Morocco is gaining popularity as one of the world’s best winter surfing locations. From September all the way to March, you can find consistent swell, hot air temperatures and warm water. Boasting a unique African culture and a giant 2500 kilometres of coastline, Morocco is the place to be if you crave some winter waves. It isn’t only the winter that brings waves, though – Morocco gets good swell all year round! From beginner beaches to infamous point breaks, this paradise in the northwestern point of Africa is welcoming to surfers of any level.
Due to the nature of the curves in the coastline, going to Morocco for a surf camp is doable any time of the year. The coast faces north and southwest, so there are consistent breaks. If you’re looking for the biggest and best waves, the ideal time of year is winter. Starting in September through to March, the Atlantic ocean starts pumping and creates unreal swell. Beginner surfers might find more success during the summer months on smaller waves, with more advanced surfers tackling lined-up right-handers during the winter.
Where in Morocco can you find these perfect right-handers? The Taghazout area is generally known as the most popular. It used to be a small fishing village, but has now turned into a lively surf mecca full of bars, cafes, hostels, and camps. Taghazout is home to Anchor Point, or Anchors, a famous and often-visited surf spot in Morocco. Besides Anchors, you can find hidden gems all along the coast. Some of the most notable ones are Imsouane, Tamari, Killers, and Boilers.
As far as great places to stay while hopping from point to point, or if you’re simply looking for a solid spot to call home for a week-long surf trip, take a gander at the following surf camps. These surf camps are guaranteed to have you riding waves and chilling out in the African sun.
10 Surf Camps in Morocco
Surf Berbere
Touting a reputation as ‘Taghazout’s favourite surf camp’, Surf Berbere hosts a beautiful beachfront surf camp all year round. Surf Berbere offers a variety of packages ranging from Surf School and Surf & Yoga School to a course dedicated to becoming a Surf Instructor. They also organise college and university surf trips for an epic, all-inclusive surf camp experience.
Based right on Hash Point in Taghazout, surfers are perfectly set up to find consistent waves out the front door, with camp vans and other transport leading to different breaks along the coast. Surf Berbere is also only a 10 minute walk away from Anchor Point, so getting your daily reps in is easy no matter where you decide to go.
Surf Berbere Official Website: surfeberbere.com
Shaka Surf Morocco
The next camp is in the relaxed surf village of Tamraght. Shaka Surf Morocco is an all-level surf school and surf camp, with the goal of providing authentic and memorable surf holidays in Morocco. Nestled twenty minutes along the coast from Agadir, a major Moroccan city, lies this quiet and friendly surf camp. Shaka made a conscious decision early on to keep the team and camp groups on the smaller size, to provide a more personalised and friendlier experience. They believe in quality over quantity, which is why the max number of students per surf instructor is only 4.
Shaka Surf Camp provides beginner and intermediate surf packages, as well as a surf and yoga package. They also offer surf guiding, a package built for experienced surfers. Surf guiding will have you transported to some of Morocco’s most uncrowded spots, with a local guide showing you all the best breaks and places to paddle out. They even offer a discount on returning surfers, so what’s not to love?
Shaka Surf Camp Official Website: www.shakasurfmorocco.com
Surf Coast Morocco
Surf Coast Morocco is another popular camp based out of Taghazout, close to Anchor Point. It started in 2016, with a desire to combine the slow living, surfer lifestyle with an authentic Moroccan experience. Surf Coast Morocco offers weekly surf vacations including surf coaching and yoga classes, as well as fueling guests with authentic Moroccan fusion cuisine. A typical day at Surf Coast has you waking up with a beachfront view, doing some yoga, then catching a few waves during a surf lesson in the morning. The afternoon is dedicated to surfing freely, with transfer to a surf spot of your choice.
To prepare you for the next day and keep you satisfied, a family style dinner is prepared in the evenings. They provide a handy guide of all the nearby spots and popular breaks, with most a 5-15 minute walk or drive from Taghazout, and others under an hour away. The team at Surf Coast Morocco transports surfers by car to whichever break they want to try out on any given day, depending on water conditions.
