The groomed waves. The temperate water. And that sun… oh that glorious sun! Yep, the winter surf season in Morocco beats the frosty and sometimes freezing conditions in Europe, the United Kingdom, or the States.
And because you can both fly and drive here, Morocco’s Atlantic Coast is totally doable for vanlifers and holidaymakers alike. So what are you waiting for?
We don’t want you to miss an epic session or feel like your surf trip was anything less than amazing. We want you to enjoy it to its fullest!
With that in mind, we talked with a few veteran surfers and asked longtime staff members what their top tips are for enjoying winter surfing in Morocco.
Here’s what they came up with!
1. Winter is the best surf season for intermediate to experienced surfers
Morocco has waves for all skill levels, don’t get us wrong. But the winter surfing season months of December, January and February are definitely the best time of the year for intermediate surfers and experienced surfers.
The beach breaks and pointbreaks like Hash Point, Anchor Point and others tend to be bigger and more consistent during this time of year. And with extra size comes more potential for the ride of your life.
Plus, with a little help from our expert guides, you can rest assured that you’ll be in the right surf spot at the right time when the swell does arrive. Travelling surfers can’t ask for much more than that!
2. You’ll need a wetsuit for winter surfing in Morocco
Yes, Morocco is definitely warmer during winter than most of Europe, the United Kingdom and most of the States. But that doesn’t mean the water temperature is going to be balmy.
Remember, this is still winter in the Northern Hemisphere. Expect it to be around 62°F – 64°F (approx. 16°C – 18°C) with February being the coldest month. So pack a good 3/2 or a beat-up 4/3 and you should be sweet.
But if the cold weather rattles you, just think of all the green waves you’ll be taking on your surf trip.
3. A surf guide is a MUST if you want to epic uncrowded waves
We can’t stress this enough – a surf guide is the difference between a good trip and an epic surf trip.
Why?
Because they know the surf spots, conditions and tides like the back of their hand AND they have all the local connections to make sure you get to all the best surfing destinations in Morocco.
Let’s not forget either that a surf guide will ensure you find decent waves on bad forecasts and outright amazing waves on a good forecast, thereby maximising your time in the water.
Isn’t that enough to convince you?
4. Repeat after us… “extra volume is my friend”
The waves for winter surfing in Morocco get big. Bigger than the rest of the year. And there’s also plenty of offshore wind on the best days.
This means you need to be packing some extra volume in your quiver to make sure you can paddle into those winter bombs. This is a local tip and advanced surfers know it to be true.
So if you dread airdropping into oblivion or being blown off the back of the wave of the day, bring a surfboard with extra litres for the winter months. A few extra litres could be the reason you snag the wave of the day!
5. It never hurts to do some pre-trip training
There’s an old saying in surfing that the best way to train for surfing is to surf.
And while this is definitely true in many regards, it never hurts to do some extra physical training before your winter surfing trip to Morocco. Swim laps, run through the park or check out one of the many pre-trip fitness routines found on YouTube.
And remember that doing something is better than doing nothing when it comes to surfing the best waves Morocco has to offer.
6. Keep in mind that there are no ATMs in Taghazout
Traveling surfers coming from overseas might be shocked to learn that the surfiest surf town in all of Morocco has no ATM!
The good news is that you can pay by card in most cafes, surf shops, and restaurants. And that includes Surf Maroc. If you want extra cash though, withdraw it at Agadir airport. Otherwise, you’ll need to drive to the closest ATM in Banana Village every time you need to take out money.
7. Pack a few extra layers for those cold Moroccan nights
Arrived in Taghazout on a sunny winter’s day? Then you’ll be totally blown away by the warm weather when the sun is out.
Once that sun drops and the desert chill sets in though, you’ll be totally blown away but just how cold it can be. Of course, there’s no danger of snowfall and you most likely won’t need to worry about hypothermia, but with winter nighttime temps that regularly drop below 50°F (10°C), you’ll be smart to bring a few extra layers.
8. You can always hire performance winter surfboards from us
Lugging a surfboard to and from airports AND having to foot exorbitant airline surfboard fees can really put a bummer on any surf trip.
Sure, it’s nice to have your own board. But is it really worth the cost and effort? After all, we stock a selection of surf equipment and high-performance boards for you to rent.
Made for intermediate and expert surfers and selected to handle powerful winter waves and pointbreak surf spots like Hash Point, Anchor Point and beyond, you can simply let us know your surf level and which size and type of board you’re after – we’ll sort you out lickity split!
No worrying about a heavy surfboard bag. No paying hundreds of euros or dollars for one or two boards. By hiring from us, you’re also supporting local shapers too. So it’s a win-win!
9. Electrolytes, charcoal pills, and (possibly) antibiotics are worth bringing
Like Indonesia and some coastal towns in South and Central America, gastrointestinal bugs in Morocco are unfortunately part of the package.
These bugs don’t strike everyone down. And all the food and water at Surf Maroc locations are totally safe. But if you’re someone who’s particularly susceptible to getting sick when travelling, it might be worth bringing some electrolytes, charcoal pills and (possibly) antibiotics.
After all, better to have them and not need them than need them and not have them.
10. You can find accommodation options for all budgets
Gone are the days of winter surfing Morocco when saving money on accommodation meant roughing it. With the introduction of our Amouage, Taghazout Villa and Villa Mandala, you can now find accommodation options to suit all budgets.
The Amouage is our mid-range surf hotel, perfect for those who want to relax in style after a long day of winter waves. The Taghazout Villa is our budget-conscious option, offering incredible value for money with its ocean-view terraces, close proximity to the beach and surf packages with surfing lessons.
And then there’s the Villa Mandala yoga retreat – this is where we run year round Surf & Yoga packages for beginner surfers and intermediates who want to combine a chilled-out surf trip with daily yoga classes.
No matter where you stay with Surf Maroc though, both the intermediate and the experienced surfer is guaranteed an incredible experience when it comes to surf spots in Morocco.
Oh… and this year is extra special too given that the first-ever Taghazout Surf Expo will be taking place from 27th – 30th October.
The first of its kind in North Africa, it brings together 37 brands from surf schools, specialised travel agencies, clothing, accessories and equipment manufacturers to promote surfing in Morocco. Unmissable, if you’re in the area.
So will you be one of the lucky few travelling surfers to sample its exotic delights and endless waves? We hope we got you keen with this complete guide.