Surfing in Imsouane: The Lowdown

Last Updated on 28th December 2025 by Jessie

The full rundown on surfing in Imsouane, including crowd levels and swell seasons, who it’s best for and who might prefer to skip it. 

I reckon most people see Imsouane before they hear about it. It’s easily one of Morocco’s most stunning pieces of coastline. Add a little fancy footwork footage of a babe weaving their styley log across The Bay, and you’ve got an *Instagrammer’s dream*. 

I think the virality of Imsouane on social media sets the scene for the place. In and out of the water, it attracts an influx of trendies looking to milk the gorgeous backdrop for their content. But cynicism aside, Imsouane Bay is undoubtedly a high-quality wave. It’s mellow and accessible for all surf levels, and likely the longest ride that many punters will ever experience. 

For those who are tossing up a surf trip to the village, here’s a deep dive into all elements of the surf scene in Imsouane, so you can make an informed decision.

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What is Imsouane Like?

See Imsouane Travel Guide.

I’m always a bit hesitant to recommend Imsouane to travellers who don’t surf. The landscape is absolutely incredible. Watching the sun set from the cliff: one hundred shades of pink splattered across the sky, with the looming mountain backdrop and a bay of liquid silver – it’s nothing short of magic. And personally, I think Imsouane is well worth a visit to bask in all that beauty. 

But beyond that, there isn’t a whole lot to do in Imsouane. The town used to ooze ramshackle fishing village charm, with makeshift shanty fishermen’s housing lining the cliffside of Cathedrals. But in 2023, the local government commenced its mission to remove all unregistered dwellings. And each time I return to Imsouane, more of my once much-loved local restaurants and shops have been demolished, making way for modern (see: lifeless) apartment buildings and hotels. 

Aesthetic tragedy aside, it’s also brutal to witness the gentrification in real time. Imsouane is a fishing port first and foremost. The discovery of one of Africa’s most coveted waves came second. The fisherman built those little abodes so that they didn’t have to walk the 5+ kilometres back to the upper village after a hard day’s work. It’s pretty brutal that the comfort of cashed-up foreigners has taken precedence. 

For those not surfing, most of your time will likely be spent eating, drinking copious amounts of tea and coffee, and watching the waves. With maybe a little yoga thrown in. I could think of worse ways to spend my time, but some may crave a little more excitement. 

There isn’t as much of a social atmosphere in Imsouane as in Taghazout and Tamraght. There’s one hostel that sells alcohol, and two beachfront restaurants that run the occasional community event. So if you want a bit more action, you might be best venturing further south. 

See Bars in Imsouane and Where to Eat in Imsouane.

What is the Surf Like in Imsouane?

Or the more pertinent question, ‘Is the surf in Imsouane crowded?’ Answer: Absolutely. From the sections of coastline that I’ve visited, I’d say it’s the most crowded wave you’ll come across in Morocco. 

However, I’d still say it’s surfable. Looking down from the cliff, The Bay looks like an absolute shitshow. For most of the day, you’ll find surf schools scattered all the way from the shore to the lineup. It looks like a recipe for disaster. But once you’re in the water, it’s actually not that bad. 

Entry-level beginner surfers tend to stick to the inner section, catching waves straight to the shore. Those attempting to catch solo waves for the first time will sit a little further back. Whereas, the outer lineup – where the waves break around the pier – is more or less left to intermediate surfers and above. 

From the point, the wave curves wide into the bay. So once you’re on a wave, properly riding it, the crowds disperse as you travel further south. On bigger swells, the wave breaks wider and with multiple peaks, so there’s far more room for everyone to spread out across the bay. There’s plenty of opportunity for surfers of all levels to catch waves.

Don’t get me wrong, it still requires a lot of careful navigation to dodge others, and there are plenty of drop-ins and mishaps. But the break itself – the longest wave in North Africa on a good swell – is still pretty dreamy. And it’s no wonder that everyone wants a taste of it. 

Imsouane has a second, lesser glorified, wave on the north side of the village. Cathedrals offers shorter, steeper A-frames, better suited for short boards. Yet still heavily frequented by long boarders and beginner/intermediates on smaller swells. 

Cathedrals is definitely less crowded than The Bay, but given that it’s only one of two options in Imsouane, it’s still by no means quiet. 

