Morocco : The Surf

With a non-stop source of Atlantic swell - and a constantly changingshoreline of points, reefs and beach breaks - you're never far from the wavethat's right for you. Whether you're looking for reeling ten foot points,endless mellow six foot walls or the perfect wave to learn on, Morocco hasit all, add in some near perfect weather conditions (300 days sunshine ayear, average temperature Nov-Feb of 70°F (21°C), water temperature 57-65°F(14-18°C) and you've got a recipe for the ideal surf trip.

Morocco’s coast has the most direct swell exposure to NW swells in the NorthAtlantic, season is late September to early April (peak Dec-Feb). This canmake for an overabundance of swell at any other region but with the lined uppoints and sheltered spots, even the largest swells of winter can be wellgroomed in the area. As far as wind and tide go, the normal winter wind isNortheast, blowing offshore to moderately cross-shore. In mid to late April,the NW “Chergui” winds blowout most spots until September. Bad wind and lackof swell make these the worst months for Morocco. Tide can be an issue atthe points with low to medium being the preferred tides for the area. Thetides vary from 2-6 feet making them not extreme, but definitely mushing outthe waves when the dead of high tides come.

While Morocco is quite a massive country roughly the size of Peru (with nearly all rights instead of lefts), Surf Maroc focuses primarily on the surfing areas just to the north and south of Taghazoute (20min. N of Agadir). The variety of surf in this area of Morocco is huge, and Surf Maroc’s Taghazoute base provides a launch pad to over 2 dozen surfing spots in the immediate area. There are not many places like it. The region has something for everyone, from ideal beginner to intermediate level sand and rock points and beachbreaks to challenging hollow points and reef ledges for more advanced surfers. Deepwater swell heights in this part of the Atlantic can reach 15ft but the refraction of the swell around the numerous points and bays of this area will cut the swell size down by as much as 30-70% depending on how sheltered the particular spot is. Because of the sheer # of spots in this area, and other variables such as swell direction and size, tide (big tides here) and wind, a Surf Maroc expert guide is invaluable to ensure you don’t spend your entire day driving around checking everywhere or you may spend more time in the car than in the lineup.

Immesouane mellow rights w/ protection from the afternoon wind. Best on small swells.

Boilers a challenging and dangerous wave sucking off a submerged ship boiler and then barrels ever so close to the urchin incrusted rocks.

Draculas a heavy deepwater, tubing righthand pointbreak for serious chargers only w/treacherous rocky entry-exit to the lineup. Here and Boilers pick up the most swell of anywhere on the coast. You need a bigger board at these spots when there is a swell running like a 6-10 to 7-6 semi-gun ideally or you won’t be in the game.

Tiggers inside the bay from Draculas and more protected from swell and wind this stretch offers good quality right pointbreaks best on a moderate swell.

Tamri a rivermouth/beachbreak that picks up even the smallest swell.

Secrets a righthand reef break with fun, fast bowly-tubing waves that slightly back off then race down the line. Consistent and well sheltered from the N winds.

Killers Point the furthest outside break at a stretch of 3 waves here Killers, Mysteries and La Source. A deepwater righthand pointbreak best on large WNW or NW swells and low to mid tides with long walls breaking from the outside across the bay.

Mysteries a reefy stretch located between Killers and La Source. Sectiony peeling rights best on small-medium swells. Closes out through here when big.

La Source the wave starts out with a bowly hollow takeoff over reef and races into a fun inside section that ends in a sandy beachbreak. One of the few spots that is better with more tide.

Anchors Point the premiere wave in Taghazout and unfortunately the most crowded. The wave peels precisely along a rock headland with an outside and inside wave that link up on big swells to provide rides up to 400m long. The outside section is more bowly while the inside section tends to barrel across a shallow bay lined w/treacherous rocks. One of the most sheltered and obvious spots from large swell and strong N winds, can be the only spot holding a massive swell. The wave backs off more than you think so best to line up inside and closer to the point, you might catch a few waves that make your trip.

Panoramas A sand bottom pointbreak on the S end of Taghazoute town ideal for beginners or intermediates looking for cruisy stress-free waves.

Banana Point Another sand bottom point to the south of Taghazoute. A very long, lined up and innocuous righthander.