Visitor’s Guide to Tamraght
Nestled between bustling Aourir (Banana Village) and the tourist town of Taghazout. Tamraght, Morocco is a quaint village with more chilled out vibe than its better-known neighbors. While it may be harder to find buzzing nightlife, Tamraght appeals to travelers looking to experience the pace of local life: surfing all day and sleeping all night.
With houses built up the hillside overlooking the sea; there are plenty of places to relax and refuel, check the surf, and watch the sun gracefully fall into the sea.
Two main streets make up the core of Tamraght, encased by two mosques which call to each other five times every day.
Small shops selling Moroccan flat bread and other essentials are dotted along the road, framed by houses with brightly painted doors and intricately decorated tile walls. This blog will detail everything you need to know as a visitor in this charming fisherman’s village turned international surf hotspot.
Food in Tamraght
Moroccan food is in a league of its own. Colourful tajines, couscous dishes, pastillas, and several other North African delicacies are made fresh using local ingredients.
Moroccan cuisine is a synergy of traditional Berber (the native people of North Africa) with influence from Spain & France. Local restaurants, as well as our amazing in-house chefs Mustapha and Omar buy ingredients daily and prepare fresh and nutritious meals for hungry surfers.
All of the produce that is used in the area is grown in and around Aourir (which gets its nickname from the sprawling banana plantations behind the beach), and all the animal products are also locally sourced.
Taking meals at Original Surf Morocco (OSM) is always a good option, to ensure a healthy and balanced cuisine without having to lift a finger. Details on our meal packages can be found here.
Tamraght is known for its restaurants and bustling cafes, for those looking to eat away from camp. There are many restaurants catering to European travellers, some at local prices and some with European prices.
There are a few restaurants on the coastal road N1 that have become OSM favorites, such as Lina Surf, Mona Cafe, and of course Babakoul.
Eating at these places, visitors can expect low prices, healthy food, and great atmosphere.
Lina Surf and Mona are famous for their chicken tacos and pizzas respectively, while Babakoul is more of a cafe preparing local favourites like tajine, and banana pancakes doused with Amlou (peanut butter with Argan Oil).
Examples of restaurants catering solely to tourists in the village are Let’s Be Healing Food and Le Happy Belly. You can expect vegan and vegetarian options at restaurants like this, and prices that are more European than Moroccan. There are several restaurants close to the beach, specialising in fish and tajine dishes.
You can soak in the last bit of sunlight over Devils Rock while enjoying freshly caught fish at Resto Imouran or Chez Brahim just a fifteen minute walk from Original Surf Morocco.
Morocco is known for its mint tea, but bean aficionados can take comfort in knowing that there are many cafes serving speciality coffee, as well as locally spiced coffee. Almost every restaurant or cafe you see would be happy to welcome you in for a caffeine fix, usually for no more than 1-2€.
Surf in Tamraght
Tamraght boasts five breaks, all of which are a 20 minute walk from Original Surf Morocco. There are three beach breaks: from north to south they are La Plage 17 (KM north of Agadir), CroCro/Imouran and Devils Rock. These spots work best at high tide and are mainly sand bottom with a few rocks.
All three breaks feature left and right hand waves, so goofy footers can get some frontside action after a pumping backhand session at one of the famous right hand point breaks in the area. With consistent northwest swell hitting the Moroccan coast from November to May, the sandbanks shift at these beach breaks and some work better than others depending on the latest storm.
Beginner and intermediate surfers can always find a wave that suits them at these three spots; whether they’re pushed into the whitewash by our seasoned instructors to stand for the first time or back in the lineup hunting set waves. The beach breaks work in swell from one to four feet, with a slight offshore breeze or no wind. Heavy wind or swell makes these three beaches (like any other beachbreak) messy and blown out.
The fourth break is called Banana Point. As its name suggests, Banana Point is a right hand point break beyond a 10 metre rock cliff on the south side of picturesque Banana Beach. Banana Point has become a staff favorite over the years, because of its proximity to the camp and quality ride.
Waves break beyond the cliff and send intermediate and advanced surfers into Aourir Bay on a spilling, playful right with some punch to it. Banana Point is the ideal place for intermediate surfers to try surfing a point break for the first time, because the drop is not as steep as Anchor Point or Killers and a deep bottom means that surfers are safe even at low tide when the spot works best. Banana Point can hold large swell (4-10 feet), and has been most memorably enjoyed at first light of New Year’s Day 2019 when Poseidon delivered a proper five foot and glassy swell with slight offshore spray coming off the top of the waves – not a bad way to fight off a hangover!
