Anza: A Guide to Morocco’s Mellow Surf Village

Last Updated on 27th January 2026 by Jessie

A complete travel guide for Anza, Morocco: the lay of the land, what to do, and where to eat/surf/stay.  

Tamraght and Taghazout are absolutely popping off at the moment. It seems like every European (wo)man and their dog wants a taste of the Moroccan surf culture. But if you prefer your coastal towns toned down a bit, Anza is a great alternative. It’s just a 15-minute drive south of Tamraght, and it’s got the same chill, low-key atmosphere that Tamraght used to be renowned for. Before it blew up. 

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What’s Anza Like?

Beyond the surf, there’s not a lot going on in Anza. So it might not be for everyone. But on the other hand, if you’re partial to some downtime in the sun and a wee bit of solitude, then Anza may be exactly what you’re looking for. And if you do need a people-fix, you can catch a taxi down the road to the buzzier neighbouring villages for only 10dh (€1). 

The village of Anza is flat and sits just back from the coastline. If you’re staying at one of the beachfront surf houses, it’s barely more than a hop, skip and a jump from your bed to the ocean. This is a huge perk for those opposed to uphill hikes. You’ll likely prefer Anza to the steep, rocky landscape of Tamraght or Imsouane. The streets are also wide and paved, so it’s far less treacherous for those with rental cars. 

The coastal side of the village is well-equipped for tourists. There’s a scattering of hostels and surf camps, a few cafes and restaurants overlooking the water, and a handful of board rental stores. 

A few streets back from the beach, it transforms into a regular Moroccan village, albeit with a super mellow atmosphere tempered by its proximity to the ocean. The streets are lined with apartment blocks, affordable local restaurants, a primary school, and all the other hallmarks of a community. 

There are no bars in Anza, and there’s no real nightlife. Your best bet for a social fix is within your hostel or surf camp. And whilst there aren’t many of those, the select few tend to be of high quality. You’ll be warmly welcomed in your short-term surfside abode. 

To sum it up, Anza just has a real nice low-key feel to it. In my opinion, you’ve got the best of both worlds: a proper beachfront surf holiday, backdropped by an authentic Moroccan village that hasn’t yet kow-towed to tourist demands.

Surfing in Anza

Anza is a swell magnet. When there are no waves in Tamraght and Taghazout, all the surf schools tend to head to Anza or Tamri (north of Taghazout). There’s almost always something cooking. 

Thus, on smaller days, the surf at Anza can get pretty crowded. I’m talking 60+ people on the reefbreak and 60 more wading in the shallows. On the small swells, it’s a great spot for beginners, though. It’s a nice, wide beach, so there’s plenty of space for everyone to spread out in the shallows. And the shore break has plenty of push to get beginners up on their feet. 

See my Tips for Beginner Surfers in Morocco.

Consistency aside, Anza is a quality wave. The reefbreak forms a perfect A-frame, producing fast and powerful waves. Best left for intermediate surfers and above. It’s also one of the more popular breaks in the region for boogs. So much so that the National Moroccan Bodyboarding Championships are held here. 

Best For	All levels
Swell	NW
Wind	SE
Surf	Waist-high to overhead
Tide	High

If I were booking a surf camp in Morocco, Anza would be high on my list of contenders. I love the idea of having an almost private beach to yourself (at dusk and dawn, anyhow). You’ll likely be travelling to many of the same surf spots as the camps from Tamraght and Taghazout, but a quieter home base for the post-surf downtime has a strong appeal for me. 

Best Surf Lessons & Board Rentals:

• Tayuurt Surf School
• Momma Surf School
• Surf with Brahim

What to Do in Anza

The most obvious pursuit in Anza is surfing. Consistent waves that are well-suited to every level of surf ability. If you’re irked by crowds, it’s the ideal spot to wake early, roll out of bed and get a sunrise surf in before for the rest of Taghazout Bay.

Surf aside, it’s also just a pretty nice beach for leisurely lays in the sun. Big flat open expanse, with tea and coffee vendors patrolling the sand to keep you caffeinated. Even on a 16° winter’s day, the sun has enough punch to it to reheat your bones after an icy dip. 

