Bring the kids. Moroccans love children, and you'll notice it straight away: waiters who play peekaboo, shopkeepers slipping them a sweet, grandmothers stopping in the street to pinch a cheek. The villages are small and relaxed, the food is easy, and the beaches are big. A few things just need a bit more planning than they would at home.
Beaches for little ones
- Taghazout Bay: the long beach by the resorts south of Taghazout is the easiest family beach nearby. There's a promenade, cafés, a play area and pedal boats to rent.
- Tamraght's beaches (Devil's Rock and Crocro) are wide and sandy. They're fine for paddling at mid to high tide on a small day. They're also surf-school beaches, so keep an eye out for flying soft-tops.
Don't assume there's a lifeguard. The Atlantic here has real currents, even on calm-looking days. Keep little ones within arm's reach in the water, and ask a surf instructor or a local where the rips are before older kids swim.
Surf lessons for kids
Many surf schools take children from around five or six, as long as they can swim, usually in small groups with their own instructor. Summer, when the waves are smallest, is the best time for a first lesson. Ask the school how many kids per instructor, and whether they have small wetsuits.
Other things kids love
- Crocoparc: hundreds of crocodiles and a big garden, near Agadir. Around 100 dirhams for adults and 70 for children aged 3 to 12. It opens daily.
- Paradise Valley: rock pools to splash in. Keep the jumping for the adults, and check the depth.
- The camels on the beach and the goats in the argan trees. You'll see them along the road, and it never gets old.
- A souk: colours, noise, oranges, donkeys. Hold hands in the crowd.
The sun
It's stronger than it feels, because there's nearly always a breeze. Hats, high-factor sunscreen, a rash vest in the water, and shade in the middle of the day. Carry more water than you think you need.
Nappies, food, pharmacy
- The corner shops in the villages have the basics, like nappies, milk and snacks, but choice is limited.
- For your usual brands, formula and baby food, the big supermarkets in Agadir (Marjane and Carrefour) have everything.
- Pharmacists in Morocco are very helpful and can advise on small problems. See pharmacies near you, including the ones open at night.
Getting around with kids
- The lanes in both villages are steep, uneven and sandy. A baby carrier beats a pushchair.
- Taxis don't have car seats. If that matters to you, bring your own or book a transfer that provides one.
- Cats and dogs roam freely. Most are friendly, but teach kids not to touch them.
Where to stay
Tamraght is quieter and has the gentler beaches. The resorts in Taghazout Bay have pools, kids' clubs and flat access. See where to stay, and browse places to stay.