11 Beaches in Morocco for Surfers and Professional Beach Bums
Who knew that the beaches in Morocco were so cool and didn’t tell me!?
For this professional beach bum right here (and wannabe surfer), I was stoked to check them out!
Sandy shores, insane rollers, the longest right-hand break, barely visited shores, a beautiful arch, and more—what doesn’t Morocco’s beaches have!?
After spending nearly three months in the country, mostly exploring the coast, here are some of Morocco’s best beaches!
Best Beaches in Morocco
1. Essaouira (Potentially the Most Famous Beach Town in Morocco!)
First things first, how the F do you pronounce this place? We called it an array of different names, including “Izzura” (don’t ask why, Garrett started it) but it’s more like “Essuwera.”
Now that we got that out of the way, why is Essaouira considered one of the best beaches in Morocco? Especially when it’s also known as Morocco’s “windy city.” Well, it’s that wind that attracts surfers, as well as kite and windsurfers from around the world to surf and bop around its tides.
For my fellow beach bums, while the beach may look inviting, the winds here are no joke. You may not be able to put a towel down and there’s a strong possibility you’ll go home as a piece of sandpaper.
When you’re not playing in the waves or scratching sand out of your hair, meander the 18th-century medina which is a well-preserved, European-influenced, fortified seaport town. Chock full of Moroccan shops holding goods like jellabas, rugs, and tea sets, you will doubtfully go home empty-handed.
The best views of Essaouira’s medina can be seen from Skala du Port. Surrounded by the stench of fish from the nearby fish market and the photogenic and cute blue boats, it’s Essaouira’s coastal fort tower.
While everything you’ll find online states the hours are from 9-5:30, they actually closed at 5 while we were there. Don’t miss out on the views from here! (Entrance is 10 MAD)
For a cheap, yet quick and filling bit to eat, head to Chez Miloud. Get yourself some mint tea (of course!), traditional harira soup, and a msemen, which is essentially a crepe with a filling (cheese, honey, plain, Nutella…). There’s a reason why there’s always a line at this place.
Where to Stay in Essaouira
If you’re on a budget, Hôtel Riad Gnaoua is a good spot and for just a bit more Jack’s Apartments & Suites is also highly recommended.
2. Sidi Kaouki
A mere 30 minutes away from Essaouira in driving time but light years away from the bustle of the coastal city, is the sleepy surf spot, Sidi Kaouki.
How does one even stumble on a place like this? Past argan trees, small villages, and a dirt road if you take the wrong one like we did, Sidi Kaouki is the hidden surf spot you may be looking for, and for that reason, perhaps one of the best beaches in Morocco for some solitude.
A few thatched umbrellas dotting the beach, a surf shop or two, a few restaurants, and auberges, and that’s about it.
If peace and seclusion, uncrowded surf, and the easy carefree life have been calling your name, then head here. Jimi Hendrix did, maybe he was on to something?
Like its neighbor, the wind doesn’t let up much around here.
How to get to Sidi Kaouki from Essaouira:
Well, definitely don’t drive on P2201 to get here like we did. Instead, take N1 all the way to P2216. It’s a narrow road, but much better than the rocky dirt road we initially took.
If you’re not road tripping, you can also take the line 2 bus for less than 10 MAD from Bab Doukkala in Essaouira.
Where to Stay in Sidi Kaouki
Villa Soleil is highly recommended, well located, and gets you some good bang for your buck!
3. Imsouane (Incredible Surfing Beach in Morocco)
This is one of the best beaches in Morocco for the perfect right break surf! In fact, it’s the longest wave in the entire country—riding out for over two minutes, if you can believe it.
This one is probably my favorite surf town in Morocco (oops, sorry Taghazout, I still love you too)! The waves were just so clean and easy, and because it’s SO long, it’s almost impossible to not find a spot for you to play in without 100 others.
The right break here is seriously what surf dreams are made of. The Bay features large barrels that come rolling in and the pros swerve and swish with ease on the wall of water riding for as long as they can. Then as the waves start to crash the intermediate and beginners get to play and catch what they can.
Which for me, was still the whitewash with the occasional accidental green wave which would usually eat me alive. It was still so much fun!
For the more advanced, The Cathedral is a fast and peaky reef break just down the road from The Bay.
We had so much fun, we’ve vowed to come back and chill and surf in Imsouane again one day.
For a truly epic viewpoint and to see that right break go all the way down, head here on your way in or out of Imsouane.
For board rentals, you can head to Reef Point Surf Shop and see if Amed will give you a board and suit for the day at 80MAD as he usually charges 100MAD (just smile and ask nicely but don’t push).
The town here is totally walkable and having a car isn’t necessary. Do note there’s no ATM in Imsouane! The nearest one is about 20 minutes away.
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Where to Stay in Imsouane
If you’re on a budget, Auberge Dar Naima Imsouane is a good spot.
4. Taghazout (My Fav Beach in Morocco!)
I like to think of Taghazout as one of my many homes as I spent five weeks here.