It’s also a popular fishing spot. I’m always sceptical as to how abundant the seafood stocks are in this part of the world. But I’ve seen plenty of locals casting lines out from the rocks or scampering over the reef in search of molluscs and the like. 

Possibly the village’s oddest claim to fame, the reefs on Anza beach are imprinted with a bunch of dinosaur footprints. At low tide, the reef is exposed, and you can see the 300+ markings from where the prehistoric beasts trotted their hooves about. 

Anza may not have the luxe spa-style hammams, but it does have a couple of decent public baths. For about 15dh (€1.50) you can visit the steam rooms for a thorough scrub down. I haven’t partaken myself, but as I passed this hammam, a local man assured me with a nod and a big thumbs up that it’s ’very good’. I’ll take his word for it. 

If you’d prefer a more pampered experience, check out the Hammams in Tamraght orin Taghazout. 

And last but not least, the beloved Anza Souk. This is the main reason any tourists from Tamraght or Taghazout make the trek down to Anza. Every Wednesday, the village hosts a large, bustling market where you can find almost anything your little heart desires. Bar Souk El Had in Agadir, Anza Souk is the biggest in the region. There’s an abundance of fresh fruit and veg, and a huge selection of second-hand clothes. 

Where to Stay in Anza

There are a few accommodation options on the east side of the highway. These tend to be a fair bit cheaper than anything that’s in amongst the action. But if I were you, I’d opt to be right on the beachfront. Here are a few of my top recommendations:

• Best hostels: Anza Surf House or Waves Hunter Surf House
• Best surf camps: Anza Lighthouse or Blue Waves
• Best mid-range: Surf Spot or Dar Diafa

See tips for booking a surf camp in Morocco.

Where to Eat in Anza

There are several cheap cafes facing the beach in Anza. They’re largely much of muchness but good enough for a tea or coffee in the shade while watching the waves. My top recommendations for food in the village are:

• Anza Bay – A bit pricier, but high-quality seafood tagines and paella. 
• Abchir Grillade – Best option for a low-cost, freshly grilled seafood feast. 
• The Jungle – Western fare: avo toast, smoothie bowls and the like. 
• Snack Samadeco – Good pizza and Moroccan fast food. 
• Local restaurants – I don’t know the name of these places, but there are several low-cost local spots on one strip where you can get loubia and msemen and other yum belly-fillers. 

How to Get to Anza

Anza sits between Tamraght and Agadir and is easy to reach from either direction via public transport. 

From Agadir:

Collective taxis regularly depart from the Batoire taxi rank towards Tamraght/Taghazout. It’s just 10dh (€1) per person. Jump in one of these and ask the driver to stop in Anza. 

Alternatively, you can ask any private taxi (the big yellow and white ones) to drop you there. It’s a ten-minute drive and will cost you around 100dh-150dh (€10-€15). 

There are various bus stops in Agadir through which buses pass towards Anza. You can jump on L31, L32, or L33, and they’ll take you there. Tickets cost 5.5dh (€0.55). 

From Tamraght or Taghazout:

Taxis and buses regularly travel from Taghazout and Tamraght towards Anza. If heading from either of the northern surf villages, I recommend making your way to the main street and seeing which option arrives first. 

Buses L32 and L33 run between Agadir and Taghazout every 20 minutes or so. Tickets cost 5.5dh (€0.55) and are purchased on board. Make sure you have small change, or the driver might get a bit peeved. 

If you don’t want to wait for a bus, collective taxis cost 10dh (€1) per person. Or you can catch a private taxi for around 100dh – 150dh (€10-€15). 

Things to Note

• Cash
  As with most places in Morocco, the majority of shops and restaurants only take cash. However, there are several ATMs in the village. I recommend opting for the one at Al Barid Bank, as there are no transaction fees. 
• Seasons
  Summer in Anza is peak season for domestic tourists. Winter is the most popular time for international travellers, as it attracts the biggest swells.
• Travel Insurance
  Morocco is pretty renowned for cases of food poisoning/gastro. I highly recommend ensuring you have travel insurance with robust health coverage. I suggest SafetyWing.

For more tips, see:

• Tamraght Travel Guide
• Aourir Travel Guide
• Imsouane Travel Guide
• Marrakech Medina Guide
• Sidi Kaouki Travel Guide

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.