Taghazout to Essaouira Travel Itinerary: 10 Days on Morocco’s Surf Coast

Last Updated on 22nd January 2026 by Jessie

Planning a Morocco surf itinerary? This 10-day guide from Taghazout to Essaouira maps out the best surf towns, beaches, and laid-back coastal stops along the way.

For those living in the UK or Europe, a quick 10-day trip down to Africa to keep the winter scaries away is exactly what the doctor ordered. From the Atlas Mountains, to the all-blue da-ba-dee da-ba-di city of Chefchaouan, or the awe-inspiring Sahara Desert, there are so many incredible places to explore throughout Morocco. Let’s park those hot spots for a later date, and kick things off with a trip to Morocco’s surf coast. All sun and surf, with only a wee bit of city-slicking, here is the ideal 10-day travel itinerary for Taghazout to Essaouira.

In This Article:

Pouring tea at sunrise at Boilers surf break near Taghazout, Morocco. — *Early riser at Boilers, near Taghazout.*

This is a DIY, no surf camp or tour guide needed travel itinerary. If you want to hire a car, it’s a pretty simple route to traverse. Alternatively, if you’d prefer to be a passenger princess, I will explain all your transport options in detail.

Note that this isn’t the kind of travel itinerary that prescribes all your back-to-back must-do activities. Morocco’s surf coast isn’t that kind of place. It’s less about the things you do, and more about simply enjoying the space you’re in: basking in the beautiful landscape and learning from the incredibly rich culture. Slow down and enjoy your time.

I also have complete travel guides for Taghazout, Imsouane and Essaouira. So, I suggest you use this itinerary to form the bones of your trip and then delve deeper into those for recommendations on where to eat, where to sleep and what to do in each place – to fill in the blanks.

Three women standing on cliff overlooking sunset over Imsouane Bay. — Vista on the road into Imsouane, Morocco.

I use affiliate links throughout my posts. This means that if you make a purchase through any of the links, I’ll get paid a small percentage – with no additional cost to you. I appreciate any and all support to keep me afloat so I can continue bringing honest, accurate travel tips to you.

Moroccan Travel Essentials

First and foremost, get travel insurance with SafetyWing. They’re super affordable and one of the few companies that let you buy insurance mid-trip.
Book the dreamiest Moroccan abode on Booking.com. They’re my go-to for accomodation because you can save loooaads with their loyalty discounts.
Or if you’re after the one-stop-shop, BookSurfCamps is the best place to find surf camp packages in Morocco.
Find the best local tours with GetYourGuide. It’s the easiest way to visit places like Paradise Valley or Timlalin Dunes.
Make sure you’re connected as soon as you get off the plane with Airalo’s Moroccan eSIM.
Set up a Wise travel card to save on international transaction fees.
And if you’re working online (or want to watch Netflix in your downtime) I highly recommend getting set up with a SurfShark VPN.

And you’re sorted.

Taghazout or Tamraght?

I’ve led with Taghazout because it’s the better-known of the two neighbouring surf villages. But if you prefer, you could base yourself in Tamraght and follow the same itinerary.

Bougainvillea lined streets of Tamraght, Morocco. — Neighbourhood nooks in Tamraght, Morocco.

Read this comparison guide to help you decide whether Taghazout or Tamraght suits you best.

The two villages are only 10 minutes apart by car, so don’t fret too much about making the wrong choice.

See all transport options for travelling between Taghazout and Tamraght.

Taghazout to Essaouira: 10-Day Morocco Surf Itinerary

DAY ONE	Taghazout/Tamraght	Fly to Agadir – Taxi to Taghazout – Settle in
DAY TWO	Taghazout/Tamraght	Surf – Beach – Chill
DAY THREE	Taghazout/Tamraght	Day trip to Paradise Valley
DAY FOUR	Taghazout/Tamraght	Day trip to Timlalin dunes
DAY FIVE	Imsouane	Shuttle to Imsouane – Wander
DAY SIX	Imsouane	Surf – Beach – Chill
DAY SEVEN	Imsouane	Surf – Beach – Chill
DAY EIGHT	Essaouira	Shuttle to Essaouira – Medina
DAY NINE	Essaouira	Art Galleries – Hammam
DAY TEN	Essaouira	Onwards travel

10-Day Itinerary Breakdown.

Day 1: Taghazout

Fly to Agadir – Taxi to Taghazout – Settle in and Wander

If flying into Agadir Al Massira, I recommend catching a taxi directly from the airport to your accommodation. The taxis charge a flat rate of 300dh (€30) from the airport to Taghazout and Tamraght. This is for the whole car, so ideally you want to find others to split the ride with.

See full guide to catching taxis from Agadir airport.

Also, check with your accommodation first to see if they offer airport transfers.

If you’re flying into Marrakech or starting your Moroccan adventure elsewhere, see these two posts for transport options: How to Get to Tamraght or How to Get to Taghazout.

For your first day, I suggest just settling in, unwinding, taking a wander of the village and grabbing a tagine.

Check out my top recommendations for cafes and restaurants in Taghazout, and likewise for Tamraght.

Berber omelette at Cafe Tayoughte, Taghazout.

