Surf or learn to surf
The village surf schools offer lessons and board rental for every level. Beginners pick the sandy beaches, experienced surfers head for the point breaks.
Excursion · Ocean
Taghazout
Taghazout, the surf village 20 km from the riad
Blue fishing boats, Atlantic swell and a relaxed pace: the perfect ocean day out from Riad Asmaa.
20.5 km
Distance from the riad
October to April
Surf season
Beginners to experts
Levels
Fishing, surf and yoga
Feel
Taghazout used to be a simple Berber fishing village. Today it is Morocco's surf capital, yet it has kept its blue boats on the beach and its small-scale lanes. From Riad Asmaa it is a 20.5 km drive.
It makes a great counterpoint to quiet days at the riad: a morning on the beach or in the water, a fish lunch facing the ocean, then back to the High Atlas foothills for the pool and dinner.
What to do in Taghazout
The harbour and the blue boats
Fishermen come back in the morning and the catch is sold fresh the same day. The little harbour is still the authentic heart of the village.
Yoga and relaxation
Surf and yoga go hand in hand here: many houses run day sessions, and hammams help you recover from the sea.
The long beaches
Just before Taghazout, the long Imourane beach is calmer and makes a pleasant walk along the water.
Sunset
Anchor Point, west of the village, has a fine view over the Atlantic at the end of the day.
When to go to Taghazout
The right time depends on what you are after: waves, swimming or quiet.
Surf
October to April
The most consistent swells arrive from November to March.
Swimming
June to October
The water is then above 20 °C.
Water temperature
17 to 22 °C
Around 17 °C in February and 22 °C in August.
Quieter months
April, May, September
Between seasons, the village is calmer.
Excursion · Ocean
Taghazout's waves
A few pointers for surfers, from the most accessible to the most demanding.
Hash Point
Accessible
In the centre of the village, a mellow wave that is easy to reach.
Panoramas
Beginners and intermediates
Sandy bottom and less swell than Anchor Point: a good place to progress.
Anchor Point
Experienced
A famous right-hand point break, for experienced surfers only.
How to get to Taghazout
From Riad Asmaa, Taghazout is 20.5 km away: allow about half an hour by car.
From Agadir, the village lies 19 km to the north. The Alsa city bus (about an hour) leaves from the centre, and shared grand taxis run the route: agree the price before you get in.
Simplest for our guests: we arrange the trip with a licensed tourist transport agency, with an optional guide.
Where to eat and drink
The village is known for its fish, sold fresh the same day. Terrace restaurants look straight onto the ocean, so lunch is almost with your feet in the sand.
Alcohol is not sold in the village shops. A few licensed restaurants and bars serve it on the premises. Evenings stay calm: people come mostly for the terraces facing the sea.
Markets and crafts
The souk of Aourir, nicknamed the "Banana Village", is the closest to Taghazout and one of the liveliest in the area. You will find fruit, vegetables, spices, pottery and crafts.
For a very large market, Agadir's Souk El Had has thousands of stalls. Argan oil is a typical souvenir of the region.
Taghazout or Agadir?
Agadir is a large seaside resort, rebuilt after the 1960 earthquake, with its long bay, hotels and hilltop kasbah. Taghazout is a small fishing village turned towards surf, and far more laid-back.
From Riad Asmaa you can do both: a day in the city, a day by the ocean, then the calm of the High Atlas foothills to sleep.
Around Taghazout
A few ideas to extend the day.
Imourane
A long beach north of Agadir, just before Taghazout, calmer than the village.
Tamraght
The neighbouring village, linked to Taghazout by a walk along the coast.
Aourir
The "Banana Village": its souk and crafts are close by.
Paradise Valley
A trip inland, in the High Atlas foothills, for a day in nature.
See the excursionTaghazout in pictures
Planning your day
- Surf is at its best from October to April, with the finest swells from November to March.
- If you come back to the riad for dinner, order your meals the day before: they are prepared to order.
- We can arrange the trip with a licensed tourist transport agency, with an optional guide. Mention it in your booking request.
- Bring dirhams in cash for small shops and markets.
- On rocky beaches, water shoes are useful.
- Away from the beach, dress modestly in the village.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Taghazout from Riad Asmaa?
20.5 km, about half an hour by car. Taghazout is a village on the Atlantic coast, north of Agadir.
How do I get from Agadir to Taghazout?
Taghazout is 19 km north of Agadir. You can take the Alsa city bus (about an hour), a grand taxi, or a transfer arranged by the riad.
When is the best time to surf in Taghazout?
From October to April, with the most consistent swell from November to March.
When can you swim in Taghazout?
From June to October, when the water is above 20 °C. The rest of the year the ocean is cooler, around 17 °C in February.
Can beginners learn to surf in Taghazout?
Yes. The village has many surf schools, and sandy beaches such as Panoramas suit beginners.
Can you find alcohol in Taghazout?
Not in the village shops. A few licensed restaurants and bars serve it on the premises.
Is one day enough to visit Taghazout?
Yes. Half a day to a day covers the village, the beach and a lunch. Surfers often stay several days.
Is Taghazout worth visiting?
Yes, for its atmosphere: a former fishing village with blue boats, surf and yoga, far from the feel of a big resort like Agadir.
Can Riad Asmaa arrange the trip?
Yes, with a licensed tourist transport agency and an optional guide. Mention it in your booking request.
Photo credits : Wikimedia Commons. Hamza Izourane (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Heather Cowper from Bristol, UK (CC BY 2.0) · Rachid12349876 (CC BY-SA 4.0) · User: (WT-shared) Radouane at wts wikivoyage (Public domain) · Yobennane (CC BY-SA 4.0) · 瑞丽江的河水 (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Bisel91 (CC0) · Ulises Icardi (CC BY-SA 4.0)