Surfing Taghazout: Every Break & the History

History · all the breaks · best season · travel — last updated June 2026

Taghazout is Morocco's surf capital and one of the great surf towns of Africa. A short drive north of Agadir, this former Berber fishing village sits on a big Atlantic bend where rugged headlands fire off some of the longest, most rippable right-hand point breaks on the continent — Anchor Point chief among them — alongside gentle, sandy beaches perfect for first-timers. Add warm winters, cheap living, mint tea on every rooftop and a whole coast of waves within a 30-minute drive, and you have one of the best-value surf trips going.

A short history of Taghazout

For centuries Taghazout was a small Amazigh (Berber) fishing village, its name often traced to a Berber word linked to fishing nets. Life ran on two things: the sea, and the argan trees in the dry hills behind town (the same trees whose nuts produce Morocco's famous argan oil, and where goats famously climb to graze).

That quiet changed in the late 1960s, when Taghazout landed on the overland "hippie trail" running from Europe toward India. Travellers drifted in, fell for the place, and stayed — romanticising the area in stories that still tie the nearby Paradise Valley to the likes of Jimi Hendrix. Among those early arrivals were the first surfers, who looked out at the points peeling off the headlands and understood exactly what they were seeing. Word spread slowly through the surf world for decades.

From the 1990s the trickle became a boom. Surf camps, hostels and yoga retreats multiplied, and the economy tipped from fishing to tourism. Rapid, under-regulated growth brought real problems — water-quality issues in particular — but a clean-up effort led in part by local surf camps has largely turned that around. Today, alongside the modern Taghazout Bay resort development just down the coast, "Tag" is a laid-back hub of surf shacks, vegan cafés and tagine kitchens that still keeps a thread of its old Berber character.

Best time to surf Taghazout

Season matters more here than almost anywhere. Winter (roughly November–March) is the prime window: strong N–NW Atlantic groundswell powers up the points, mornings are often offshore, and 6–12 ft days are common around Christmas. Summer (April–September) is the low season — strong N winds off the Sahara chop things up — but there's still plenty of gentle whitewater for beginners around the southern beaches.

The breaks — north to south

Taghazout's appeal is variety: world-class points for experts, forgiving beaches for beginners, and everything between, mostly within a short drive. Morocco is the land of the right-hander, so regular-footers are spoiled. Here's the lineup, running north to south.

Tamri

About 25 minutes north of town, Tamri is an exposed beach break that grabs more swell than anywhere else around — the place to find a wave when everything else is small, and a powerful, shifting beach break when it's big.

Boilers

The farthest north of the main breaks, named for the rusting ship's boiler beside the take-off (and the "boils" of air escaping the reef). Tucked in a wind channel beneath the Atlas foothills, it's rarely onshore — clean 6–10 ft right-handers with a fast, committing take-off near the wreck. Morocco's barrel hunters love it.

Killer Point (Killers)

The heaviest, most pitching point in the region, named after the orcas that occasionally pass offshore. It works even on smaller N–NW swells and packs a punch; the paddle-out alone can take 20 minutes on the biggest days. A fast, steep, hollow right (with a quick left option) that demands commitment and speed.

La Source

Named for the freshwater spring nearby. A forgiving rock-reef break that, at mid tide on a NW swell with offshore easterlies, throws up rippable A-frames in both directions. Fun and more approachable than its neighbours when it's not too big.

Mysteries (Mystery Point)

Sitting between Anchor Point and Killers over a mixed reef-and-sand bottom. On big NW swells it's one of the most technical take-offs around — slabby and sucking — but the shoulder that follows opens up for big, drawn-out carves. Much friendlier when small.

Anchor Point (Anchors)

The headline act and one of the most famous right-hand points in Africa. A long, peeling wall reels off a rocky headland — over a kilometre on the right day — getting hollow and fast off the top of the point. Best up to 10–12 ft, which is regular in winter, and forgivingly sand-bottomed despite the rocks. This is the wave that put Taghazout on the map.

