MOROCCO AND CANARY FROM 20 DEC TO 7 JAN

[ale k]

Hi there,

I am an improver beginner. I am goofy, but more often I surfed right waves actually. I am able to catch green waves, but of course would like to practice the take off and the basic manouvers in a relatively safe environment. So i need quite a forgiving wave, not so hollow and not so crowded.

I am italian, and i was thinking to go to somewhere close to Italy, from 20th December to 7th January, as I do not have money to travel to Asia or America. So far, my 2 choices are Morocco and Canary Islands (at least it's warmer than Europe!).

I guess I need an area with a good variety of spots. Ideally i need some spots more exposed for the small days and some others more proteced for the bigger days. I know that, for both Morocco and Canary, it should be high season for waves and that the wind pattern should be favourable.
But since I've never been there, I really dont know if there is anything good for my level.

Can you guys suggest any good area in Morocco and/or Canary Islands that can suite my level?
Any other suggestion close to Italy is really appreciated too!!!

Thanks a lot!!
Have a good one!!
ciao

ale k.

[jaffa1949]

Have a look at this very site at the Surf Spot Map then https://surfing-waves.com/atlas/europe.html ,you can take it a little further, https://surfing-waves.com/atlas/africa/morocco.html

There are quite good discussions about Morocco going on have a look at that too the inserts at the bottom of the page, this site has a lot of information if you look.

[ale k]

Thank you jaffa!
actually I already had a look at those info and I was looking for some more "unbiased" tips
I also read previous posts on the forum..
Ideallly, I'd like to listen to someone who has been there..i guess aqualife did....
cheers!

[peazz]

Ale, A flight from england to hong kong is only £500, with you being closer i can imagine its cheaper. its also extremely cheap living costs (minus accommodation)

Big wave bay in Hong Kong has some nice consistent swell during those times ( right up untill about may when the swell switches from the west to the south ), if you feel up to the challenging paddle, then Tai Long Wan, Sai Kung is pretty consistent and has the best shaped waves.

[pico_train]

I've been to Morocco. Stayed in Tamraght, just outside the popular area of Taghazout.

Landed in Agadir and got a taxi to Tamraght which was arranged by the place I was staying at. I stayed with Moroccan Surf Adventures - Great set-up, crew, food. Accommodation is in a 3 story house. The accommodation is ok. Nice balconies and social areas for post surf decompression. They have all the kit you need should you require. Even some of the boards looked good to me. I brought my own. Air Morocco will charge about $US 50 for your board(s).

It's a great country. The waves are great. The points, when they are on, are top notch. There are loads of spots up and down the coast. If you get a surf guiding package, which I did, my guide was awesome, and took me all over the show. Even down into the Northern beginnings of the Sahara with some local groms to get some waves.

Drivers are nuts, water is dodgy, drink only from a bottle, food is nice, beer is ok, weather was nice for me at the time.

Will I go again? Definetely. When? I don't know but prob in late Oct or Nov one year and maybe another in the Jan to Mar surf high season.

Any questions, ask away!

[ale k]

hi guys,
first of all thank you so much for your tips, really appreciated!

Peaz, i cant make it to hong kong this time...would have been great to do it, and even greater to join you in the water!

Pico, everything sounds really really cool...but let me ask u a few more questions...

what about the crowd level at the spots in the Tagazhout area?
I ask this beacuse i noticed that there are many point breaks, and this could be an issue for me...i'm not so good in surfing - i am still learning correct timing and positioning for take off - so i might not get enough good waves on a crowded point break..
I know there are also a few beach breaks in the area, but i am not sure of the consistency on high season. When the swell pumps really much, then beach breaks might be close outs and the only solid option relies on point breaks..what do u reckon about it?

..and so, what about the surf in those spots situated southern than agadir?

thank u once again!
ciao

[pico_train]

Signore, va bene? Domande? Naturalmente.

Well it's Taghazout so there's people in the lineup. Your better bets given your skill level around there would be Devils Rock, Cro-Cro and a couple of other spots the guides will know closer to Tamraght, maybe even La Source just past Taghazout. Devils Rock would be good for you I think given that you say you are still learning some of the basics. It's a nice beachbreak with mellow waves and decently long rides for a beach break. Good for longboarding and minimals. Go early enough and you can have it to yourself for a while before the other schools arrive. I did a few times and it was some good fun there. Consistency wise you won't have any problems that time of year I don't think. The guides will have enough experience to find you sheltered spots should the swell get too big for you. You could try the Agadir itself!

I went only once south of Agadir into the desert. There's plenty around that I don't know about. It's rougher and rugged and I wouldn't recommend it for a beginner. I enjoyed going south, it was a real challenge for me and I got taught a proper lesson but it was worth it.

