Riding waves in Morocco’s surf towns

Your budget surfer guide to Morocco

Morocco is a surfer paradise for budget travellers. Home to some of the best surfing beaches in the world, the summer months (April – September) are ideal for backpackers looking for some waves. Whether it’s a beach, reef or point break, the Moroccan coastline has it all.

Surfers has been travelling to Morocco for years because it has so many spectacular beaches. It’s also incredibly cheap and one of the best places to explore is the fishing village of Taghazout, which now operates as the 'surfing capital of Morocco'.

Go surfing in Tagahzout

Tagahzout is blessed with a beautiful coastline and there is always somewhere great to surf. The summer months (April - October) see small to medium waves, with surfing camps taking place on the northwest coast.

The fishing port has enjoyed legendary status for decades and many of its surfing pointbreaks are close to the legendary Anchor Point. Known as 'Madraba' in Arabic and 'Ikhflout' in the Berber dialect, Anchors generates huge waves and makes for a spectacular place to go surfing.

Morocco’s most famous surf spot was first discovered by Aussies back in the 1960s, and it has been attracting backpackers ever since. Anchor Point is a five-minute walk from Taghazout, so surfers usually stay in the town itself, especially as its close to other surf spots such as Hash Point and Panoramas.

Catching waves in Essaouira

Image by Antonio Cinotti (Flickr/Creative Commons)

Morocco’s hipster town on the coast once attracted Jimi Hendrix and other surfers back in the 1960’s. With its laid back hippie atmosphere, the UNESCO town is enormously popular with travellers. Essaouria, the wind capital of Africa, is a beach-sports paradise and not only attract surfers, but kayakers and kite-surfers too.

Essaouira beach is within walking distance of the town centre, meaning you're only minutes away from the fishing port, art galleries, souk markets, and other historical attractions. The tangible atmosphere make it a wonderful place to explore before you hit the beach.

Image by Patrick Nouhailler (Flickr/Creative Commons)

Essaouira's beach stretches the entire length of the town and is a 20 minutes' drive away from larger wave locations, including Sidi Kaouki and Moulay.

Perfect for a weekend escape in the sunshine, Essaouria and Taghazout are undoutedly the best destinations in Morocco to go surfing. Open-minded, bohemian and always sunny, these iconic towns have a fantastic range of surfer hostels where you can stay cheaply all-year-round.

Budget places to stay in Essaouira and Taghazout

We have excellent availability in both destinations if you book in advance. All you have to do is turn up with your backpack and you'll be able rent a surf board from the hostel. Most of them are catered towards surfers and watersport fans. Unsurprisingly, they are budget friendly too.

With dorms and rooms available from under €12 per night, there has never been a better time to go surfing in Morocco.

Header image by Heather Cowper (Flickr/Creative Commons)