Hash Point

The de facto village break, right in front of town — and, as the name (from the hippie days) suggests, the laid-back option for those who couldn't be bothered with the walk to Anchor Point. A fattish, playful, semi-mellow right that's perfect for improvers stepping up from the beaches, with nice sections on bigger days.

Panorama (Panoramas)

Just south of town on Panorama Beach — technically the inside section of the Anchor Point setup, though they rarely connect. Mellow right shoulders that refract into the bay; fun and sectiony on mid-sized NW pulses, but straight W swells close it out.

Devil's Rock

On the long beach south of town toward Tamraght. Despite the ominous name it's easy-going — a slow, sand-bottomed beach break with good winter A-frames and long 50–100 m rides when you find the pocket.

Banana Point (Banana Beach)

The beginner mecca, near Tamraght and about 20 minutes from Agadir. A mellow, often mushy right-hand point rolling into soft, sandy beach peaks — ringed by surf schools. It gets crowded precisely because it's so friendly.

The K-beaches & Anza (Agadir side)

Heading toward Agadir you'll find a string of sandy beach breaks — the "K" spots named for kilometre markers on the coast road (K11, K12, K17 and others), plus Anza Beach near the city. Sandbanks that hold overhead swell yet offer mellow whitewater for learning — much like Tamraght.

Imsouane — worth the drive

About an hour or so north, the fishing village of Imsouane is home to "The Bay" (Cathedral Point) — a famously long, gentle right that can peel for hundreds of metres, one of the longest rides in Morocco and a dream wave for longboarders and improvers. There's a punchier setup by the harbour for experienced surfers, too. A classic day trip from Taghazout.

Which board to bring

For winter point power — Anchor, Killers, Boilers — a shortboard (plus a step-up for the bigger days) is the call. The long walls at Anchor Point and Imsouane are also a joy on a mid-length or longboard when conditions are clean. Beginners and improvers want a funboard or longboard for Banana, Devil's Rock and the K-beaches. If you're packing one board for a mixed winter trip, a sturdy shortboard is most versatile here. The finder matches spots to your board if you want to check before you fly.

Getting there & where to stay

Fly into Agadir (AGA) — about a 30-minute drive south of Taghazout; a pre-booked transfer is cheap and saves hassle. Marrakech (RAK) is the bigger-airport alternative, roughly three hours away. Base yourself in Taghazout itself for instant access to the points, or in Tamraght (15 minutes south) if you're learning — it's more open and beginner-focused. The town runs the full range from cheap surf hostels to boutique guesthouses and the resorts of Taghazout Bay.

Beyond the surf

Rest days are easy here. Paradise Valley — a gorge of carved pools in the foothills of the Atlas — is a short trip inland for hiking and wild swimming. Taghazout is also a yoga-retreat hub, and the souks and beaches of Agadir, plus the blue-and-white port town of Essaouira further north, make for good detours.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to surf Taghazout?

Winter, roughly November to March, is the prime season — strong N–NW Atlantic swell lights up the points with offshore mornings and 6–12 ft days. Summer is windier and smaller, suiting beginners on the southern beach breaks.

Is Taghazout good for beginners?

Yes. While the famous points (Anchor Point, Killers) are for experienced surfers, the beaches south of town — Banana Point, Devil's Rock and the K-beaches around Tamraght — are gentle, sandy and full of surf schools, ideal for learning.

What is the most famous wave in Taghazout?

Anchor Point — a long, peeling right-hand point break off a rocky headland that can run over a kilometre on the right swell. It's one of the best-known waves in Africa.

Do I need a wetsuit in Taghazout?

Yes. Water sits around 17–22°C through the year. A 3/2 wetsuit covers most of it; bring a 4/3 for cold winter mornings.

How do I get to Taghazout?

Fly into Agadir (AGA), about 30 minutes south by car or transfer. Marrakech (RAK) is the larger alternative airport, around three hours away.

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