Best Time to Surf Morocco: Month-by-Month Breakdown
Why Timing Your Morocco Surf Trip Actually Matters
I've surfed the Agadir-Taghazout coast in every month of the year. Some months you're sharing perfect six-foot Anchor Point with ten other surfers on a Tuesday morning. Other months you're fighting side-shore wind and flat surf while the tourist cafes blast Spotify into an empty lineup. Timing matters — more here than almost anywhere else I've surfed.
Morocco's surf season is driven by North Atlantic swells, generated by low-pressure systems tracking across the ocean from late September through April. The shoulder and off-season (May through August) can still produce surf, but it's inconsistent, often windy, and the ocean is cold despite the air temperature feeling tropical. Here's what each month actually looks like on the ground.
Month-by-Month Breakdown
September
September is the start of the season and one of my favorite months. The first proper swells of the year start arriving — usually 3–5ft, occasionally bigger — after the summer lull. The water is still warm from summer (around 21–22°C), the air is hot (28–32°C), and you don't need a wetsuit. Crowds are minimal because most European surf tourists don't arrive until October. If you want to surf Morocco without fighting for waves, September is a hidden gem.
- Swell: 2–5ft, building through the month
- Water temp: 21–22°C
- Air temp: 28–32°C
- Wetsuit: None needed, or 2mm shorty for evening sessions
- Crowds: Light
- Verdict: Underrated. Book early-season trips for best value and empty lineups.
October
October is when Morocco wakes up. Swells become more consistent, the first big NW groundswells of the season arrive, and every surf camp in Taghazout fills up. Water is still comfortable (19–21°C), the air cools slightly to 24–28°C, and you might want a 2mm shorty for longer sessions. Hash Point, Banana Point, and Panoramas all start firing regularly. If you're intermediate level, October is the sweet spot — enough swell to get good rides without the full-power winter conditions.
- Swell: 3–6ft, consistent
- Water temp: 19–21°C
- Air temp: 24–28°C
- Wetsuit: 2mm shorty or 3/2mm
- Crowds: Moderate, building
- Verdict: One of the best months. Great conditions, not yet at peak crowds.
November
November is prime time. This is when Anchor Point and Killer Point start turning on properly, when you see the photos that make people book flights from Europe. NW swells arrive with real size and power — 4–8ft is normal, with bigger sets pushing through on the best days. Water has cooled to 17–19°C, so a 3/2mm is standard, though some people prefer a 4/3mm. Crowds peak in late November as surf tourism hits its stride. Book accommodation three months in advance if you want the good places.
- Swell: 4–8ft, powerful NW groundswells
- Water temp: 17–19°C
- Air temp: 20–25°C
- Wetsuit: 3/2mm minimum, 4/3mm recommended
- Crowds: High
- Verdict: Best conditions of the year. Plan well in advance.
December
December delivers Morocco's biggest and most powerful surf. The Atlantic is generating storms regularly, and the swells that arrive are solid. Anchor Point can hit double overhead and above; Killer Point is for serious surfers only. The air cools significantly (15–20°C), evenings feel cold by Moroccan standards, and a 4/3mm wetsuit is non-negotiable. Crowds stay high through Christmas, then drop noticeably after the 27th. The days between Christmas and New Year are actually some of the most crowded of the whole year — if that's when you're going, manage your expectations at Hash Point.
- Swell: 5–10ft+, powerful and consistent
- Water temp: 16–18°C
- Air temp: 15–20°C
- Wetsuit: 4/3mm with booties optional
- Crowds: Very high, especially Christmas week
- Verdict: Best surf, biggest crowds. Amazing if you're advanced. Avoid Christmas week if you hate crowds.
January
January is when the serious surfers come. The Christmas crowds have left, swell is consistent and powerful, and the lineups thin out — relatively speaking. Water temperature bottoms out around 15–17°C, which feels genuinely cold after long sessions. A 4/3mm wetsuit, gloves if you're sensitive to cold, and booties on rocky entry/exit points are the right kit. Anchor Point on a January morning with a clean 6–8ft NW swell and only fifteen surfers out is as good as wave riding gets in Morocco.
- Swell: 5–10ft, consistent groundswells
- Water temp: 15–17°C
- Air temp: 14–18°C
- Wetsuit: 4/3mm, consider gloves and booties
- Crowds: Moderate (less than December)
- Verdict: Best month for experienced surfers. Uncrowded power surf.
