How to Stay Safe Travelling Morocco’s Surf Coast (as a Woman)

Last Updated on 21st July 2025 by Jessie

Travelling Morocco’s surf coast as a woman? This guide shares honest, practical tips to help you stay safe, feel comfortable, and enjoy your trip stress-free.

Morocco has a bad reputation for being a particularly perilous place for female solo travel. Every time I mention my time there to other foreigners, I’m met with, ‘Aren’t you scared?’, and, ‘How do you deal with the *big bad* Moroccan men?’ I don’t know who’s responsible for the country’s PR campaign, but it needs a serious rebrand.

My experiences in Morocco have largely countered this ideology. However, I get that the fears of others are still very real and valid. Thus, here are my tips for staying safe whilst travelling Morocco’s surf coast as a woman (with many-a-caveat).

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Is Morocco Safe for Solo Female Travel?

In short, yes. Morocco is as safe (if not more so) than most Western European countries. In that, shady people exist, petty crime occurs, and the occasional man will say something inappropriate to you. Thus, you do need to have your wits about you, and common sense remains vital; but you need not take extreme precautions or travel in fear.

In my experience, the stereotypes and the mythology of Morocco as a sketchy, crime-ridden, perilous land have been entirely inaccurate. I feel just as comfortable in Tamraght, Taghazout and Imsouane as I do wandering the streets of my hometown in Western Australia. And for fellow female travellers, I’ve passed on Morocco’s surf coast; this rings true.

No population or culture or religion is homogenous. In any group of people you will find the good, and the not-so-good. But for the most part, I have found Moroccan people (men included) to be some of the most kind, generous and warm-hearted that I have met. And I’ve certainly felt far more unsafe walking around Milan and Paris than I have in Morocco.

It’s true that in the bigger cities like Fes, Marrakech and Casablanca, the enthusiastic shopkeepers can get pretty overwhelming. And opportunistic price gouging is common. But that’s in the context of a tourist-centric city in which business owners are trying to get their share of the incoming travellers’ dirhams, to make a living. Which is a whole other discussion for a later date.

NOTE: I have qualms with advising women to alter their own behaviours for protection. I fear that I am perpetuating a victim-blaming mentality that asserts it’s a woman’s responsibility to protect herself from harassment or gendered violence.

However, I recognise that we live in a world in which women are hyper-sexualised and judged by their appearance – in all countries and cultures. And thus, (whether right or wrong) there are tangible ways that we can assimilate to our environments, that can make our day-to-day experiences a little more comfortable.

Tips for Staying Safe Travelling Morocco’s Surf Coast as a Woman

1. Dress (Reasonably) Modestly.

Nobody is expecting you to cover yourself from head to toe. Moroccans are used to seeing tourists in casual clothing, particularly in the larger cities. Morocco is increasingly modern, and many locals choose to forsake conservative dress. With that said, it’s still important to consider the religious landscape. Even on the surf coast.

In a country where the majority of women cover up, the less clothes you wear – the more you’re going to stand out. So opting for sleeves or a longer skirt is an easy way to avoid unwanted attention. Plus, it’s important to show a little cultural respect.

In the surf villages, the lax dress code by tourists tends to be pushed a little too far. It doesn’t hurt to throw a top on over your bikini when eating at a cafe. And it should go without saying (but unfortunately not), please refrain from tanning topless on a public beach.

That’s the bare minimum. When not at the beach, my advice is as follows: Cover your cleavage and avoid tiny skirts and shorts.

I try to at least cover half my body. If you’re wearing a singlet or a boob tube, opt for a longer skirt or pants. If you’re wearing a skirt or shorts, throw on a shirt or light scarf. It might not be perfect, but it’s an effort.

Check out all my tips for respecting culture while travelling Morocco.

2. Learn a Bit of the Local Language.

Outside of the tourism industry, many Moroccans (particularly older) don’t speak English or French. So knowing a few greetings and phrases in Darija can go a long way.

The benefits of this are twofold. On the one hand, a simple greeting, head-nod or wave to a stranger humanises you both. You become more than a foreign oddity to them; and for you, the recognition of them as a fellow human (and not some spooky character) helps to dissipate any perceived threats. Often the fear of the unknown surpasses any actual danger.

On the other hand, if ever you find yourself engaged with a persistent suitor or salesman, you can politely decline with, ‘Lla, shukran’ (no, thank you), or ‘safi’ (enough).

I have compiled a list of useful Darija words and phrases for travelling.

3. Be Direct.

You are far more likely to be hit on in Morocco than most Western countries. Prepare to be asked out on the street, to be told you’re zwina bzef by a stranger, or to be asked for your hand in marriage.

And whilst this can be unnerving to a lot of female travellers, for the most part, it’s harmless. It’s more a cultural difference in relating, rather than targeted harassment. Moroccans are just far more likely to shoot their shot than men in Australia or New Zealand or the UK. Maybe it’s a symptom of a collective society, in which people live less nuclear, isolated lives than we do.

There’s no beating around the bush, Moroccan men are direct, and they’ll tell you how they feel. I’ve found that the best counter response is to be equally so. If you’re not interested, tell them so. Don’t give an inshallah, a maybe, or a flimsy excuse. Just tell them no. And often (not all of the time), they will accept your straightforwardness.

4. Travel With a Male Companion.

I’d love to say that we’re all independent women who don’t need no man, but if you do find yourself experiencing unwanted attention, having a male by your side certainly helps. Particularly in places (like the bigger cities) where catcalling is more frequent.

Maybe it’s a bit of male camaraderie, or the Islamic equivalent of ‘thou shalt not covet a neighbours wife’. But Moroccan men are far less likely to flirt, compliment, ogle, yada yada, if you’re travelling with a man.

Safe travels.

Now that your fears are quelled, check out my packing guide for Morocco’s surf coast and get your travels underway.

More tips:

• Visas for Morocco
• How to Avoid Getting Sick in Morocco
• Why Morocco is Ideal for Families
• How to Find a Long-Term Rental in Morocco
• Moroccan Travel Essentials

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