Some places make you slow down the moment you arrive. Imsouane is one of them: a small fishing village tucked into a bay between Essaouira and Agadir, where the day is organised around the tide, the swell and the return of the boats. Surfers come for one of the longest waves in Morocco; many others come simply for the light, the grilled fish and the feeling of being at the end of the road.
Here is what you need to know before you go.
Where is Imsouane?
The village lies on the Atlantic coast roughly halfway between Essaouira and Agadir, a few kilometres off the main coastal road. From Essaouira, the drive takes about 1 h 30 through the argan hills; from Agadir or Taghazout it is a similar distance in the other direction. It is small: a port, a handful of guesthouses and cafés, surf schools and cliffs on both sides.
The surf in Imsouane
The Bay
The wave that made Imsouane famous. On the right swell, a gentle right-hander peels along the cliff for hundreds of metres, one of the longest rides in Morocco. It is slow and forgiving, which makes it a paradise for longboarders and improving surfers who want to practise turns without a crowd dropping in every few seconds. Surf schools use the inside section for lessons.
Cathedral Point
On the other side of the village, Cathedral Point is faster, more powerful and more exposed to the swell. It suits intermediate and advanced surfers, and it can work when the Bay is too small.
When to surf
The Bay needs a decent swell to wrap into the bay, so autumn and winter are its best seasons. In summer, the waves are usually smaller and the wind stronger in the afternoon, which is fine for beginners and lessons. Our guide to surfing in Morocco compares Imsouane with Taghazout and Sidi Kaouki.
Tips for surfing the Bay
- Take a lesson on your first day. Local instructors know how the wave behaves with each tide and swell.
- Ride a longer board. A soft-top or a longboard makes the most of this slow, peeling wave.
- Walk back rather than paddle. After a long ride, most surfers walk back along the beach to the take-off instead of paddling against the current.
- Mind the line-up. The Bay is shared by schools, locals and visitors; take turns, do not drop in and keep clear of beginners in the inside section.
The fishing port
Imsouane is still a working port. In the late morning, blue boats come back in, crates of fish are unloaded and sold on the spot, and the gulls gather. A few simple cafés around the port grill the day's catch — sardines, sea bream, squid — and it is hard to imagine a better lunch.
Things to do if you do not surf
- Watch the surfers from the cliff above the Bay, especially at sunset.
- Walk along the cliffs and the empty beaches either side of the village.
- Take a yoga class — several surf houses offer them.
- Stop at Tamri on the way south to buy the small sweet bananas the valley is known for, and continue to the viewpoint at Cap Ghir.
- Do nothing at all. Imsouane is the ideal place for it.
A day in Imsouane
Mornings start slowly, with coffee on a terrace and an eye on the Bay to see how the swell looks. Surfers head out while the wind is light; others walk along the cliff or down to the beach. Around midday, the boats come back in and the port fills with activity, which is the signal for a grilled-fish lunch. The afternoon is for a siesta, a yoga class or a second session if the wind allows, and the whole village gathers on the cliff at the end of the day to watch the sun set over the ocean.
Where to stay
Accommodation is simple and friendly: surf houses, guesthouses with rooftop terraces and a few apartments, many of them with views over the bay. Book ahead for the winter surf season and the holiday periods, as the village is small.
Practical tips
- Bring cash. ATMs are limited, and many small places do not take cards.
- Pack layers. Mornings and evenings are cool by the sea, even in summer.
- Buy wax and spare leashes before you arrive; surf shops in Taghazout are better stocked.
- Respect the village. Dress modestly away from the beach, and keep noise down at night.
How to get to Imsouane
- From Essaouira: our Essaouira to Imsouane transfer takes about 1 h 30 and includes surfboard transport. At the time of writing, it costs €90 per vehicle for up to four people, €120 for a van for up to seven and €170 for a minibus.
- From Marrakech: most travellers spend a night or two in Essaouira first — our Marrakech to Essaouira guide explains that leg.
- On the coast road: Imsouane is an easy detour on the Essaouira to Agadir coast road, perfect for a lunch stop.
Continuing south? Our Taghazout guide covers the next stop on the surf coast. Tell us your dates and your boards, and we will get you to Imsouane with time to catch the evening session.