The last break in Tamraght is called Spiders and is for expert or kamikaze surfers only. Spiders is a slab that only works in swell larger than 4 foot at low or mid-to-low tide. It is located between Banana Point and Devils Rock, and can produce a draining, barreling A-frame that will provide rippers & shredders with some shade from the Moroccan sun while getting shacked.
Mindfulness and surfing are incredibly important. Surfers must know about where they are surfing, and our instructors are glad to guide guests through the best spot for them as they improve in their surfing. Spots like Spiders are not for 95% of surfers, and that’s okay because there are four other spots within a stones throw. Tamraght is a great place to surf, whether you’re a rookie or a experienced surfer.
Your surf journey in Morocco starts here.
Accessibility To Tamraght
Getting around Tamraght, and the Moroccan surf coast in general is incredibly easy. There is a new six kilometre bike path from Devils Rock north to Taghazout along the beach that can be walked, biked or skated. The small size of Tamraght means that everything within the village including the beaches are walkable in a matter of minutes. The local bus system is efficient, with the #32 ALSA surf bus running from Agadir to Taghazout several times an hour for 5.5 Moroccan Dirham per ride (roughly .55 €).
There are taxis that run along the coast and are also affordable – just lock in the price before getting in or make sure that there is a mileage metre running in order to avoid an unpleasant experience of negotiating or getting ripped off. Agadir International Airport and the central bus station are both accessible by taxi or bus, or by a competitively priced transfer pre-arranged with our driver to avoid any hassle.
Essentials
Morocco is in North Africa. Islam is the state religion here. Arabic and Berber Amazigh are the official languages – both of which are widely spoken. These are all facts. Another fact is that Tamraght is incredibly safe, easy and laidback for foreigners. Most people speak French, English, or both and have welcomed surf tourism with open arms. The village has everything you need from an “essential” standpoint: a currency exchange, pharmacy, barber, food, shops, transportation, and Moroccan hospitality.
Rubbish is collected, and of course there is running water for sanitation purposes – though we recommend drinking bottled water because of high chlorine content in the tap water. There are small shops selling anything and everything, snacks, drinks, electronics, bus tickets, you name it – you can find it in Tamraght. There are no bars or bottle shops in Tamraght, for that you must go to Agadir. Everything is inexpensive by European standards in Tamraght, with a kilo of mandarins costing around .5€, 10L of bottled water for 2€, and lunch in a cafe for 5€.
The vibe around town is very laid back. Since Taghazout is the surf & yoga tourist epicenter, it is a bit more hectic with vendors and activity. Aourir and Agadir are much more local, which can be overwhelming for tourists. Tamraght is the perfect mix, which makes it a special place for locals and visitors alike.
Things To Do Other Than Surf
There is plenty for non-surfers or down days in the area. Agadir Province is a magical region, featuring natural beauties like Paradise Valley as well as cultural hotspots like the Wednesday Souk (market) in Aourir. Our guests have enjoyed hiking the mountains enclosing Tamraght, both with other humans and furry friends from the local shelter we support; Moroccan Animal Aid.
Day trips are easy to Agadir, Taghazout or Essaouira, either with OSM arranged transport or free tips from our local staff on the most efficient way to reach each. Cleaning rubbish off the beach is a great way to give back to the ocean and show your appreciation for how lucky you are to be able to inhabit the beach and planet – after you surf take three for the sea. Going to a local hammam or spa is another great way to rejuvenate yourself while on holiday with either a scrub or a massage. For thrill seekers, ATVs, jet-skis, motorbikes and more are all available for hire in Tamraght.
Tamraght, Morocco is a special town. There is something for everybody, and everything for somebody. Drop us a line if you want to know more about anything we mentioned, or Tamraght as a whole. We’re excited to host you in this gem on the Moroccan coast and show you all the highlights firsthand from Here
Best Surf Spots in Morocco: 24 Breaks for All Levels
The Best Surf Spots in No Particular Order
Morocco has been the top priority of tourists from all over the world, especially during the ripe Morocco surf season. This piece of land is exquisitely famous for its lively shores, exhilarating waves, and impeccable surfing experiences. If you haven’t yet had the opportunity to spend your surf holidays in Morocco, you’d better add it to your vacation goals right now, and below are the 24 best surf spots in Morocco to visit.