Day 2: Taghazout

Surf – Beach – Chill

Lock in for a certified beach day. Whether this be getting a surf lesson, hiring a board and going free rein, or simply relishing in the nothing-to-do nature of a day at the beach.

Or choose from the top things to do in Taghazout. Or Tamraght.

For sunset, you’ve got to head up to Taghazout skatepark.

Day 3: Taghazout

Day Trip to Paradise Valley

If you’re seeking more than endless beach days, a trip to Paradise Valley is a great way to spice things up.

If you don’t have your own transport, I recommend booking a day trip through GetTourGuide.

See my full guide to visiting Paradise Valley.

For a sundowner, see the full list of bars and nightlife in Taghazout.

Day 4: Taghazout

Timlalin Sand Dunes

Again, for the go-getters, I suggest getting the most bang for your holiday buck by heading out to Timlalin sand dunes. If surfing’s not your forte, perhaps sandboarding is.

GetYourGuide has several great tours available. The guide will pick you up and return you to your accommodation, and some tours make a full day of it with a stop in to the little village of Tamri for an authentic tagine.

Browse all available tours here.

See complete travel guide for Taghazout.

Cliffside walk around Magic Bay, Imsouane.

Day 5: Imsouane

Shuttle to Imsouane – Surf – Beach – Chill

Your best bet for getting to Imsouane without your own transport is with Souk to Surf. They offer daily shuttles from Tamraght and Taghazout that are fairly cheap and super reliable.

From Tamraght, the shuttle takes 1 hour and 30 minutes and you have two choices for pick-up points: Let’s Be Healing or Hey Yallah.

From Cafe Mouja in Taghazout, the shuttle takes 1 hour and 15 minutes. Both routes cost €12 per person.

Once there, let your feet do the talking and take a wander of Imsouane. The village is super small, you can check out both surf spots: Cathedrals and Magic Bay, the fishing port and the main strip all within an hour.

For sunset, I recommend walking up the cliff overlooking Magic Bay and finding a little perch to bask in the prehistoric glory of it all.

Golden hour over the village of Imsouane.

Day 6: Imsouane

Surf – Beach – Chill

Even more so than Taghazout and Tamraght, the main tourism pull in Imsouane is the surf. Magic Bay boasts one of the longest surfable waves in Africa, and for this reason it’s super popular for surfers of all abilities.

If you’re a competent surfer, hire a board and get out there. If not, it’s a super-friendly wave for beginners. And if you’re not interested in surfing at all, you can take a walk over the cliff top to the far side of Magic Bay and call it a beach day. Or settle in to one of the restaurants overlooking The Bay with a good book and an epic view.

For beginner surfers, check out my top tips.

Primo lunch location in Imsouane fishermans port.

Day 7: Imsouane

Surf – Beach – Chill Some More

I’ll leave this one in your hands.

For more things to do, check out my complete guide to Imsouane.

*Dream decors in the city of Essaouira.*

Day 8: Essaouira

Shuttle to Essaouira – Wander the Medina

There are no buses travelling from Imsouane to Essaouira, so again your best option is Souk to Surf. The shuttle costs €12 and takes 1 hour and 40 minutes.

I’ve got no affiliation with Souk to Surf and earn no commissions, they’re just really good.

The pickup point is Chillax Cafe in Imsouane.

In Essaouira you can choose to be dropped at Bab El Mechour (the main square – best choice if you’re staying within the medina) or La Coupole Restaurant.

All the shiny trinkets in Essaouira's medina. — All the shiny trinkets in Essaouira’s medina.

If you’re heading to Morocco with dreams of all the incredible handmade goods you’re going to purchase – Essaouira is the place. The Medina is lined with stores selling jewellery, crockery, carpets and all manner of other beautiful trinkets.

I suggest spending at least a full day wandering the medina. Even if that just means solid window shopping and taking in the immense skill that goes into some of the handcrafted wares.

For where to eat, where to stay and what to do – check out my complete guide to Essaouira.

Day 9: Essaouira

Art Galleries – Hammam

Another day to explore Essaouira, in whichever way you so desire. Have a wander, check out the fishing port, sit back and enjoy Morocco’s itineration of ‘cafe culture.’

I do highly recommend checking out the art galleries. And rounding out your trip to Morocco’s surf coast with a hammam.

See the top hammams in Essaouira.

Day 10: Essaouira

Bslama Maroc

Grab one last Berber omelette before you hit the road.

Depending on your next destination, you could fly out of Essaouira, or catch a bus to Marrakech or Agadir.

Marrakech is a 3-hour bus ride east of Essaouira is a 3-hour drive west of Marrakech. Supratours ticket prices with range from 100dh-125dh (€10-€12.50).

Agadir is 3.5 hours south of Essaouira. CTM bus tickets are between 95dh-105dh (€9.50-€10.50).

See the complete travel guide for Essaouira.

Sunset over Essaouira's fortified city. — Sunset over Essaouira’s fortified city.

Bon voyage.

More tips:

For more Maroc info and a little less of my own opinions, I’ve created a travel wisdom-sharing hub over on Reddit. Join the group here.

Taghazout to Essaouira Travel Itinerary: 10 Days on Morocco’s Surf Coast

Moroccan Travel Essentials

Taghazout or Tamraght?