To sum it up, I’d say Imsouane Bay is a quality wave that lives up to its prestige. Great to surf, and the crowds can be bearable for a day or two. But beyond that, I’d suggest exploring other, lesser-trendy surf spots in Morocco. 

Local Surf Breaks in and Around Imsouane

Imsouane has just two surf breaks: The Bay on the south side of the headland, and Cathedrals to the north. 35km south, you’ll find the village of Tamri, so for those with a car, I’ve included that break for good measure.

The Bay

(Also known as La Baie or Magic Bay.)
Sandbottomed point break with righthanders peeling around the fishing port and into the bay. The longest rideable wave in Morocco – spanning over 600m on the right swell. A dream for longboarders, and accessible for beginners and intermediates.

Best For	All levels.
Swell	N, NW, W, SW
Wind	NE
Surf	Knee-high to overhead.
Tide	Low to mid.

Cathedral Point

Less protected than The Bay, so a little less consistent, but also a gateway for bigger swells. Point break with steep, powerful waves and potential for barreling sections on low tide. The beach break is a little more forgiving, with a few different peaks. To the south, you can find a left-hand reef break.

Best For	Intermediate to advanced.
Swell	NW
Wind	E-SE
Surf	Shoulder high to double overhead.
Tide	Low-mid.

Tamri

Tamri is the go-to spot when the swell is too small for the breaks around Tamraght and Taghazout to work. It’s a wide beach break with several peaks. For experienced surfers, there’s a left-hander off the sand bank in front of the cliffs.

Best For	All levels.
Swell	NW
Wind	E
Surf	Shoulder high to overhead.
Tide	Mid-low.

See all Surf Spots Around Tamraght and Taghazout.

Is Imsouane Good for Beginner Surfers?

Imsouane Bay is a fairly accessible wave. The water is fairly shallow, so on a low tide, you can pretty much walk out to the lineup. It’s sand-bottomed, so for first-time surfers, it’s a pretty safe spot for standing in the shallows and catching your first waves.

It’s also super consistent. As a beginner surfer, you can pretty much always guarantee a decent little wave to practice on. If you’re a proper newbie, and Imsouane has piqued your interest, I’d say go ahead and book a surf camp. 

For beginner-intermediate surfers, the gentle, mellow quality of the wave makes it super appealing. It’s a good spot for catching your first green waves, with the potential for a long ride to really get the feel for it. 

However, it wouldn’t be my top recommendation for those wanting to practice and progress on their own. The current is super strong, so it requires a lot of work to remain in the lineup. Once you catch a wave to shore, you end up halfway down the beach, and often will need to walk a few hundred metres back. Not the end of the world, but something to be mindful of. 

If surfing alone, you’ll also need to be very crowd-aware and well-versed in proper surf etiquette. If being surrounded by surfers of varying abilities stresses you out, I’d probably suggest surfing elsewhere. 

Is Imsouane Good for Experienced Surfers?

For experienced longboarders – absolutely. Imsouane Bay is easily one of the best longboarding waves in Morocco. If you’re comfortable dodging other surfers, you’ll have a ball. The early mornings – before the 10am surf school shifts start – tend to be the quietest time of day. So I suggest getting a dawn surf for fewer crowds. 

Imsouane wouldn’t be my top recommendation for short boards. Cathedrals is definitely suitable, and there’s plenty of fun to be had at The Bay, but you’re likely going to get irked by the crowds. 

My one concession would be when the monster swells hit. In winter 2025, there was a period when some massive Atlantic swells hit, and Imsouane was absolutely firing. An absolute no-go for beginner surfers, and only attainable for the upper echelons of logs. If you can time your trip to conincide with these swells, it’s a green light. 

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Best Time of the Year to Surf in Imsouane

Prime Surf Season: October – March
Consistent northwest swells light up The Bay, delivering long, mellow rides that seem to go on forever. Winter swells bring more size and power, while still remaining surprisingly forgiving compared to reef-heavy spots further south.

Shoulder Season: September & April
A good sweet spot. Swells are still rolling through, crowds thin out, and conditions are often clean and cruisy. Great if you want classic Imsouane lines without the peak-season buzz.

Summer: May – August
Smaller, softer waves dominate, especially in the bay. Perfect for beginners, longboarders, and anyone who loves relaxed sessions and sunny days. Consistency drops, and winds can be stronger, but there’s almost always something playful.

