# Taghazout Taghazout, a former fishing village some twenty kilometres north of Agadir, has become the centre of Moroccan surfing, with waves for beginners and experienced surfers alike; the adjoining Taghazout Bay resort brings together hotels, the Tazegzout golf course and a surf school. For surfers, yoga lovers and families, from a long weekend to a week. Source : https://sabaro-travel.com/en/morocco/taghazout/ ## A fishing village turned surf village Taghazout has kept its lanes, its white houses and its brightly painted fishing boats. Early in the morning, the fishermen come back to the harbour. The village mixes Berber culture and surf culture: several schools give lessons and rent equipment, and yoga is practised on terraces facing the ocean. Next to the village, **Taghazout Bay** is a resort that its developers present as Morocco's first eco-responsible tourist resort. It brings together hotels from major brands, nearly 2,000 homes, the Tazegzout golf course, 18 holes designed by the architect Kyle Phillips, and the Surf Tadenga academy, open since April 2016 on 5 hectares facing the ocean, with a club for children. ## Choosing your season by your level Taghazout's waves change with the seasons, and that is the first thing to check before booking. - **From October to March**, the winter swells are at their most powerful. This is the season of the points, such as Anchor Point and Killer Point, which are for experienced surfers. Sabaro advises beginners who come in winter to stick to the easy beaches, with an instructor. - **From May to August**, the sea is calmer and the mood more beach-holiday. It is a good time for a first surf lesson and for family beach days. **To learn**, Panorama Beach is the beginners' beach. A little further north, the bay at Imsouane offers a long right-hand wave over sand, suited to beginners and to those who want to progress; it draws many schools and can get very crowded. **The water** ranges from 16.5 °C in February to 20.6 °C in September: a wetsuit is needed all year. ## Choosing your base Three ways to stay, depending on what you come for: - **In the village**, for the surf atmosphere: you walk to the water. - **At Taghazout Bay**, for comfort, golf and children. The Fairmont Taghazout Bay has a 1,800 m² spa, a kids' club free up to age 6 and the golf course five minutes away. The Riu Palace Tikida Taghazout, all-inclusive, has 504 rooms and children's pools with slides, and is fully accessible to people with reduced mobility. - **In Imi Ouaddar**, a little further north, for surf and yoga in the same hotel: Paradis Plage offers 2- or 5-day surf packages, with 1 h 30 of lessons a day, board and wetsuit included, and three yoga classes a day in a room open to the ocean. Agadir airport is 40 to 45 minutes away by road, and Agadir about twenty minutes: Sabaro suggests booking the transfer with your accommodation. ## A typical week Sabaro recommends at least two days for a taste of surfing, and a week to really progress. Sabaro's trip idea "Surf, yoga and spa in Taghazout, 7 days" sets the pace: six nights at Paradis Plage, a surf lesson every morning, yoga at the end of the day, and a trip to Paradise Valley. **Out of the water**, there is plenty to do: - **Paradise Valley**, about an hour's drive, with its gorges and natural pools under palm trees; - **sandboarding**, surfing down dunes, in the Taboga desert; - **Souss-Massa National Park**, south of Agadir, for its 250 or so bird species; - **Cape Ghir and Imi Ouaddar**, to the north, fishing villages and a headland over the ocean; - **Agadir**, its Souk El Had, closed on Mondays, and the Agadir Oufella kasbah. ## Frequently asked questions ### Can I learn to surf in Taghazout? Yes: Panorama Beach is the beginners' beach, and several schools give lessons and rent equipment. For a first lesson, Sabaro recommends May to August, when the sea is calmer. ### What is the best season for surfing? October to March for the most powerful waves, on the Anchor Point and Killer Point breaks, which are for experienced surfers. May to August for learning. ### How many days should I plan? At least two days for a first taste, a week to progress, with a lesson every day. ### Is there a golf course? Yes: the Tazegzout course, 18 holes designed by Kyle Phillips, at Taghazout Bay, facing the Atlantic. ### Is Taghazout good for families? Yes, especially at Taghazout Bay, where the large hotels have kids' clubs and children's pools, and the Surf Tadenga academy has a club for children.