Surfing, Wind Surfing, & Kite Surfing in Morocco
15/12/06 18:25 |
Morocco Articles
This winter if you are thinking about an exotic
location to go surfing, but simply cannot afford
Bali, Australia, Hawaii, or the coasts off South
America, Morocco might be exactly what the surf
doctor ordered. Along Morocco’s thousands of
kilometers of coastline, you will be sure to find a
spot, whether you’re a novice or on par with Kelly
Slater.
The best times to surf
Morocco are during the winter months. While
the water is of course colder, the swells come
through from November until March where you’ll
find point breaks, especially near Agadir. For
those more adventurous, Anchor Point, just north
of the city, offers nice swells from December
through February.
Web forums and other websites discuss both the positive and negative aspects of surfing in Morocco. Journey Beyond Travel a website dedicated to Morocco travel, lists the positive and negative points about surfing in North Africa’s most accessible nation.
The positive points were:
The negative points were :
Just south of Agadir, U.S. servicemen taught the local population about surfing, and now every adolescents’ bedroom walls are covered with surf magazine cut-outs. Surf camps and shops align the area offering overlooking some of the best and most consistent waves. The most popular location is Taghazoute, a classic, one-lane town alive because of surfing. Due to its popularity, the beach does get a bit more crowded with foreigners and Moroccans alike than others. But, for a surfer, it is indeed a Mecca due to several of its world-class breaks.
If you would like to try the newest fad of kite surfing or the aged art of wind surfing, head to the beaches of Essaouira. In Essaouira and Sidi Kaoki the wind blows its strongest currents over what has been dubbed the wind capital of Africa. Here, strewn along the beaches’ upper sand banks are numerous foreign and local companies who are willing to teach you their art. On the downside, prices for learning now compete with those of Europe due to this outside influence. Prices in Essaouira are now given in Euros instead of the Moroccan Dirham, and you are charged by the hour or by the day. However, it still might be cheaper than taking lessons in Tarifa, Spain. On the up side, the local Moroccan instructors are now internationally certified through foreign companies, and the places they work for are always upgrading their material; not to mention the cheaper cost of living in Morocco compared to Europe.
If you are planning on spending a few days near Rabat, north of Casablanca, then visit the Oudayas Surf Club, near the Kasbah des Oudayas. The current King Mohammed VI is its president and in his younger days would frequent the area to surf and jet ski. While the water in the area isn’t the cleanest, the waves are spectacular. There are plenty of beaches close to Rabat that are also surfing hot spots. Head south of Rabat to the beaches of Oued Cherrat or Skhirat. Or, head north to Mehdia or Nations beach near Kenitra.
Best Beaches for Surfing :
Web forums and other websites discuss both the positive and negative aspects of surfing in Morocco. Journey Beyond Travel a website dedicated to Morocco travel, lists the positive and negative points about surfing in North Africa’s most accessible nation.
The positive points were:
- uncrowded beaches
- good weather
- stellar point breaks
- plenty of hidden beaches
- consistent waves
- cheap hotels and food
- friendly locals
The negative points were :
- limited local travel options
- getting sick from the food
- minor hassle & theft
Just south of Agadir, U.S. servicemen taught the local population about surfing, and now every adolescents’ bedroom walls are covered with surf magazine cut-outs. Surf camps and shops align the area offering overlooking some of the best and most consistent waves. The most popular location is Taghazoute, a classic, one-lane town alive because of surfing. Due to its popularity, the beach does get a bit more crowded with foreigners and Moroccans alike than others. But, for a surfer, it is indeed a Mecca due to several of its world-class breaks.
If you would like to try the newest fad of kite surfing or the aged art of wind surfing, head to the beaches of Essaouira. In Essaouira and Sidi Kaoki the wind blows its strongest currents over what has been dubbed the wind capital of Africa. Here, strewn along the beaches’ upper sand banks are numerous foreign and local companies who are willing to teach you their art. On the downside, prices for learning now compete with those of Europe due to this outside influence. Prices in Essaouira are now given in Euros instead of the Moroccan Dirham, and you are charged by the hour or by the day. However, it still might be cheaper than taking lessons in Tarifa, Spain. On the up side, the local Moroccan instructors are now internationally certified through foreign companies, and the places they work for are always upgrading their material; not to mention the cheaper cost of living in Morocco compared to Europe.
If you are planning on spending a few days near Rabat, north of Casablanca, then visit the Oudayas Surf Club, near the Kasbah des Oudayas. The current King Mohammed VI is its president and in his younger days would frequent the area to surf and jet ski. While the water in the area isn’t the cleanest, the waves are spectacular. There are plenty of beaches close to Rabat that are also surfing hot spots. Head south of Rabat to the beaches of Oued Cherrat or Skhirat. Or, head north to Mehdia or Nations beach near Kenitra.
Best Beaches for Surfing :
- Taghazoute
- Agadir
- Mirleft
- Sidi Ifni
- Rabat
- Kenitra
- Moulay Bousselham
- Asilah
- Essaouira & Walidia (wind & kite
surfing)
This Morocco surfing report brought to you by the Morocco News team at Journey Beyond Travel.
