The water in Taghazout is cooler than most people expect from Morocco. It never gets properly cold, but it never gets warm either: it stays between about 17.5°C and 21°C all year. The Atlantic here is fed by a cold current from the north, so even in August you'll want neoprene for a long session.
Sea temperature by month
| Month | Average water temperature | What most people wear |
|---|---|---|
| January | 18.3°C | 4/3 full suit |
| February | 17.5°C | 4/3 full suit, the coldest month |
| March | 17.6°C | 4/3, or a 3/2 if you don't feel the cold |
| April | 18.1°C | 3/2 full suit |
| May | 18.6°C | 3/2 full suit |
| June | 19.7°C | 3/2, or a spring suit on sunny days |
| July | 20.3°C | Spring suit or thin 3/2 |
| August | 20.8°C | Spring suit or thin 3/2 |
| September | 20.9°C | Spring suit or 3/2 |
| October | 20.9°C | 3/2 full suit |
| November | 19.4°C | 3/2, moving to a 4/3 late in the month |
| December | 18.2°C | 4/3 full suit |
Averages from seatemperature.org. On a given day the sea can be a degree or two colder, especially after a few days of strong north wind.
Why the water feels colder than the number
Winter is the main surf season, and it's also when the air is coolest. Mornings from December to February can be around 10°C on land before the sun gets going, and the north wind takes heat out of a wet suit fast. Dawn sessions in winter feel noticeably colder than the water temperature suggests. If you surf early, a 4/3 is worth it even if a 3/2 would do at midday.
In summer the opposite happens: the air is warm, but the water is still around 20°C. A spring suit or a thin full suit is comfortable for an hour. Boardshorts alone are fine for a short session in August, but most people get chilly after 45 minutes.
Bring one or rent one?
If you surf a lot and own a good suit, bring it: a suit that fits you well keeps you warmer than any rental. If you're coming for a week of lessons, renting is easy. Surf shops and camps in Taghazout and Tamraght rent 3/2 and 4/3 suits by the day or the week, and lessons usually include one. See our guide to renting a surfboard and wetsuit.
Booties are rarely needed for the cold, but they help on the rocky entries at Anchor Point, Killer Point and Boilers, and against sea urchins. Most rental shops have them.
Quick answer
- November to April: 4/3 full suit, especially for early sessions.
- May, June and October: 3/2 full suit.
- July to September: spring suit or thin 3/2.
Planning when to come? Our month-by-month guide covers swell, crowds and weather.