Owing to the rich legacy in surfing sport, Morocco has now established a widespread variety of surfing spots. People are often confused about and, hence, often end up wasting time figuring out the places to visit during the Morocco surf season. We cut you some slack here and finally make life easier for you in this respect. Already know which spot you want to surf? View all our surf spots on the map
We have made a list of 24 must-visit surfing spots in Morocco to help you orient yourself wisely before you step on the Moroccan land. Gear up for the roller coaster.
1: Sidi Ifni
Having roots in Spanish colonial history, Sidi Ifni is a mix of heritage and culture. The rushing waves of the Atlantis kissing the margins of Sidi Ifni beach welcomes thousands of surf enthusiasts to sniff the air of this marvelous place. The blue and white theme of the building and the turbans of the inhabitants of this area add to the aesthetic beauty.
2: Mirleft
The south of Morocco boasts the coast of Mirleft; a place you can blindly trust for a constant flow of all types of tide heights on the beach. Additionally, if you don’t like an overcrowded surfing experience, this is the best spot for you. The climate is pleasant throughout the year and synchronizes well with the tourist moods.
3: Tifnit
Appears to be an isolated place but offers one of the strongest high-tide experiences in the whole of Morocco. If you have been surfing for quite some time and have a good knack of how to handle such difficulty level well, this is the place for you. The atmosphere is calm and the previous surfers recommend coming here in groups rather than solo adventure.
4: Anza
Recently, the news that Anza has undergone a cleanliness drive of the shores and the beaches have revived the tradition of beginner-level surfing here. The tides are mostly low and offer you left too. This offers a perfect package for new entrants in the surfing sport in terms of weather, tides, and accommodation facilities in the immediate vicinity.
5: Km 12 (north of Agadir)
As the name suggests, this place is named after its distance from the Agadir- a famous reference spot. The waves here are healthy for both beginners and intermediate-level surfers. The easy-to-experience left and right-hand waves of this place make it one of the significant choices for people who want to practice more with their surfing skills.
6: Banana point
A place conceiving many surf schools in its heart, Banana Point comes in handy for beginners to access and exercise their surfing potential. Taking its name from the adjacent Banana village, this point is a fortunate receiver of the might Northern winds that evoke continuous low tide experience. The shore is ornamented with rocky architecture and pleases the sight of water waves clashing magnanimously with it.
7: Spider (between Banana Point and Devil’s Rock)
Flaunting its flat sandy floor with rocky consistency, the spider spot halts surfers while moving from Banana Point to Devil’s Rock. The wave type is a reef break and the direction is mostly rightward and breeds tailor-made opportunities for beginners and intermediates.
8: Devil’s Rock
Mostly serving as the weekend go-to surfing spot for the locals, Devil’s Rock capacitates a good mix of rights and lefts and accommodates beginners in its low tides. The atmosphere is serene, and the local café by the side is always the best relaxing haven after all day physical exertion on the beach. All 3 surf spots, Banana, Devil’s Rock, Crocro, and KM17, are a 20-minute walk from the Original Surf Morocco camp. Devil’s Rock is one of the best surf spots in Morocco for beginners, with consistent, forgiving waves just steps from Tamraght.
9: CroCro surf Spot
It lies almost 15 km North of Agadir and is a welcoming spot for both beginners and advanced surfers. With a bit of offshore wind, CroCro is equipped with luxurious accommodation hotels and restaurants to keep you engaged with the vibrant life on the beach.
10: Panorama
Marking the South end of the Taghazout village, the Panorama spot often offers tides that are difficult to peddle and, hence, invites expert surf groups with conquerable challenges. The beginners can also try their luck on smoother parts of the shore. Lunch at the Panorama café is a usual highlight for surfers coming from all over the place. A short trip to the Paradise Valley nearby deserves a shot.
11: Hash Point
The sun disseminates its setting beauty to the fullest at this point of the shore. The locals are extremely friendly and the restaurants in the ambiance are full of life. Those inhabiting areas of Taghazout village find it the most interesting place to surf. The tides vary for mid to high so you can fit in accordingly.
