Country

Morocco

Not Europe, but the winter destination for many European surfers: long point breaks around Taghazout, sunshine in January.

Geographically North Africa, but part of any honest European surf planning.

Best season: October to March
Water temperature: 17-22 °C
Spots: 1

The region

Morocco is Europe's winter destination. While the Atlantic sends the same lows onto an icy coast further north, here they arrive with double-digit water temperatures and reliable sunshine. That is why the region is full between October and March and empty in summer.

The stretch of coast around Taghazout and Tamraght is the centre of it. The signature is right-hand point breaks running over rock: long, even waves that all peel the same way and are therefore easy to read. For improving surfers that is an ideal school, because the same wave behaves the same way again and again. Alongside them are sand beaches for beginners.

At 17 to 22 degrees a thin suit is usually enough. Worth planning for: travelling with a board, and the fact that the best-known points are busy in high season — the alternatives are often only a few kilometres away.

Taghazout Point break All levels

Taghazout and neighbouring Tamraght are the European winter destination: long sand beaches for first paddle strokes, demanding reef waves for everyone else, and a relaxed atmosphere that keeps many people longer than planned.

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