Morocco
Best time to surf Morocco
When the swell, the weather and the crowds line up in Morocco, region by region, so you can pick the right weeks.
- Main seasonOctober to March
- Best wavesOctober to February
- Smallest surfJune to August
How the swell works in Morocco
The coast faces west and north-west into the Atlantic. From October to March, groundswells from storms in the North Atlantic wrap into the points, and the morning wind is usually offshore. Summer is smaller and windier, but the beaches still work for learning.
Morocco surf season, month by month
| Month | Surf | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| January | Prime | Big, regular swell and the best chance of clean points. Swell: NW groundswell. |
| February | Prime | Still consistent; cool mornings, sunny days. Swell: NW groundswell. |
| March | Good | Swell still coming, wind starts to pick up. Swell: NW. |
| April | Good | Smaller swells, warmer water, fewer people. Swell: NW. |
| May | Shoulder | Smaller and windier; beaches good for learning. Swell: Mixed. |
| June | Quiet | Summer winds, small surf, the points rarely work. Swell: Small. |
| July | Quiet | Hot, windy and busy with Moroccan holidaymakers. Swell: Small. |
| August | Quiet | Small surf, beaches crowded with families. Swell: Small. |
| September | Good | The season starts again, water at its warmest. Swell: First NW swells. |
| October | Prime | Points start working, warm water and light winds. Swell: NW groundswell. |
| November | Prime | Consistent swell, one of the best months. Swell: NW groundswell. |
| December | Prime | Reliable surf; Taghazout busy around Christmas. Swell: NW groundswell. |
Region by region
Taghazout & Imsouane · best October to March
Morocco's surf capital and its line of right-hand points
| Months | Verdict | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Oct-Mar | Prime | North-west groundswell, morning offshores, the points work |
| Apr-May, Sep | Good | Smaller swells, warmer water and fewer people |
| Jun-Aug | Quiet | Small and windy; the beaches still work for learning |
Avoid: Don't leave valuables on the beach or in a parked car, and don't paddle out at the points in the middle of the main peak if you can't handle the size.
Booking: Book surf houses ahead for Christmas, New Year and February half-term in Europe, when Taghazout fills up.
- Taghazout 6 spots
- Tamraght & Aourir 5 spots
- Boilers & Tamri 3 spots
- Imsouane 2 spots
Essaouira · best October to April
A walled medina, strong winds and the beach at Sidi Kaouki
| Months | Verdict | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Oct-Mar | Good | Swell and lighter morning winds; Sidi Kaouki works best |
| Apr | Shoulder | Wind picking up; mornings only |
| May-Sep | Quiet | Strong north wind most days: kite season |
Avoid: Don't expect good surf in summer: it's kite season. Cap Sim is a rocky reef for experienced surfers only.
Booking: Riads in the medina fill up at Easter, Christmas and during the Gnaoua music festival in June.
- Essaouira 1 spots
- Sidi Kaouki 2 spots
Safi & Oualidia · best October to March
A world-class right and quiet beaches on the road north
| Months | Verdict | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Nov-Feb | Prime | Big north-west swells, Safi's point at its best |
| Oct, Mar-Apr | Good | Smaller swells; beaches and Oualidia good |
| May-Sep | Quiet | Small and windy, busy beaches in summer |
Avoid: Don't paddle out at Safi on a big day unless you have serious experience in hollow waves over rock.
Booking: Oualidia gets busy with Moroccan families in July and August and on weekends.
- Safi 2 spots
- Oualidia & El Jadida 2 spots
Casablanca & Rabat · best October to March
City surf on the coast between the two biggest cities
| Months | Verdict | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Oct-Mar | Good | North-west swells and the cleanest conditions |
| Apr-May, Sep | Shoulder | Smaller and more variable |
| Jun-Aug | Quiet | Small surf and busy city beaches |
Avoid: Don't leave anything in parked cars at the city beaches.
Booking: Not usually needed, except during big events in Casablanca or Rabat.
- Casablanca 2 spots
- Rabat coast 2 spots
Aglou & Sidi Ifni · best October to March
Empty beaches and fishing villages south of Agadir
| Months | Verdict | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Oct-Mar | Prime | The same swells as Taghazout, with almost nobody out |
| Apr-May, Sep | Good | Smaller, warmer and still quiet |
| Jun-Aug | Quiet | Small, windy and hot inland |
Avoid: Don't count on renting a board here. Bring your own.
Booking: Rarely needed, though Mirleft and Sidi Ifni have only a few places to stay.
- Tifnit & Aglou 3 spots
- Sidi Ifni 1 spots
Best time to surf Morocco as a beginner
15 of the 31 spots we map in Morocco suit beginners. Here are ten of them, with the months they work best:
- Panoramas, Taghazout · best October to March
- Banana Point, Tamraght & Aourir · best October to March
- Banana Beach, Tamraght & Aourir · best year-round
- Devil's Rock, Tamraght & Aourir · best year-round
- Tamraght Beach, Tamraght & Aourir · best year-round
- Tamri, Boilers & Tamri · best year-round
- Imsouane Bay, Imsouane · best October to April
- Essaouira Beach, Essaouira · best October to April
- Sidi Kaouki, Sidi Kaouki · best October to April
- Lalla Fatna, Safi · best year-round
Morocco surf season: common questions
When is the best time to surf Morocco?
The main surf season in Morocco runs October to March. The most consistent months for waves are October to February. It changes by region: Taghazout & Imsouane, October to March; Essaouira, October to April; Safi & Oualidia, October to March; Casablanca & Rabat, October to March; Aglou & Sidi Ifni, October to March.
What is the worst time to surf Morocco?
The quietest months for surf are June to August, with smaller and less reliable swell. Some regions still work then, so check the region by region breakdown.
When should beginners surf Morocco?
15 of the 31 spots we map are beginner friendly, and their seasons vary. For example Panoramas (October to March), Banana Point (October to March) and Banana Beach (year-round).
How far ahead should I book a surf trip to Morocco?
It depends on the region. For Taghazout & Imsouane: Book surf houses ahead for Christmas, New Year and February half-term in Europe, when Taghazout fills up.
Where to surf by month
January · February · March · April · May · June · July · August · September · October · November · December
Last updated October 2026. Seasons, costs and conditions change, so check the details before you book.
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