Water Temperature & Wetsuit Recs

Season	Average water temp	What to wear	Average air temp
Winter	~16–18°C	3/2mm wetsuit (4/3mm in Jan–Feb if you run cold)	~17–22°C
Spring	~17–19°C	3/2mm wetsuit	~20–25°C
Summer	~19–21°C	2mm or 3/2mm springy. Could go shorts/bathers on hot days	~24–30°C
Autumn	~18–20°C	3/2mm wetsuit	~22–27°C

Surfboard Hire in Imsouane

Imsouane has a huge range of rental boards on offer, from foamies of all sizes, longboards and quality short boards. Most hostels and surf camps will have a few available in-house. They might be a little cheaper than what you’ll find in town, but I recommend having a wander first to compare the quality of other options. 

You may also prefer to rent a board and wetsuit from one of the surf shops in the centre of the village to avoid the long walk from your accommodation. Here are a few of my top picks:

• Magic Point – The cheapest I could find. Foamie and a wetsuit costs 80dh for the day.
• Imsouane Surf Spirit – Friendly and helpful.
• Reef Point – Good range.

Surf Lessons & Camps in Imsouane

Between the surf hostels and the standalone surf schools, there’s no shortage of surf instructors to choose from in Imsouane. Here are my top picks for surf schools:

• Bamboo Surf Coaching
• Imsouane Surf Experience
• Abdo Surf Experience

As for camps, I have shared my detailed recommendations here – Best Surf Camps in Imsouane. But here’s the TLDR:

• The Little Kasbah
• Clapo Surf Camp
• Dreamsea Surf Camp
• The Petit Surfer
• The O

Water Quality & Safety Considerations

Imsouane is pretty notorious for cases of Maroc belly. Both my friend and I fell (pretty violently) ill on back-to-back trips. However, I’m pretty certain that was due to the food we had eaten, or general bugs floating around the town, not from the surf. 

See Tips on Avoiding Getting Sick in Morocco.

The water clarity is pretty on par with most surf breaks on Morocco’s mid to south coast – not filthy, but not crystal clear either. And there’s a concerted effort from local businesses and expats to keep the beach clean of rubbish. As with other regions, I suggest avoiding the ocean after heavy rainfall to prevent illness. 

The biggest safety consideration when surfing Imsouane would be the softboard carnage. With such a wide, long breaking wave, it’s very common for beginner surfers (or any level for that matter) to unwittingly drop in on others sitting further back. 

You really need to keep your wits about you and follow standard surf etiquette to avoid a board to the face. And if you’re taking your child grom out, I don’t think a surf helmet would be overkill. 

Bar that, the current in The Bay tends to be pretty strong. You’ll be waiting for a wave and then suddenly find yourself halfway down the beach. It should be a given for beginner surfers, but it’s mandatory that you have a fairly strong level of swimming. 

Who Imsouane is Best For (And Who May Be Better Off Elsewhere)

Longboarders 
Whilst the wave at Magic Bay is fun for all surf styles, it’s largely been claimed by longboarders. Understandably so, as it’s the most dreamy longboarding wave in Morocco. If you’re an experienced longboarder and competent at navigating other surfers, it’s definitely worth a visit. 

Beginner Surfers
For true beginners (standing in the shallows and getting pushed on the wave), I’d say Imsouane is great. There’s plenty of room in the bay, and the wave is fairly consistent. 

But for those who are progressing to catching their first green waves on their own, personally, I don’t think Imsouane is the best place for it. Whilst the wave looks easy, the strong current makes it deceptively challenging. Plus, the big crowds can be daunting and even dangerous. 

If you’re drawn to the village, give it a go. But beginner-intermediates might prefer somewhere like Tamraght or Taghazout better. 

Experienced Surfers
Most friends (on short boards) who can actually surf haven’t been too rapt with Imsouane. Good for a visit for a day or two, but battling the crowds in The Bay hasn’t been too appealing. Cathedrals is definitely a better option, but as one of two waves in Imsouane, it can also get pretty busy. 

For experienced surfers, I’d say it’s worth waiting for big winter swells to hit Imsouane. Days in which The Bay really starts to fire and all surf schools clear out. Otherwise, I’d suggest heading to Mirleft, Taghazout or Sidi Kaouki. 

For more unsolicited advice, see:

• Surfing in Tamraght: The Lowdown
• Why Morocco’s Coast is a Dream Family Holiday Destination
• Essaouira Travel Guide
• Best Digital Nomad Spots in Morocco