Tamraght FAQs: Everything You Need To Know Before Travelling

Red and white cement apartment buildings of Tamraght village. View of Taghazout Bay in the background.

Tamraght is a small rural village situated on the mid-west coast of Morocco. The place offers consistent, year-round beach weather; great surfing; great food; and a warm welcome into the rich culture of the Moroccan people.

Tamraght is slow-paced, charming and tranquil. If you are looking for the perfect base to explore the wealth of surf spots in the Taghazout region whilst remaining in step with the locals, then Tamraght is it.

Check out my full travel guide for Tamraght.

  1. 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.
  2. Book the dreamiest Moroccan abode on Booking.com. They’re my go-to for accomodation because you can save loooaads with their loyalty discounts.
  3. Or if you’re after the one-stop-shop, BookSurfCamps is the best place to find surf camp packages in Morocco.
  4. Find the best local tours with GetYourGuide. It’s the easiest way to visit places like Paradise Valley or Timlalin Dunes.
  5. Make sure you’re connected as soon as you get off the plane with Airalo’s Moroccan eSIM.
  6. Set up a Wise travel card to save on international transaction fees.
  7. 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.

If surfing’s not your forte, there’s plenty more to explore in Tamraght and the neighbouring villages. Nestled between a vast expanse of Atlantic Ocean to the West, and a backdrop of cactus dotted mountains to the East, Tamraght is a place of magic.

How to get to Tamraght?

The closest airport to Tamraght is Al Massira, belonging to the neighbouring city of Agadir (14km away). From Agadir airport you can catch a taxi to Tamraght. The standard price is 300dh (about €30) for the whole car.

Alternatively, you can fly to Marrakech or Essaouira. Both of which offer regular and reliable bus routes to Tamraght.

Check out this post for a full breakdown of the travel routes to Tamraght; including transport options and pricing.

When is the best time to visit Tamraght?

It’s beach weather all year round in Tamraght, so no matter when you visit – you’re going to have a good time.

In short, the winter months are best if you’re coming to Morocco in search of world-class waves. Whereas, if you’re a beginner, then the gentler summer and shoulder season swells offer much friendlier conditions for learning to surf.

This post breaks down the seasons in Tamraght; detailing the weather patterns, surf conditions and peak tourism months, to help make your travel planning a little breezier.

Or check out this month-by-month breakdown for the best times to surf in Morocco.

What visa do I need for Morocco?

Citizens from most countries are eligible to stay in Morocco for 90 days without a visa.

This includes Australia, New Zealand, the USA, and countries within the UK and Europe, among others. See the full list of countries exempt from an entry visa.

If you wish to stay in Morocco for more than 90 days, you must leave the country and have your passport stamped upon exit. There is no waiting period required before returning; so, you can potentially leave Morocco and return on the same day, providing you a further 90 days.

Read this detailed guide to visas for Morocco.

What currency does Morocco use?

The official currency is the Moroccan Dirham (DH).

10dh roughly equates to €1 (10.81dh = €1.00), so for quick maths, just drop a zero.

Some tourism businesses will accept euros (e.g. when paying the city taxes at a hostel).

What language do they speak in Morocco?

The two official languages of Morocco are Darija (otherwise known as Moroccan Arabic), and Amazigh (or Berber).

Most Moroccans can also understand classical Arabic. At least half of the population can speak French, and in the north of Morocco, Spanish is widely spoken. English is growing in popularity, particularly among young Moroccans.

Learn the most useful Darija phrases for your travels here.

Can I surf in Tamraght?

Absolutely. Tamraght and the surrounding coastline have an abundance of surf breaks, providing waves for surfers of every level. From notorious right-handers like Anchor Point, north of Taghazout; to consistent beach breaks like Anza, south of Tamraght.

There are three surf breaks within walking distance of Tamraght village. Devil’s Rock, Banana Point and Crocos. If you’ve got a car, you’re spoilt for choice.

For adept surfers, the best time of the year to get waves is between October and March. For beginners, the summer months and shoulder seasons offer friendlier waves for learning.

Tamraght – and the Taghazout Bay region – are centred around surf tourism. So whether you already shred, or you’re keen to give surfing a go –  Tamraght is a dream destination for a surf adventure.

Check out the full list of surf spots near Tamraght.

Can I buy alcohol in Tamraght?

No, Tamraght is a dry village. None of the cafes or restaurants sell booze.

