Best Time to Surf in Taghazout: Month by Month
Reda · surf instructor from Mirleft, teaching in Taghazout·Last updated: 3 October 2026
Taghazout has surfable waves every month of the year. September to April brings the most consistent swells and suits all levels; May to August is smaller and mellower, which is better for nervous beginners. If you only have one month to pick, make it October. One of the questions I get asked the most on WhatsApp is: “When is the best time to surf in Taghazout?” The honest answer from a local who surfs here every day: Taghazout has waves all year round. But each season feels different, and the best month for you depends on your level and what kind of trip you want. Here is my season-by-season guide.
Quick Answer
September to April brings the most consistent swells and suits all levels, this is the classic Taghazout surf season. May to August has smaller, mellower waves, which is actually perfect if you are a beginner taking your first surf lessons in Taghazout. Water temperature ranges from about 16°C in winter to 22°C in late summer, so you surf in a wetsuit most of the year (we provide it).
| Season | Waves | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn (Sep–Nov) | Swells return, warm water | All levels |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Biggest, most powerful swells | Intermediate & advanced (beginners in protected bays) |
| Spring (Mar–May) | Consistent, fewer crowds | All levels |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Small, clean, mellow waves | Beginners & families |
Month by Month: What the Ocean Actually Does
Seasons are a rough guide. Most people booking a trip already have a month in mind, so here is what each one really looks like from the beach where I teach. Wave sizes are what you can expect on an average day, not the best day of the month.
| Month | Typical waves | Water | What you wear | How busy | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Head-high and up on the points | ~17–18°C | 3/2 full suit | Busy | Intermediate & advanced; beginners in the bays |
| February | The most powerful month | ~17°C (coldest) | 3/2 full suit | Busy | Advanced; beginners in the bays |
| March | Shoulder to head-high, still consistent | ~17–18°C | 3/2 full suit | Thinning out | All levels |
| April | Waist to shoulder, clean mornings | ~18°C | 3/2 full suit | Quiet | All levels |
| May | Waist to chest, very rideable | ~18–19°C | 3/2 full suit | Quiet | Beginners & improvers |
| June | Knee to waist, soft and forgiving | ~19–20°C | 3/2 or shorty | Quiet | Beginners & families |
| July | The smallest month of the year | ~20–21°C | Shorty | Village busy | Complete beginners & kids |
| August | Knee to chest, warm and mellow | ~21–22°C (warmest) | Shorty | Busiest in the village | Complete beginners & families |
| September | First real swells return | ~21–22°C | Shorty or 3/2 | Moderate | All levels |
| October | Chest to head-high — the all-rounder | ~21°C | 3/2 full suit | Moderate | Everyone — my pick of the year |
| November | Points start firing, water still mild | ~20°C | 3/2 full suit | Moderate | All levels |
| December | Head-high and up, proper point season | ~18–19°C | 3/2 full suit | Busy over the holidays | Intermediate & advanced; beginners in the bays |
Two things that table cannot show you. First, Taghazout has good and bad days in every month — a flat week in January happens, and so does a surprise swell in July. Second, the beach you surf matters more than the month. On a big December morning I will take a first-timer to Banana Beach while the experienced group drives to Anchor Point, and both groups get exactly the day they wanted.
Autumn (September – November): The Season Wakes Up
Autumn is when Taghazout comes back to life. The first proper Atlantic swells arrive, the ocean is still warm from summer, and the village is not yet as busy as mid-winter. If you want a bit of everything, fun waves for learning, and bigger days for watching the locals fly down the point breaks, September to November is a beautiful time to visit.
Winter (December – February): Point Break Season
Winter is why Taghazout is famous. This is when Anchor Point, Morocco’s most famous wave, produces those long, powerful right-handers you see in surf videos. Experienced surfers travel from all over the world for these months.
