Essaouira or Taghazout: Where to Surf in Morocco?
Morocco's two best-known surf spots are very different. Essaouira is a windy art town with a wide bay; Taghazout is a surf village facing famous point breaks. Here is how to choose according to your level and the season.
Choose Taghazout if surfing is your priority and you already have some experience: its right-hand point breaks such as Anchor Point work best from October to April, and the village lives around its surf camps, about 30 minutes from Agadir and its airport. Choose Essaouira if you are a beginner, travelling as a family or also into kitesurfing: the bay offers gentler beach breaks, but the trade winds that blow almost all year often chop up the swell in the afternoon, making it Morocco's kite and windsurf capital. Essaouira also shines in summer, when the south goes flatter, and has a UNESCO-listed medina. On price, a 2-hour group surf lesson costs from €22 in Essaouira and from €38 in Taghazout, both rated 4.9/5.
At a Glance
| Criterion | Essaouira | Taghazout |
|---|---|---|
| Wave type | Beach breaks in the bay | Famous right-hand points (Anchor Point, Killer Point) |
| Ideal level | Beginner, intermediate | Intermediate, advanced (beginner spots nearby) |
| Wind | Strong trade winds almost all year | More sheltered, cleaner conditions |
| Best surf season | Spring-summer for beginners | October to April |
| Kitesurfing | Excellent | Limited |
| Atmosphere | Art town, UNESCO medina | Surf village, yoga, surf camps |
| Access | ~3 h from Marrakech | ~30 min from Agadir |
Waves and Level
In Taghazout, the right-hand points peel for a long time when the winter swell arrives; beginners learn on the gentler nearby beaches such as Banana Beach or Panorama. In Essaouira, the bay's waves are smaller and more forgiving, but the wind quickly makes them messy: surf in the morning. See surfing in Taghazout and surf lessons in Essaouira.
Lessons to Book
| Lesson | Spot | Rating | Reviews | Duration | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group surf lesson | Essaouira | 4.9 | 515 | 2 h | €22 |
| Beginner lesson with lunch and transfer | Taghazout | 4.8 | 363 | 2-6 h | €41 |
| Beginner lesson | Taghazout | 4.9 | 146 | 2 h | €45 |
| Lesson with local instructors | Taghazout | 4.9 | 133 | 2.5 h | €38 |
Ratings, reviews and prices taken from GetYourGuide; they vary with the season.
See surf lessons in Taghazout· GetYourGuideFree cancellation up to 24h before on most activities · the best time slots sell out first in high seasonReserve now, pay later on many activities
See surf lessons in Essaouira· GetYourGuideFree cancellation up to 24h before on most activities · the best time slots sell out first in high seasonReserve now, pay later on many activities
Out of the Water
Essaouira is a real town: medina, port, galleries and ramparts. Taghazout is about yoga, ocean-view cafés and trips to Paradise Valley or Imsouane. See what to do in Essaouira, what to do in Taghazout and Imsouane.
Where to Stay
In Taghazout, an all-inclusive surf camp keeps things simple; in Essaouira, a riad in the medina or a beachfront hotel. See the best surf camps in Taghazout and where to stay in Essaouira.
See accommodation in Taghazout· Booking.comFree cancellation on many properties · the best-rated places fill up firstNo prepayment needed on many offers: lock in your room now
Our Verdict
| Your profile | Our pick |
|---|---|
| First surf lesson | Essaouira (or Taghazout's beginner spots) |
| Intermediate or advanced surfer | Taghazout |
| Kitesurfing or windsurfing | Essaouira |
| Winter trip | Taghazout |
| Summer trip | Essaouira |
| Culture and medina | Essaouira |
FAQ — Essaouira or Taghazout
Essaouira or Taghazout for learning to surf?
When is the best season to surf in Taghazout?
Why is Essaouira so windy?
How much does a surf lesson cost?
Can you combine Essaouira and Taghazout?
In Short
- Taghazout → point breaks, winter, surf camps.
- Essaouira → beginners, kite, summer, UNESCO medina.