What a little charmer you are Tagazhout! And certainly known as one of the best beaches in Morocco for its surf. With several surf locations within a few minutes and many more within a 20 minute or less drive, Taghazout is the ultimate spot to base yourself for surfing.
While you may want to pop by for a wander or a nice beach bumming holiday, Taghazout is a surf spot through and through. There isn’t too much else to do here.
Beach bumming is possible, usually at Panorama beach but you’ll be surrounded by wetsuit-donning surf addicts, not that that is a problem though.
I’ll leave my thoughts on Taghazout at this because if you’re interested in visiting and surfing here, you’ll be happy to know I have an entire post on what Taghazout is like.
Where to Stay in Taghazout
If you’re looking for a special place, Surf&Sound Hotel is the spot! if you’re on a budget head to West Coast Surf House.
5. Tamraght
Tamraght is Taghazout’s neighbor. if you stay in Taghazout, you’ll likely find yourself going to Tamraght for two main reasons.
Either you’ll be surfing at the easy rolling waves of Banana Point, or you’ll be there to use the ATM since Taghazout doesn’t have one.
Either way, Tamraght is a cool spot to hang out for the day if you’re up for exploring another cute coastal town in Morocco. While it’s certainly bigger in terms of having actual streets, unlike Tagahzzout’s little main road with dusty alleys, there isn’t too much to do here either. Except for chill, beach bum, and surf, of course.
You may also want to take a trip to Devil’s Rock for a nice viewpoint of Tamraght and to watch the surfers.
Where to Stay in Tamraght
If you’re on a budget, Original Surf Morocco Hostel is a good spot, and for just a bit more, your own apartment!
6. Mirleft
We stumbled on this place and were instantly enchanted with Mirleft!
While the surf conditions weren’t on our side during our visit to Mirleft, the best spots to get your surf on are Marabout, Coquillage, and Plage Sauvage. Aftas Beach, which is right outside of town, is a sheltered little bay perfect for beach bumming and doing a whole lot of nothing.
However, Marabout Beach is perhaps the most beautiful and dramatic due to a massive rock with a mini arch in it that sits in the middle of the bay. We stared in awe and played on this beach for what felt like most of the day.
On a hill just behind Marabout, you’ll see an abandoned building, which is one of my favorite things to find! And this was a fabulous discovery. I’ll let the picture do the talking and I won’t say how long we spent here… (far too long.) Even with the haze, this place was soo cool.
For sunset, Aftas beach provides some of the best views but you could also watch it from the old Spanish fort on top of the hill. The entrance is pretty impressive but it gets much more ruinous as you walk in.
Unfortunately, there’s a “guide” here whose job is to annoy TF out of you and then expect a tip for doing so. It kind of ruined the experience here a bit.
He only spoke French but didn’t get the universal memo on taking a hint and understanding the “leave me the F alone motions” and simply wouldn’t leave me alone. I took my pictures a left. Still worth it.
Where to Stay in Mirleft
If you’re on a budget, Gite Le Nomade is a good spot and for just a bit more Villa Sable de Mirleft is also highly recommended.
7. Legzira (The Most Unique Beach in Morocco!)
Here’s the real stunner of the bunch. Out of the best beaches in Morocco, this one is probably the most beautiful simply because of its unique red rock and the main feature, a massive arch.
Unfortunately, it used to be twice a beautiful as it showed off two arches, however, one fell in 2016, and now, a singular arch stands, hopefully not to fall into the same fate as the last one.
Taking Route Legzira (street name) towards the coast, you’ll find some paid parking spots (10MAD) in front of some buildings. Walk down the stairs and you’ll be greeted by the crashing waves and sand between your toes immediately. The waves are conveniently right there for your surfing fix.
The surf is straight ahead and the massive arch is just to the left. Out of all the beaches here in Morocco, I vote Legzira as the cleanest. All countries have their issues with litter and Morocco is no different but the beach here was looking good.
While here, it would be a crying shame to miss out on a fish tagine! LePetit Pecheur cooked up a divine dish for two with a little fishy just caught earlier that day.
Where to Stay in Legzira
If you’re on a budget, Auberge Sable D’Or is a good spot.
8. Agadir Beach
Agadir Beach is one of the most famous beaches in Morocco. The city of Morocco has an enormous coastline and beautiful azure waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The beach has white-golden sand with a backdrop of beautiful palm trees.
The perfect temperature makes this a surfers’ favorite. This is also an ideal place for sunbathing or any sort of water sports if you are a fan of adventure. The beach also has a long promenade where you could take a nice walk while enjoying the sunset, or you could ride a bike instead.
Agadir Beach also offers a wide range of restaurants and cafes where you could grab a bite or two. If you are looking for something fancy, this area also has some of the best seaside resorts.
While you are in Agadir, you should definitely try some traditional Moroccan food.