12: Anchor Point
This venue is famous for its speed walls and cutback hooks coming in successive waves to hit the shore. The spot often gets busy, and the aura it creates is worth living in. The difficulty level of surfing here is high, and legend has it that the first ones to surf Anchor Point were Australians back in the 1960s. So, if you are in the mood of a roller costar surfing ride experience, this is your spot. Anchor Point is arguably the most famous of all the best surf spots in Morocco, a world-class right-hand point break.
13: Mystery
The Mystery spot received offshore winds from the northeast owing to its central location in Morocco. Winter is the most suitable season to come and surf here. The surf is inconsistent and the rocky margins are to be taken care of while sporting.
14: La Source
A place embellished with fresh water springs around the rocky shores and the flexible A-frame lifts that entertain enthusiasts of all expertise levels; La Source is a gem of a spot. This place has this special aesthetic appeal in terms of architecture, beach resorts, people, flora, and heritage, entitling it as the heaven of the surfers in Morocco. It is situated 3 km away from Taghazout and is the most tranquil area of the shore.
15: Killer point
It owes its name to the group of occasionally approaching Killer whales at this part of the ocean. Receiving a major chunk of North-West swells, the tides approaching the shores often create an erroneous illusion of their magnanimity, but in reality, they sometimes have the capacity to host a great number of intermediate level surfers as well. The strength of the waves consistently hitting the rocky margins of the coast is often reported to have rumbled the rock walls to the target point.
16: Dracula
The overall testing surroundings at this spot invite the strong hearted only; the hardly rightward pushes, the tide heights, the vampire teeth resembling rock structures, all add up to the toughness of the aura here. The wonderful barrels of Dracula spot are not only picturesque but also worth witnessing personally. These features equate it to the Boilers spot and, hence, it is acclaimed as its Evil Twin.
17: Boilers
The marginal hills that bounce the trade winds at this powerful right-hander venue augment the thrilling theme. A ship boiler lying south of the lighthouse of Cap Rhir gives this signature title to this place. This place hosts one of the best waves in Morocco. The huge vertical walls plummeting down from the mountain slopes crash the bottom to generate typical advanced level surfing tides.
18: La Boue
A land piece famous for its agriculturally rich soil and its deeply rooted cultural heritage in the French architecture and occasional dialects, La boue is an inherent incentive for every surfer to explorer. Fair place that attracts experienced surfers more.
19: Tamri
Home to flamingoes and camels, Tamri is a constant fun throughout the year. The strong left currents are a salient feature of this beach break but beginners can enjoy slight rightward pushes as well. Tamri lies on the Northern side of the coast and it gives a beautiful bird’s eye view when seen from above the cliff tops surrounding this area.
20: La Bea (IMSOUANE)
You haven’t seen Morocco if you haven’t surfed here. This place is a hub of all-day surfing sessions with maximum variety of waves, esp. the famous longest wave of Morocco. Locally, this place is known to be a small fish village, but it hosts experienced surfers from around the globe. Your tour package to this place ought to include all-day surf, a trip to Agadir and Paradise valley, and customary Yoga sessions that prepare surfers for their real actions. Imsouane is one of the best surf spots in Morocco for longboarders, with the longest wave on the Atlantic coast.
21: Cathedral (IMSOUANE)
Famous for its right hand point break, Cathedral Spot in Imsouance exists in the north-west swells of the Moroccan coast. It is an intermediate beach spot for body boarders. The rightward winds are strong and powerful while left sided shoes a pleasing reef break.
22: Sidi Kaouki
This spot speaks much about Bohemian culture and white-washed walls. If you like some privacy and meaningful solitude garnished upon your self-scheduled surfing activities this year, you go for this place. In addition, what might add to the spice of your stay here are the popular camel and horse rides along the coastline.
23: Essaouira
The North Eastern winds have a strong hold over the surfing abilities in this region of the coastline. It appears that it has been preserved well after the European influence of seaport culture back in the 18th century. It is indeed an all-year-round consistent beach break and is seldom crowded. Hence, a fair place to inhabit during the Moroccan surf season.
24: Safi
Experienced surfers term Safi as the best right-hand surf spot in Morocco Those who know the potential of Safi will never miss a stay here during their surf tour. The best seasons to surf here are winter and autumn.
With so many options along the Atlantic coast, it’s easy to see why these are considered the best surf spots in Morocco by surfers from around the world.