What is Morocco like over Christmas and New Year?
Morocco is a Muslim-majority country, so Christmas isn’t a public holiday and most of daily life carries on as usual. In a coastal village like Imsouane, cafés, small shops, the harbour and the fish market work normal hours on 25 December. You won’t find much Christmas decoration, apart from some international hotels in Agadir or Marrakech.
New Year’s Day, 1 January, is a public holiday. Banks, post offices and government offices close, but cafés, restaurants and most shops in tourist areas usually stay open. The main thing to plan around is travel: roads, airports and accommodation are busier than usual over the whole holiday fortnight.
What is open over the holidays?
| Service | Christmas Day (25 Dec) | New Year’s Day (1 Jan) |
|---|---|---|
| Cafés and restaurants | Usually open as normal | Mostly open, some take the day off |
| Small shops and markets | Usually open | Often open, sometimes with shorter hours |
| Banks and post offices | Open on weekdays | Closed |
| Cash machines (ATMs) | Working, busier in towns | Working, but can run low, so take cash out beforehand |
| Intercity buses and taxis | Running | Running, busier, and it’s best to book ahead |
| Flights into Agadir (AGA) | Operating | Operating, busy holiday period |
The fishing boats in Imsouane go out whenever the sea allows, not according to the holiday calendar, so the harbour is often just as busy as any other week.
How do the waves usually behave in December and January?
This is the heart of the season. North-west Atlantic swell is most consistent from September to April, and December to February usually brings the biggest waves of the year. Swells come through in pulses, so a week often mixes a couple of big days with some smaller, cleaner ones.
Mornings are usually the cleanest time to surf. Onshore wind tends to pick up after midday, so most people get in early and use the afternoon to rest or explore.
Which waves suit which surfers in winter?
Imsouane has two very different waves on either side of the headland, which helps a lot when the swell is big.
| Magic Bay | Cathedral Point | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Long right-hand point break | More powerful headland wave |
| Bottom | Sand for much of its length | Rock |
| Length | Around 800 metres on a good day | Shorter, punchier sections |
| Winter character | Wraps in and softens, forgiving on most days | Picks up the most size and power |
| Suits | Beginners to experienced surfers | Confident intermediates and advanced surfers |
| Crowd at holidays | Busy, especially mid-morning | Busy on good swells |
On the biggest days, beginners are best in the smaller inside sections of Magic Bay, and only with a coach. Experienced surfers often have a wider choice: there are more than fifteen surf spots between Imsouane and Agadir, including Anchor Point at Taghazout, which is at its best in solid winter swell.
How cold is it?
The water is usually around 17-20°C in winter. A 3/2 wetsuit is enough for most people, but if you get cold easily a 4/3 makes long sessions more comfortable. Days are often sunny and mild, with around 340 days of sun a year in the region. Evenings and early mornings are noticeably cooler, so bring warm layers. Winter can also bring the occasional rainy day.
| Month | Swell | Water temperature | Crowd |
|---|---|---|---|
| December | Big, consistent | Around 17-20°C | Busy, busiest over the holidays |
| January | Often the biggest of the year | Around 17-20°C | Busy |
| February | Still big and consistent | Around 17-20°C | Busy, easing towards the end |
What’s the atmosphere like?
Over the holidays, Imsouane fills with surfers from all over the world, many of them escaping winter at home. The line-up gets crowded, especially at Magic Bay in the middle of the morning. Surfing early and being patient in the water both help.
Out of the water, the village stays itself: fishing boats landing at the harbour, mint tea in the cafés and a relaxed pace. New Year’s Eve is usually low-key here, often just a long meal with the people you’ve met that week. If you want fireworks and nightclubs, Agadir and Marrakech are the places to go. Lots of people travel alone at this time of year, and shared meals are the easiest way to meet other surfers.
How do I get to Imsouane over the holidays?
The nearest airport is Agadir Al Massira (AGA), about 2 hours south by road. Essaouira is about 90 minutes north, and Marrakech is 3.5-4 hours away. Flights and transfers fill up quickly in late December, so book early. It’s best to organise your transfer before you arrive rather than looking for one on the day. If you take a taxi, always agree the fare before you set off, because prices often rise during busy holiday weeks.
For details we haven’t covered here, such as room availability for particular dates or holiday check-in times, we confirm everything directly when you book.
Planning a winter trip
If you’re thinking about surfing through the holidays, our surf weeks run for 7 nights and our daily lessons are a good option if you prefer to stay flexible. You can rent boards and wetsuits, including 4/3s for the cooler months. For days when the swell is too big or the wind has turned onshore, have a look at our activities.