Surf Coast Morocco Official Website: www.surfcoastmorocco.com
Atlanticzin Watersports
Offering a full range of surfing and kitesurfing camps, Atlanticzin Watersports may be one of the most unique surf camps on the list. Atlanticzin is located in Essaouira, Morocco, a crescent-shaped beach situated perfectly along the Atlantic coast. They offer surf lessons and camps all year round for any skill level. For more advanced surfers, the team takes surfers to spots such as Sidi Kaouki and Imsouan, and boasts about secret spots that they can share when you join the camp.
Surf camps range from 4 to 8 days, and include accommodation as well as breakfast, team dinners, surf equipment, and many hours of lessons. Surfers sleep in a Moroccan riad overlooking the coast, giving a spectacular view of the sunset and the sea. Atlanticzin is a good choice for wanderers looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of Taghazout, with it being around a 2 and a half hour drive away. All surf camp packages also offer yoga classes, allowing you to get your zen on when you’re not ripping in the waves.
Atlanticzin Watersports Official Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Atlanticzinwatersports/
Taghazout Surf Waves
Next up on our list is Taghazout Surf Waves, a surf camp back in the village of Taghazout. Steps away from decent waves, Taghazout Surf Waves is a camp dedicated to good surfing and good views. They boast an extreme 180+ degree view of the coast, where you can wake up each morning and check conditions before you paddle out.
Another plus point for the location is that it’s only 40km from the Agadir Al-Massira airport, meaning you can whip in and out very quickly for a short vacation with minimal travel, or you can stay much longer and soak in the sun. Taghazout Surf Waves offers three levels of surf school – Level 1, for beginners. Level 2, for intermediate surfers. And Level 3, for advanced surfers only, where the camp itself works more like a base camp for you to embark on a surf trip with a personalised guide showing you the hottest spots.
Taghazout Surf Waves is also one of the few camps that allow you to stay without needing to join the surf school, so you could potentially bring your board and go out at your own leisure. When you join the surf camp here, you’ll take a daily road trip in the morning to search for the best waves, and then it’s all water from there until the sun goes down.
Taghazout Surf Waves Official Website: https://taghazoutsurfwaves.com/
Crocro Surf Maroc
If you are after a surf camp jam-packed with waves and a variety of extra activities, Crocro Surf Maroc is the place for you. Located 14km from the city of Agadir, Crocro Surf Maroc is a famous and independent camp tailored specifically for each surfer’s needs. When booking, you have the option of choosing between a shared room or a private beachfront apartment.
There is also a selection of activities to add to your surf camp experience, ranging from a trekking trip in Paradise Valley to a traditional ‘Berber hammam’, which is a unique Moroccan-style massage ritual. If the waves are not pumping enough for you one day, they even offer horseback or camel riding through the desert.
Most Crocro surf school packages are 7 days long, and include a huge number of hours in the water, no matter if you are a beginner or advanced surfer. Since the school and accommodation itself are 4km away from Taghazout, you’ll avoid the crowds and have a small slice of coast to yourself to charge into the waves.
Crocro Surf Maroc Official Website: https://www.crocrosurfmaroc.com/
Surfline Morocco
Surfline Morocco is one of the most recommended camps in Morocco, and stakes a claim as ‘the ultimate in surf hospitality’, so you know you’ll be treated well as a student or experienced surfer just passing by. It’s located in Tamraght, only a 5 minute walk away from popular surf spots like Banana Point, Devil’s Rock, and Spiders.
Surfline offers all inclusive packages, including airport transfer both ways and three square meals a day – all you have to do is book your flight ticket and make it to the airport. Next thing you know, you’ll be roaring through heavy sets. With a variety of packages on offer for novice to elite surfers, there’s something for everyone at Surfline.
Choose the Beginner’s and Intermediate Package if you’re brand new or fairly inexperienced on a board. Choose the Surf Guiding package if you just need a local to point you in the direction of a solid break. Or, create your own package to tailor your surf holiday in Morocco and get exactly what you want out of Surfline.
Surfline Morocco Official Website: https://www.surflinemorocco.com/
Moroccan Surf Journey
Moroccan Surf Journey is next on the list, a surf camp and unique experience situated right in the village of Tamraght. Offering a traditional Berbere family house as their accommodation, Moroccan Surf Journey allows guests to choose from a few different surf camp options.
