Morocco's Atlantic coastline has a good selection of mostly uncrowded surf breaks, and when combined with the country's culture, cuisine, and other attractions, they make for a fascinating "surfari." Although surfing in Morocco was initially introduced by Americans and Australians in the '70s, Europeans and Moroccans are now the most common of those out in the water. In the past decade, the sport has gained in popularity, assisted by King Mohammed VI, who is patron of the Oudayas Surf Club in Rabat. There are now surf schools, shops, and camps dotted along the coastline, as well as a number of domestic competitions and surf riders' associations.
Although September through April is when you'll find the most consistent swells, decent surf occurs throughout the year, thanks to swells generated by the North Atlantic depressions combined with light offshore trade winds. Localism is yet to rear its ugly head in any great fashion, at least by Moroccans anyway, who are still rapt to share their waves with "cool" foreign surfers.
Point, reef, and beach breaks are to be found all the way from north of Rabat (Mehdiya Plage) to south of Agadir (Sidi Ifni). Between El Jadida and Safi are some excellent right-handers, as well as the beginner-friendly lagoon at Oualidia. Farther south there are quite a few breaks between Essaouira and Agadir, including Imessouane (another long right-hand break and a personal favorite) and the world-class wave at Anchor Point, just north of the surfer's village of Taghazout. As with most exotic surfing destinations, the most convenient way to access Morocco's surf breaks is by renting a car.
Recommended surf schools include Surfland (tel. 023/366110), overlooking the Oualidia lagoon; Kahina (tel. 028/826032; www.kahinasurfschool.com) at Imessouane; and Rapture (tel. 062/879389; www.rapturecamps.com) in Tamraght, near Taghazout. In Essaouira are Club Mistral (tel. 024/783934; www.club-mistral.com) and Magic Fun Afrika (tel. 061/103777 or 061/170410; www.magicfunafrika.com), which offer lessons and rent, sell, and repair equipment.
The Stormrider Guide Europe-The Continent (Low Pressure, 2006), by Bruce Sutherland, includes the best available write-up on Morocco's surf spots, while the site for Global Surfers (www.globalsurfers.com) offers plenty of specific information on most of Morocco's breaks and has a handy forum where current localized information can be sourced.
Tour Operators
Nomad Surfers (tel. 971/306992; www.nomadsurfers.com) is a Spanish-based company offering surfaris worldwide, including Morocco, where they have an operation in Tamraght, near Taghazout.
Pure Vacations (www.purevacations.com) is a U.K.-based travel specialist offering holidays worldwide, and has recently commenced an Ultimate Moroccan Surf Tour. The 7-night tour begins and finishes in Agadir, and includes return flights from London, all accommodation, meals, transport, and an accompanying surf guide and life guard.
Surf Maroc (tel. 01794/322-709; www.surfmaroc.co.uk) is a U.K.-based operation offering surf holidays, lessons, and yoga retreats from their Taghazout operation.
Zoco Boardriding Adventures (tel. 0871/218-0360 in the U.K., or 020/8144-1035 from elsewhere; www.zocotravel.com) offers surfing holiday packages, including a 7-night Morocco tour specifically for groups (school, surf clubs, university), which includes accommodation, surf tuition, meals, and transport.
