Mirleft Beaches: The Complete List

Planning a beach day in Mirleft? This guide explores all the best beaches – from wild surf spots to quiet stretches of sand – so you can find your perfect coastline escape.

Like much of Morocco’s south coast, Mirleft beaches have a wild quality to them. With huge rocky cliffs meeting vast expanses of Atlantic Ocean, the landscape is particularly surreal. For those visiting this beautiful coastal village, here is your complete guide to the beaches of Mirleft.

Mirleft Beaches

Imin Turga (Grande Plage)

Imin Turga (also known as Grande Plage) does what it says on the tin. It’s a huge stretch of golden sandy beach on the north side of the village.

The beach is surrounded by rocky cliffs, with a few cool caves to explore at the far end. It’s the most popular of the Mirleft beaches for families, with plenty of space for everyone. However, when there’s swell, the currents can get pretty dangerous, so take caution when swimming. There is a resident lifeguard on patrol, but know your limits.

There is a row of beach chairs and umbrellas available for hire. Apart from those, there is very little shade. Above the beach, you can rent surfboards and wetsuits from Mirleft Surf Shop. And if you want an impromptu lesson, the lifeguard doubles as a surf instructor. Versatile.

The waves at Imin Turga can get hard and heavy, best for surfing on smaller swells. It’s also a popular spot for beach fishing. During summer, when it’s busier, the water gets pretty filthy with litter. There are bins available, so make sure you dispose of your rubbish properly. In Mirleft, and everywhere.

How to get there:

Imin Turga is a 20-25 minute walk from the centre of Mirleft. Less if you choose to stay down in that coastal nook of town. (See Sally’s B&B and Amwaj Apartments for some dream accommodation inspo). Note that there is a big set of stairs leading down to the beach; a bit iffy if you’re not steady on your knees.

If you’re driving, you can take the highway route and head down to the big parking lot behind the beach. It costs a few dirhams.

Aftas Beach

Aftas Beach is the smallest of the Mirleft beaches, but it’s got atmosphere. There are a handful of restaurants and sun-bleached guest houses down on the beach, giving it a bit of a surf shanty feel. Think Imsouane pre-demolition.

As with all beaches in Mirleft, the waves can get pretty turbulent. In bigger swells, there is a heavy shore break, with submerged rocks on either side of the bay. Keep an eye on children and stick to the shoreline if you’re not a confident swimmer.

There are a few beach chairs and umbrellas available for rent. But BYO surfboard. Aftas has point breaks on either side, providing both rights and lefts. It works best on high tides.

Aftas Beach is a great spot to watch the sunset. Or head down to Le Cafe du Soleil to while a few hours away with a pot of mint tea.

How to get there:

From the centre of Mirleft, it’s a 20-25 minute walk to Aftas Beach. There’s a scenic winding road down to the beach, with a few goat tracks for shortcuts on foot.

If you’re driving, there is a car park at the bottom. The parking inspector will expect a few dirhams.

For a full desert surf escape, I highly recommend staying at Aftas Beach House.

Plage Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah

Plage Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah is renowned for the big rocky outcrop in the centre of the beach. The whole place has a pretty rugged feel to it, with stones covering much of the beach.

In summer, the place is overflowing with visitors. But with less quality waves than other Mirleft beaches, in winter, it remains pretty quiet.

There is a small restaurant behind the beach that’s good for tea or coffee. The unique landscape makes for a pretty picturesque spot to enjoy the sunset.

How to get there:

Plage Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah is a 35-minute walk from Mirleft centre. You can catch a collective taxi from the village for a few dirhams. Or jump on the bus headed towards Sidi Ifni. However, note that the bus only runs every couple of hours.

If you’re driving to Legzira Beach or Sidi Ifni, it’s worth a look in. There is a paid parking lot behind the beach.

Plage Tamhrouchte (Plage Sauvage)

You will mostly hear Plage Tamhrouchte referred to as Plage Sauvage (wild beach). This tends to be the most promising surf spot of Mirleft’s beaches, with waves accessible for all levels.

The swell rolls around the northern point, inviting long right hander sets into the bay. There’s also a beach break in the middle.

Spot-M has prime position on Plage Sauvage, with surfboards and wetsuits available for hire, as well as surf lessons. And for a post-surf refuel, there’s a cafe serving sandwiches and whatnot.

How to get there:

For the keen trekkers, Plage Tamhrouchte is a 45-60 minute walk from the centre of Mirleft. Otherwise, you can catch a collective taxi or bus headed towards Sidi Ifni.

If you’ve got a car, it’s a 10-minute drive from Mirleft. There is a big car park up above the bay, charging 5dh (€0.50) per car.

Sidi El Wafi

The furthest south of the Mirleft beaches, Sidi El Wafi is often the quietest of the bunch. The road in is unpaved, so it might not be suitable for all vehicles.

Sidi El Wafi is a long sandy beach, perfect for a big coastal stroll. The water tends to be a bit friendlier than the other beaches, so it’s a good option for swimming. Though Sidi El Wafi is also popular for surfing and fishing.

There are sometimes small makeshift restaurants set up on the beach serving tagines and grilled sardines.

How to get there:

Sidi El Wafi is 6.5km from Mirleft, so it’s best accessed by car or taxi. There is a free car park at the entrance to the beach.

For more info on Mirleft and the surrounding areas, check out my village guides.

More tips:

• Best Surf Camps in Mirleft
• Where to Eat in Mirleft
• Budget Stays in Mirleft
• Mirleft Skatepark
• Booking a Surf Camp in Morocco