February
February mirrors January — powerful swells, cool water, moderate crowds. This is the last month of the winter peak. Anchor Point fires regularly, and even the beach breaks at Anza and Devil's Rock are producing solid, fun waves. The air temperature starts to creep back up toward the end of the month (you'll feel it on the walk back from the beach), and there's a lightness in the vibe as the season starts its slow transition. Still need a 4/3mm in the water.
- Swell: 4–8ft, consistent
- Water temp: 15–17°C
- Air temp: 15–20°C
- Wetsuit: 4/3mm
- Crowds: Moderate
- Verdict: Excellent conditions with slightly lower crowds than peak. One of the best months overall.
March
March is the transition month. Swells are still arriving but becoming less frequent and slightly smaller — 3–6ft is typical, with the occasional winter holdover pushing 8ft. The water is still cold (15–17°C) but the air is warming up noticeably. Crowds thin out as the season winds down, making March a nice time if you want good surf without peak-season competition. A 3/2mm is borderline — most people stick with a 4/3mm for March.
- Swell: 3–6ft, decreasing frequency
- Water temp: 15–17°C
- Air temp: 18–23°C
- Wetsuit: 3/2mm to 4/3mm
- Crowds: Low to moderate
- Verdict: Good value. Decent surf, quieter lineups, warming air.
April
April marks the end of the reliable surf season. Swells are smaller and less frequent, but there are still good days — especially at beach breaks like Anza and the bay at Imsouane. The water starts warming (17–19°C), and you can get away with a 3/2mm on most days. The vibe around Taghazout shifts back to general tourism. It's a fine time to come if you want a relaxed holiday with some surfing, but if surf is the primary goal, better to come earlier.
- Swell: 2–4ft, inconsistent
- Water temp: 17–19°C
- Air temp: 20–26°C
- Wetsuit: 3/2mm
- Crowds: Light
- Verdict: End of season. Good for beginners and a relaxed trip.
May (and Summer)
May through August: honest answer — this is not great surf season on the Agadir-Taghazout coast. Swells flatten out dramatically, north winds pick up, and the waves that do arrive tend to be choppy and disorganized. The water is actually colder than you'd expect in June–July (18–20°C) due to upwelling from north winds. The beach is beautiful, the weather is perfect for general tourism, and you can still find waves at Anza or Imsouane on good days — but if surfing is the main reason you're going, wait for autumn.
- Swell: 1–3ft, inconsistent
- Water temp: 18–21°C (cold in June–July due to upwelling)
- Air temp: 24–32°C
- Wetsuit: 2mm or none
- Crowds: Low (surf-specific), high (general tourism)
- Verdict: Not recommended for a surf-focused trip. Great beach holiday though.
Summary Table
| Month | Swell | Water Temp | Air Temp | Wetsuit | Crowds | Rating | |-------|-------|-----------|---------|---------|--------|--------| | September | 2–5ft | 21–22°C | 28–32°C | None / 2mm | Light | ★★★★☆ | | October | 3–6ft | 19–21°C | 24–28°C | 2mm / 3/2mm | Moderate | ★★★★★ | | November | 4–8ft | 17–19°C | 20–25°C | 3/2mm–4/3mm | High | ★★★★★ | | December | 5–10ft+ | 16–18°C | 15–20°C | 4/3mm | Very High | ★★★★★ | | January | 5–10ft | 15–17°C | 14–18°C | 4/3mm + gloves | Moderate | ★★★★★ | | February | 4–8ft | 15–17°C | 15–20°C | 4/3mm | Moderate | ★★★★★ | | March | 3–6ft | 15–17°C | 18–23°C | 3/2mm–4/3mm | Low–Moderate | ★★★★☆ | | April | 2–4ft | 17–19°C | 20–26°C | 3/2mm | Light | ★★★☆☆ | | May–Aug | 1–3ft | 18–21°C | 24–32°C | 2mm / None | Low | ★★☆☆☆ |
The bottom line: if you want the best surf Morocco has to offer, book between October and February. If you want warmth and lighter crowds, September is the sleeper pick. And if you're a beginner who just needs manageable waves and sunshine, April is perfectly fine — the beach breaks will still deliver.