I recommend trying it out in some local restaurants as they offer the most authentic taste. You should try couscous, which is a traditional dish, and sardines which is a must-try when in the coastal region of Morocco. After a long day at the beach, Sardines are the best thing to savor, along with some cold beer.
La Scala is one restaurant that serves authentic Moroccan food, and you must try couscous here. Besides this, Grillade Chowayat Annahda is another great place to visit if you are looking to have a traditional meal.
One useful tip to keep in mind while traveling to Agadir is to keep some cash handy. This will make your trip easy, and you will be able to tip people well, as tipping is a part of Moroccan culture.
Overall, Agadir is a great beach in Morocco for families and individuals seeking a relaxed vacation. Don’t forget—While you are in Morocco, you should visit a Morocco souk! You can visit the Marrakech souk, the biggest market in Marrakech, for an enthralling experience, although Agadir has some great ones too, like Souk El Had.
Recommended by Lavina D’souza from continenthop.com
Editors note: Take a cool day trip to Paradise Valley from Agadir! Book your trip here.
Where to Stay in Agadir
Villa du Souss is a great midrange option and Hotel Kamal is more for those on a budget.
9. Ain Diab Beach, Casablanca
There are lots of places to visit in Casablanca, with the imposing Mosque Hassan II at the top of most itineraries. Yet once you’ve ticked this off your list, the beach beckons. You might not expect to find golden sandy shores in the heart of a bustling city, but Ain Diab Beach offers just that! This is the most popular public beach in Casablanca, and tourists and locals come here to stroll, sunbathe, and take in the views.
Rent a sun lounger, ride a camel into the sunset, or enjoy a walk along the sand between the rocky cliffs – the choice is yours. It is possible to swim here at Ain Diab, but the waters can be cold and are better suited to surfing. There are lifeguards on duty during the peak season.
Ain Diab is a couple of kilometers from the city center, which means it’s accessible and also cleaner than those nearer the mosque. You can get there on foot or by using the city tram. You’ll find plenty of restaurants and bars around if you want to make a day of it. When it comes to eating out, try Basmane for traditional cuisine in a lavish Moroccan setting.
Recommended by Heather from Conversant Traveller
Where to Stay in Ain Diab Beach
Grab your own lux apartment right on the beach or splash out a bit more at Anfa Place.
10. El Jadida Beach
The ancient port city of El Jadida on the north coast of Morocco is a bit off the beaten tourist trail, which is precisely the reason to visit. Once you’ve explored the old town, checked out the underground Cistern and seen the fortress, it’s time to hit the beach.
One of the best things about El Jadida Beach is that it never gets too crowded. Easily accessible on foot from the historic center, this is a great spot for a wander along the sand where you can enjoy views of the city from a different angle.
Swimming and sunbathing are the most popular pastimes – there’s a lifeguard here in peak periods. You can rent sun loungers and parasols if you wish, and there are cafes and toilets nearby too.
After spending the day at the beach, head into the medina for dinner. The restaurant at the Hotel L’Iglesia in El Jadida is a good choice, serving fresh seafood and local Moroccan cuisine in the atmospheric setting of a former Catholic church. You can sit outside on the dining terrace by the bell tower on a sunny day. It’s just a 10-minute walk from the beach.
Recommended by Heather from Conversant Traveller
Where to Stay in El Jadida
Stay at Maison d’hôtes familiale “Dar Aboulanwar” if you’re on a budget, or treat yourself at Hotel L’Inglesia.
11. Plage Municipale, Tangier
Tangier is a modern, almost European-looking city on the shores of the Atlantic City in the North of Morocco. The city is divided between the new Ville, which has modern architecture and large boulevards, and the old part, where the Medina, with its narrow alleyways and souks, is.
The main beach in Tangier is the Plage Municipale, which is very popular with locals. The beach is sandy, with fine, golden sand, and the water is crystal clear, though quite cold for swimming. On a clear day, you can spot the mountains from Spain in the distance.
Plage Municipale is an urban beach, which means that on the other side, there are high rises with plenty of places for shopping or dining. The beach has basic facilities such as toilets, cafes, and lifeguards during the peak season. Because the beach is 4 kilometers long, it doesn’t feel crowded.
Nearby there is also the marina, where some of the locals are keeping their sailing boats.
It is good to know that you can’t bring alcohol to this beach. A good restaurant near the beach is Ali Baba, which served Moroccan and Lebanese dishes.
If you visit Spain, you can easily do a day trip to Tangier from Marbella to see for yourself how beautiful the beaches on the other side of the Gibraltar Strait are and taste a bit of exotic Morocco.
Recommended by Joanna from Andalucia in my Pocket
Where to Stay in Tangier
Ball on a budget at this Studio Apartment or splurge at Barcelo Tanger.
Hopefully, one, if not all, of these Moroccan beaches are on your list for one reason or another. Make sure to check out my backpacking in Morocco guide!
We’re not surfers. Do any beaches have kayak rentals? What about just swimming and paddling? Tide pool wading? Shell collecting? Sunbathing with less wind? Thanks.