely walks among its traditional shops.
Saïdia, the Mediterranean's "Blue Pearl"
Saïdia, known as the Mediterranean's "Blue Pearl" and sometimes called the Moroccan Caribbean, lies near Berkane, in northeastern Morocco. The surrounding region is known for its clementine groves, one of its local symbols.
With nearly 9 miles of sandy beaches and turquoise waters, Saïdia is an inviting destination for a family beach vacation. Here, you can combine relaxation by the Mediterranean with coastal walks and other water activities, depending on local availability and sea conditions. Explore our family hotels in Morocco.
Legzira, among fiery-colored rock formations
Near Sidi Ifni, a surfing town in southern Morocco, Legzira Beach stretches for almost 2.5 miles away from the main tourist areas, with a peaceful atmosphere and relatively few visitors. Fiery-colored rock formations and caves define its shoreline. Waves range from gentle to moderate, attracting both newer surfers and those with more experience (the area is also home to a well-known surf school).
Along this largely undeveloped shore, beachside restaurants draw surfers and locals for fresh fish and seafood. In Sidi Ifni, about 6 miles away, you can unwind at a local hammam.
What level do you need, and how can you catch your first waves?
Spots for beginners, intermediate surfers, and experts
From the Mediterranean north to the Atlantic south, Morocco’s coastline is home to a deeply rooted surf culture. Shaped by Arab and Amazigh traditions, Mediterranean influences, and the raw power of the Atlantic, where the most consistent swell and best winds are found, the country’s best-known breaks and surf towns have become part of the experience.
Surfing is also a fun way for children to stay active on vacation. Younger surfers and beginners can learn in calmer areas of Imsouane, Tamraght, and Aourir, provided conditions are suitable and they have professional supervision. Intermediate surfers can find options around Essaouira, depending on the swell. Safi, along with Anchor Point, Killer Point, and Dracula's, presents challenges best suited to experienced surfers.
What to bring and basic water safety tips
Along with a first-aid kit and high-SPF sunscreen in your beach bag, pack the basic equipment you need for surfing: a board, fins, and a leash. Wear an appropriate wetsuit or technical surfwear, and wax the deck of your board. Many surf schools and specialist shops rent equipment, so you do not necessarily need to bring your own.
Whether you have never surfed before or already have years of experience, always check the weather and surf forecast and choose a spot that matches your ability. A softboard can help cushion impacts for beginners. Along Morocco's Atlantic coast, currents and tides can change quickly. Stay within designated surfing areas, give other surfers plenty of space, and be mindful of swimmers in the water.
Where to learn: surf schools and camps
Surf schools in Taghazout, Essaouira, and Legzira
Stay at a hotel in Morocco close to water sports and book lessons with a surf school in Taghazout, Essaouira, or Legzira, whether you’re learning the basics or improving your technique. Most established schools are based near the best-known breaks, and there are usually gentler beginner beaches close by.
Essaouira is one of Morocco's leading surfing destinations and has shops offering lessons and equipment rentals at accessible prices. Loving Surf, an internationally recognized school, offers kitesurfing, paddleboarding, and surfing lessons, as well as guided excursions to explore different spots, meet fellow surfers, and learn more about the local waves.
At Legzira Beach, Legzira Surf offers affordable rates and experienced instructors. Blue Waves Surf House, in Taghazout, combines shared accommodations with surf lessons in an international setting, along with activities such as yoga, excursions, and wellness experiences.
When to travel for the best waves
Staying at an all-inclusive hotel in Morocco while chasing the best waves is something you can do almost year-round. The prime period is from October through April, when winter swells arrive and surf season is in full swing. Travelers from around the world head to this corner of North Africa to get in the water while also exploring its culture and scenery. For kitesurfing, the main season runs from March through October, including the summer months.
Where to stay on your surfing trip
Iberostar Waves Founty Beach
Iberostar Waves Founty Beach is one of those hotels in Agadir that makes it easy to combine active days with time to relax by the ocean. Set right on the beachfront, the hotel is a welcoming option for families and groups of friends. Facilities include a hammam, tennis court, fully equipped fitness center, and daily sports program, as well as several pools where you can recharge between surf sessions and restaurants serving Moroccan cuisine.
Iberostar Waves Saïdia
If you are looking for a hotel in Saïdia to enjoy the Mediterranean, the all-inclusive Iberostar Waves Saïdia offers direct access to a nearly 9-mile beach in the Mediterranean's "Blue Pearl." The hotel draws inspiration from Morocco's Amazigh culture and offers restaurants and bars, swimming pools, and a spa. It is an inviting choice for combining relaxation, beach vacations, and water activities, depending on the hotel's program and sea conditions.
Iberostar Waves Club Palmeraie Marrakech
At Iberostar Waves Club Palmeraie Marrakech, mornings begin in Marrakech's historic Palmeraie, an oasis of gardens and palm trees. This lush resort is located near the Medina, making it easy to explore the city and its traditions. It’s one of our Marrakech hotels, where you can combine a coastal surf trip with a cultural stay inland. You can also stay active with tennis, badminton, basketball, and volleyball.
Beyond the board: Moroccan culture
Medinas, food, and mint tea
Surfing in Morocco, together with the life that has grown around it, has gradually shaped a travel philosophy of its own. Its beginnings were physical: favorable winds, generous swells, and beaches with all the right conditions for a surf scene to emerge in the mid-20th century.
Over time, surfing became closely connected with the local lifestyle, including meeting new people, the bohemian atmosphere, and, of course, the medinas and Moroccan cuisine, where generosity and rituals of hospitality are part of everyday life. Since the 1960s, some travelers drawn to Morocco by its waves have found other reasons to stay and become part of local life. Mint tea remains one of the clearest symbols of that warmth and hospitality. If someone offers you a glass, accept it.
Combining Morocco with Tunisia
Have a few extra vacation days? One option is to extend your trip with a stay at our hotels in Tunisia after surfing in Morocco, giving you more time to discover the traditions and places of this part of North Africa. It is also a chance to enjoy more beaches, memorable sunsets, and the hospitality of the people who call the region home. The first part of the trip can revolve around activity and surfing, followed by a slower-paced stay in Tunisia.
Plan your surfing getaway with Iberostar
Where are you heading for your next surf trip? Iberostar can be part of it, with hotels where you can relax between days on the water. We’re all about active holidays that bring you closer to the sea and the nature around each destination. Discover our other hotels in Morocco and start picturing yourself riding the waves.
