Taghazout On A Shoestring – The Broke Surfer’s Dream

Ten surfboards, eight mates, two cars and a tiny budget- a surprisingly effective combination for our ultimate Moroccan winter surf trip.

Our Morocco surfing holiday destination itself was Taghazout, a tiny surf-town put on the map by its close proximity to endless surf breaks which never fail to deliver. Within a 30 minute drive you will find spots for all ranges of ability. Sandbar, point and reef breaks are all within easy distance of Taghazout, many of them walkable. As a somewhat motley crew of different abilities, this suited us perfectly. On any given day, half of us could be surfing a gentle beach break at Panorama Point whilst the others jumped off the rocks at Hash Point to tackle the bigger waves.

Getting there

£80 returns flights from London to Agadir plus £180 per car got us down to Taghazout pretty smoothly. We made a quick beer and food run en-route at Agadir Carrefour as Taghazout is a dry town. Most surf hostels provide transfers from the airport and to different breaks, but for us, our two dusty surf-mobiles were a must.

Where to stay

Taghazout is packed with surf hostels and cheap apartment lets. Location Taghazout sorted us out with our sea-view apartment overlooking Hash Point for £75 per week each. Sunset beers on a balcony whilst watching surfers tackle 6ft+ waves below was a pretty unbeatable combination. Unfortunately we found out the hard way that our area had been experiencing sewage problems leading to a fair few unpleasant smells, so it is important to check reviews before booking.

A place in the sun

The Moroccan weather was the ultimate treat after the UK winter, with December temperatures averaging around 17C. It’s important to respect the local culture and cover up any shoulders, knees or cleavage if you’re a girl, although once the sun sets, it can get surprisingly cold so you’ll be thankful for that extra layer. Wetsuits are a must all year round as the Atlantic is chilly; a 4,3 is enough if you’re bringing your own.

Taghazout

The tiny town itself is the epitome of a surfer town- littered with surf hostels, rental shops, and restaurants all serving carb heavy meals to satisfy that post-surf hunger. Expect simple but hearty fare and most tajines served with a side of chips. You can get a decent meal plus a drink for around 50 dirhams – £4. Pop in to ‘Dar Josephine’ for delicious traditional Moroccan food with a French twist, great for treating yourself after a long day in the water. Failing that, a visit to ‘Sunset Burger’ always goes down a treat. The vibe of the whole place couldn’t get more relaxed, making it the perfect base for a week of chilled surfing.

As great as Taghazout is, the water there can cause some issues. Be careful to only drink bottled water and try not to swallow too much seawater when you bail. It’s normal to get a dodgy belly when you’re there so stock up on anything you think you may need if the situation arises. That being said, the quality of the waves around more than makes up for one day out of action.

Sound good to you? Take a look at this Morocco surfing holiday package for just £390 here

8 days adventure tour of Morocco from £269

By Elen Gibbons