Is winter good for beginners too? Yes, and this surprises people. While the point breaks are firing, the sandy bays like Panoramas Beach and Banana Beach stay protected and beginner-friendly. As a local instructor, my job is exactly this: I check the conditions every morning and take you to the spot that matches your level that day.
Spring (March – May): The Local’s Favorite
Spring might be Taghazout’s best-kept secret. The swells are still consistent, the winter crowds thin out, the days get longer and warmer, and you often get glassy morning sessions with just a few people in the water. If you like a quieter trip with reliable waves, this is my personal recommendation.
Summer (June – August): Beginner Paradise
Summer waves in Taghazout are smaller and mellower, and that is exactly what makes them perfect for learning. Gentle, forgiving waves, warm weather, long sunny days. Most of my summer students stand up in their very first lesson. It is also the best season for families and kids (I teach children from 7 years old).
Summer tip: combine your surf mornings with a sandboarding sunset trip to the Timlaline dunes, the trip leaves at 4:30 pm, so it fits perfectly after a surf lesson.
So When Should YOU Come?
- Complete beginner? Any month works, summer is the gentlest, but I teach beginners safely all year in the protected bays.
- Intermediate wanting to progress? September–April gives you the most wave variety to practice on.
- Experienced surfer chasing points? December–February for Anchor Point at its best.
- Want quiet lineups? March–May or November.
Whatever month you choose, the waves change daily, and that is where local knowledge matters. For a full breakdown of every wave in the area, read my guide to the 11 best surf spots in Morocco.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is October really the best month to surf in Taghazout?
For most visitors, yes. October is the one month where everything lines up at once: the water is still around 21°C after the summer, the first proper Atlantic swells have arrived, and the village has not filled up with the winter surf crowd yet. Beginners get rideable waves in the bays and experienced surfers get real days on the points, in the same week.
What is surfing in Taghazout like in November?
November is one of my favourite months to teach in. The point breaks start producing properly, the water is still mild at around 20°C, and the crowds have not peaked. If you are an improver who wants to move off the beach break and onto a real wave, November is a very good bet.
Can you surf in Taghazout in August?
Yes, and for a first lesson it is arguably the easiest month of the year. August waves are small and soft, the water is at its warmest (around 21–22°C, shorty weather), and the sun is out all day. Experienced surfers will find it too small at most spots, but almost every complete beginner I teach in August stands up on day one.
When are the biggest waves in Taghazout?
December through February. February is usually the most powerful month of the season, when Anchor Point and Killer Point get the long north-west groundswells they are famous for. Those months are not off-limits to beginners — the sandy bays stay protected — but the points are for confident surfers only.
Do I need a wetsuit in Taghazout?
Most of the year, yes, the water ranges from about 16°C to 22°C. A wetsuit is included free with every lesson, so you don’t need to bring anything except swimwear, a towel and sunscreen.
Are surf lessons available every day, all year?
Yes. I run surf lessons in Taghazout every day, all year round, from 25€ per person including board, wetsuit and water. If conditions aren’t right for your level, I’ll tell you honestly and we reschedule.
Which is the best month overall?
If I had to pick one: October. Warm water, the first solid swells of the season, and the village at its most relaxed. But truly, there is no bad month to surf here.
What is the best month to surf in Taghazout?
October is the standout month: the water is still warm from summer, the first solid Atlantic swells of the season arrive, and the village is at its most relaxed before the winter crowds. That said, every month of the year is surfable in Taghazout.
Can beginners surf in Taghazout in winter?
Yes. While the famous point breaks are firing in winter, sandy bays like Panoramas Beach and Banana Beach stay protected and beginner-friendly, so beginners are taught safely there all winter long.
How warm is the water in Taghazout?
The water ranges from around 16°C in winter to 22°C in late summer. You will wear a wetsuit for most of the year, and one is included with every lesson.
Is summer a good time to surf in Taghazout?
For beginners, summer is excellent. June to August brings smaller, mellower waves that are gentle and forgiving to learn on, plus warm weather and long days. Experienced surfers looking for power usually prefer September to April.
