Morocco's surf village runs a year-round social scene around its surf camps, bonfire circles, and the weekly souk, with banana beach and Anchor Point providing the waves.
Year-round. The best swell and the largest backpacker crowd coincide November to February.
Taghazout is a fishing village of 5,000 people on Morocco's Atlantic coast, 80km north of Agadir. The village sits on a headland above the beach with a natural harbour at the northern end. Anchor Point, 300m north of the village, is one of the best right-hand point breaks in Africa: a long, predictable wave that works from October to March with consistent Atlantic swells. Hash Point (also called Panorama Point) is directly below the village and is more suitable for intermediate surfers. Paradise Valley, a gorge 20km inland, has natural pools for non-surf days.
Taghazout is a Muslim fishing village: there is no alcohol available in the village itself. The social scene runs on mint tea, the communal terrace, and the surf camp structure. Surf camps — Surf Berbere, Taghazout Surf, and a dozen others — are the social infrastructure: shared dinners at long tables, bonfire circles on the beach, and evening yoga or film nights. This is different from the bar-circuit model of most backpacker destinations and is worth understanding before arriving. Some surf camps serve wine with dinner; standalone bars with alcohol are in Agadir (30 minutes by taxi). The social intensity on the surf camps' terraces in winter is entirely comparable to a bar in terms of meeting people: just with mint tea.
Party hostels within reach of Taghazout's main celebrations. Ranked by guest rating.
Day-by-day breakdown
Anchor Point: paddle out from the beach at the northern end of the village. Best at 2-4ft, offshore winds, incoming tide. Hash Point is directly below the village and more accessible: better for beginners. Surf lesson packages at surf camps cost MAD 250-400 (£20-33) for a 2-hour group session including board hire. The swell is most consistent October to March; summer has smaller and less predictable waves.
Surf camp terraces are the primary social venue from sunset onwards. Shared dinners at most camps include Moroccan tagines, couscous, and fresh fish at MAD 60-100 per person (£5-8.30). The weekly souk (market) in Aourir (4km south) runs on Thursdays: produce, spices, and local food stalls at Moroccan prices. Beach bonfires are informal: some camps organise them, others are spontaneous between guests.