A handful of bars sell alcohol in the neighbouring town of Taghazout (5km away). See the full list of bars and nightlife options in Taghazout.

You can buy takeaway alcohol at Carrefour in Agadir, as well as a few liquor stores. Agadir is just a 20-minute drive from Tamraght. See taxi prices here.

Can I drink the tap water in Tamraght?

It’s best not to.

The tap water in Morocco is decontaminated and most locals drink it with no problems. However, our foreigner guts can have a harder time dealing with the unfamiliar bacteria.

The water is safe to wash and brush your teeth with. But it’s best to avoid drinking large quantities of it.

Bottled water is available everywhere, but I advise bringing your own filtered water bottle. Morocco’s got enough on its plate with rubbish as it is, we don’t want to add to the problem.

I recommend the LifeStraw Go Series – Water Filter Bottle. You can fill it straight from any tap and it filters out all bacteria, parasites, heavy metals, etc. Ideal for Moroccan travel. Your arms will thank me when you don’t have to lug 5L water bottles up the hill to your accommodation each day.

Find more tips on avoiding getting sick in Tamraght here.

Will the seawater make me sick in Tamraght?

Potentially.

Over the years there has been an issue with sewerage flowing into the ocean near popular surf spots like Banana Point and Taghazout. There are loads of stories of travellers getting a crook belly after surfing.

In recent years efforts to reroute the sewerage and clean up the beaches have improved the rates of people falling ill. Now it’s a matter of hit and miss; most of the time you can swim at the beaches around Tamraght with no problems.

However, it’s still best to avoid swimming/surfing after storms and heavy rainfall. The water becomes noticeably murkier as it all gets stirred up into a big brown mess. It’s advised to give the ocean a few days to settle before surfing.

The Moroccan Government has an online tool you can use to check the current water quality status of most beaches. Check it out here.

Find more tips on avoiding getting sick in Tamraght here.

What should I wear in Tamraght?

Whilst coastal areas of Morocco generally have a pretty laidback vibe, it’s still important to keep in mind that Morocco is an Islamic country. Moroccans living in rural villages (including Tamraght and Taghazout) tend to be more devout, and more conservative than those living in the cities.

As a tourist, you’re not expected to cover up from head to toe. But it pays to show a little respect and cultural awareness. Shorts and T-shirts around the village are fine, but walking around with no shirt is a bit off. Likewise, bathers on the beach are acceptable, but tanning topless is pretty ignorant.

See more tips on respecting culture while travelling Morocco.

Can I buy a SIM card in Tamraght, Morocco?

Yes. You can purchase a SIM card at one of the local mini markets, electronics stores or at the Maroc Telecom shop on the main road.

Read this detailed guide on purchasing SIM cards in Tamraght.

Should I stay in Tamraght or Taghazout?

The two surf villages are only a 10-minute drive apart, so it’s entirely possible to stay in one village and split your time between the two.

As a top-line answer, Taghazout is busier, more compact and a shorter walk to the beach. Tamraght is quieter, more spread out, and has more of an authentic local community feel. Read my full comparison of Tamraght vs Taghazout.

How to get from Tamraght to Taghazout?

You can get to Taghazout from Tamraght via bus or taxi. It’s a 15-minute ride by car.

Bus lines L32 and L33 pass by the main road of Tamraght every 20-30 minutes. The fare is 5.5dh (€0.55).

You can also hail a taxi from the main road. Private taxis will charge 50-100dh (€5-10) for the whole car. Collective taxis will charge 5dh (€0.50) per person.

Read this post for more info on taxis in Tamraght, and the difference between private and collective fares.

Alternatively, if you’re feeling up to it, you can walk from Tamraght to Taghazout along the corniche (boardwalk). It’s a super nice walk alongside the beach and takes about an hour.

Are there ATMs in Tamraght?

There are two ATMs in the village. One is located inside the petrol station – Afriquia, and the other is 150m away out the front of Camping Atlantica Imourane.

Cash is king in Morocco. Most shops, cafes and restaurants in Tamraght don’t accept eftpos, so it’s best to keep cash on you at all times. This will come in super handy when you’re sitting at the beach and need a couple of dirhams for a mint tea or a donut.

Hot tip: Always choose to be charged in the local currency when withdrawing from an ATM. Being offered to pay in your own currency is a sneaky trick banks use to get a few extra dollars/euro/pounds out of you.

See full travel guide for Tamraght.

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