You don't need to fly with a board to surf here. Taghazout's main road is lined with surf shops, and Tamraght has plenty too. Renting is cheap, easy, and in most shops you can swap boards if the first one doesn't feel right. Here's what to expect, and which wetsuit you'll actually need.
What it costs
- Board and wetsuit together: usually 50 to 100 dirhams a day in the village shops.
- Board only: from around 60 dirhams a day for a standard board.
- Wetsuit only: around 20 to 50 dirhams a day.
- High-end boards: a few shops rent premium shapes, like new epoxy boards, for a lot more. Surf Maroc's premium boards are around 400 dirhams a day.
Staying a week? Ask for a price for all seven days rather than paying day by day. Most shops will give you a discount without much bargaining.
Where to rent
In Taghazout, most of the shops are on the main road through the village. Some of the names you'll see are Surf Shop Rasta, Habo Surf, Yalla Surf Shop, Mint, Surf Maroc and Atlantis, and there are plenty more. In Tamraght there are rental shops above the beaches at Devil's Rock and by the car park at Crocro, so you can rent right where you surf.
Before you pay, have a proper look at the board: dings, cracks and a fin that wobbles. Point anything out so you don't get charged for it when you bring it back. And check the leash.
Which wetsuit when
The water here is never really warm and never really cold. It sits between about 17 and 21 degrees all year: coolest in February and March, warmest from August to October. Mornings in winter feel colder than the numbers suggest, especially once the wind comes up.
- December to March: a 4/3 full suit. If you feel the cold, or you're in the water for hours, some people go 5/4.
- April to June: a 3/2 full suit.
- July to October: a 3/2, or a shorty or spring suit on the warmest days.
- November: a 3/2 at the start of the month, a 4/3 by the end.
Rental wetsuits have usually had a long life. If you're coming in winter and you already own a good 4/3, bring it. It's the one piece of kit worth packing.
Do you need boots?
For the sandy beaches like Devil's Rock and Crocro, no. For the rocky entries at the points, and especially at Boilers where there are urchins on the reef, reef booties are a good idea. A cut foot can end your trip.
Which board?
If you're learning, take a big soft-top and don't be in a hurry to go smaller. For improvers, a mid-length or a funboard makes the long rights at Banana Point and Imsouane much more fun. If you surf well, bring your own shortboard for Anchor and Killer Point, and rent something bigger for small days.
For packing lists, see what to pack for a surf trip.