Go for it. You'll like it there. Given you are Italian, I'm pretty sure you know Moroccan culture a bit already. Have a tagine, get a nice Argan Oil massage, enjoy the local treats, have a mint tea, bargain a bit and get the t-shirt.

Ciao!

Stephane

[ale k]

hehehehhe... grazie mille Stephane!!!

ps your italian is pretty good, complimenti!

[pico_train]

Prego!

[ale k]

Hi there,

do u guys know what is the situation now in Imesouane?
I ve heard this used to be a good point break, but apparently now the sand banks are not there anymore..
do you know if that is true, or just a "legend"?
cheers!

[pico_train]

Well when I went, it was flat as a pancake so I couldn't tell you how good it is when it's on. There's a few photos of the place more recently online and I do believe it still works even if it's not quite what it was in the past since the port was modified.

We paddled down to the beach break anyway and caught some 3 inch waves in the shore break for kicks. It was more about being there than anything else. The place is beautiful. My guide did say that he tries to go there at least once a week. To me that means that it's worth the 1hour plus drive from Taghazout to go there once a week in season.

It's a fantastic drive there, really some amazing scenery, Africa at its best. Even though we didn't get real waves, we had fun and the place is quite spetacular.

Hope that helps.

[ale k]

it does help, man!
grazie

[ale k]

Ciao everybody,
just wanted to share my experience..
Finally I chose morocco, taghazoute area from 22 to 31 dec.
I absolutely loved Morocco!
Ppl are really really nice, food is fantastic and surf is top quality..perfect weather, always sunny..not too hot or too cold.

Gotta say that morocco is not the perfect place for beginners/improvers, bcoz it does get big often and, specially after 26 dec, it gets really crowded so it can be hard to snatch a wave.
I surfed mainly in banana point and panorama...but also devils rock..and couple of times agadir, when the above spots were bombing! My fav spot is banana, even if it can get really crowded.. in my opinion panorama has strong rips and the take off is harder. devils is also good for learning, providing it's not too big.

As for accomodation, I was in tamrakt as it's closer to banana and devils and coz i prefer quieter settings. Was staying at the Aloha surf camp..was excellent value4money deal!! Great view over the two spots, the guys are relaxed, the staff is always helpful and nice, food is great. I ended up eating there very often as it was much better deal than most of the restaurants in tagaz. Highly recommended.

After surfing tagaz, I went for a trip around mirleft and sidi ifni (there is good surf potential, but it is not consistent as tagaz, i guess bcos it's more exposed to swell and to N winds). Did not surf there.
Then I travelled to marrakech, stopping in tafraute and taroundant (couple of nights each). Was great..the true Morocco!! Enjoyed the great scenery around me (nature at its best) and the quiteness of that deserted area..wow!!!

Wanted to thank everyone for being so nice to answer all my questions!!!
Really appreciated
cheers!!!

[surf patrol]

Hey ale k, sounds like you had a great trip. Thanks for posting your experience for others thinking of taking a trip to Morocco.

[rabbibongo]

i'm looking to hit morocco (agadir) in may this year.

there's conflicting reports of the consistency then!
is it a terrible idea to go then?

any help would be greatly appreciated.
i've only been there in feb before....
thanks

[ale k]

Yeah, no worries...guess it's the smallest thing I can do for all the helpful advices received from other ppl!!
I just wrote a few things..I can provide more detailed info....if anybody is interested just ask here or drop me a PM! no worries!!!

Rabbilongo, it was my first time in Morocco, so i have no direct experience in May.
As soon as i know, May it's not high season for surfing in tagaz, as you can see also from this link
http://www.lowpressure.co.uk/surftravel ... ?region=43

Personally I find this website pretty much reliable!!
Their suggestions are more suitable to experienced surfers, than novices...just have to "calibrate" those tips on your actual level.
hope this helps..
cheers

[CARBr6]

Rabbilongo
I didn't go to Agadir but I surfed Bouznika in May a few years back and although I was only there for a week there was only one flat day my whole time, so in my (albeit limited) experience Morocco is fine in May. Hope it helps, if you're interested I went to a surf camp called African Spirit Surf (http://www.african-spirit.co.uk/morocco ... ntures.asp) They were very good and I am keen to go back and take my missus.

[pico_train]

Glad you had fun Ale K.
Rabbilongo - i went in June 2012. It was small most days but it was fun on a longboard and I had a great time visiting a beautiful country with warm and welcoming people.

[ale k]

Glad you had fun Ale K.
a beautiful country with warm and welcoming people.

Absolutely agree with you!!
ciao pico, once again thanks for all