They are one of only a few surf camps in Morocco with the option for an all girls surf camp experience. This option is handy for large groups of female friends or solo travellers. They also offer the traditional surf camp package, with varying prices depending on the length of time and style of accommodation.
Moroccan Surf Journey instructors give lessons for two hours each morning, with a free surf session in the afternoons so hopefully you can get pitted. You can also book excursions from the camp to check out more popular breaks and coastline or go for an adventure inland. There are more than 15+ spots listed on the website, so there are almost guaranteed waves and the blissful freedom to ride them.
Moroccan Surf Journey Official Website: http://moroccansurfjourney.com/
Click Surf Maroc
From beginners popping up on white waves to experts getting barreled, Click Surf Maroc has a spot for all types of surfers. Offering up a massive 3+ hours of surf coaching or a full day of guiding each day, Click Surf Maroc is all about surfing. Located between Tamraght and Taghazout village, this camp houses guests in a Riad along the coast in the heart of Moroccan surf territory.
From early bird surfs if conditions are good, to sunset surfs, to full-day surf excursions – Click Surf Maroc guides guests through it all. After each surf day, an optional photo analysis and breakdown is available to correct and perfect techniques.
Each day at Click Surf Maroc also includes three meals, including a lunch on the beach and a ‘Tajine’ dinner, which is a clay pot and dish famously unique to Morocco. Eat right while you also gain an understanding of tides, wave formation, and ocean currents at Click Surf Maroc.
Click Surf Maroc Official Website: https://clicksurfmaroc.com/
Sunset Surf House
Last but certainly not least on the list is Sunset Surf House, a surf camp also located in Tamraght on the road to Taghazout village. Sunset Surf House offers up three choices of camp styles: Beginner Surf, Surf & Yoga, and Free Surf. Working backwards, the Free Surf package is aimed at more confident riders for a more affordable price.
Free Surf gives less coaching and more freedom to go off and discover your own favourite breaks. Surf & Yoga is exactly as advertised, giving guests a taste of the ocean during the day as well as a yoga session in the evening to wind down.
Beginner Surf is a full coaching experience, with each day starting by hopping in a car with your board. You and the other surfers search for some suitable sets for each student’s skill level. Chasing the best breaks, the Beginner Surf package will have you checking out numerous locations along the coast with your coach and hopefully catching a few solid waves.
Each package ends the day with a family dinner back at the Riad, equipped with chill-out hammocks, a beautiful terrace, and a fully stocked kitchen. Sunset Surf House in Tamraght should definitely be on your bucket list.
Sunset Surf House Official Website: https://sunsetsurfhouse.com/
Things to note before heading to Morocco
There are a couple of things to consider before hitting the beach in Morocco. If you’re more of a beginner surfer or just getting into the sport, make sure to pack sunscreen to protect your skin. Not only does Morocco get over 300 days of sun, the UV index can be quite high year round. The sun can really do some damage while you’re waiting for the next set to roll in or paddling out throughout your camp experience.
Another important thing to think about before heading to Morocco is that it is a country made up of 99% Muslim culture. The vast majority of the country is somewhat religious. It’s very important to respect the local traditions, customs, and laws, and try to get accustomed to living like a local would!
The last important point is to prepare yourself to hear different languages. Almost all surf instructors communicate in English just fine, but Arabic and French are actually the most popular languages. If you travel far from the beach you may encounter some locals expecting you to speak French. Don’t worry – translation apps and hand signals go a long way.
Summary – Why you would love surfing in Morocco
With spots all along the coast, pristine left and right-handers and a variety of reef and beach breaks, Morocco is an ideal place to learn to surf. Or, if you’re experienced, simply get away for a surf holiday.
Whether you head to the chilled out, dreamy Imsouane bay or the bustling surf mecca of Taghazout, there’s a spot for every surfer in this African wonderland. Affordable, sunny, and with some of the friendliest people on the planet, Morocco will hopefully be the next stop on your surfing bucket list – or the very first place you pop up on your board.