Is December a good time to surf in Morocco?
Yes, as long as you know what December brings. Morocco’s swell season runs roughly from September to April. December to February is the peak: north-west Atlantic swells arrive most often and at their biggest. For experienced surfers, that is exactly why they come.
Beginners may find that sound intimidating. On this stretch of coast, though, the size of the swell and the size of the wave you actually ride are not the same thing. Where you surf matters as much as when.
December is also one of the busiest months. You’ll find more surfers in the water and more visitors in the villages, especially over Christmas and New Year.
How big are the waves in December?
Wave size changes from week to week because it depends on storms far out in the North Atlantic. Some days are moderate. Others bring swells that turn exposed reefs and points into heavy, powerful surf.
What matters most is how exposed a spot is. Breaks facing the open ocean take the full force of the swell. Waves that have to wrap around a headland into a bay usually arrive smaller and softer. That contrast is why Imsouane works for groups of mixed ability in December.
Where can beginners still find small waves?
In Imsouane, the headland splits the surf into two very different waves.
| Magic Bay | Cathedral Point | |
|---|---|---|
| Position | Inside the bay | Exposed side of the headland |
| Type | Right-hand point break, roughly 800 m | Point break |
| Bottom | Sand for much of its length | Rock |
| Character in a big swell | Usually softer and more forgiving | Powerful |
| Suits | Beginners through to experienced | Experienced surfers |
| Cleanest time of day | Morning | Morning |
Magic Bay is a long right-hand point break that peels over sand for much of its length. It is unusually forgiving, which is rare for a point break. On big December days, beginners usually stay on the inside section, where the waves have lost much of their power. Intermediate surfers ride further up the point.
Cathedral Point is a different animal. It sits on the exposed side of the headland, breaks over rock and gets powerful when the winter swell arrives. It suits confident, experienced surfers.
There are more than fifteen surf spots between Imsouane and Agadir. They include Anchor Point at Taghazout, a well-known right-hander that usually needs a solid winter swell to break properly. For intermediate and advanced surfers, December is the month when many of these spots come alive.
What are the water and weather like in December?
In winter the water around Imsouane is usually 17-20°C. A 3/2 wetsuit covers most of the year. In December, surfers who feel the cold or stay out for long sessions often prefer a 4/3.
The area gets around 340 days of sun a year, and winter days are usually mild. Evenings get cool, though, and the days are shorter than in summer, so plan your sessions around the daylight. Mornings are usually cleanest, and onshore wind tends to build after midday.
| Period | Swell | Water temperature | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|
| December-February | Biggest and busiest | About 17-20°C | Experienced surfers; beginners at sheltered spots |
| September-November, March-April | Consistent | Between the winter and summer ranges | Most levels |
| May-August | Smallest | About 20-23°C | Learning |
Why book early for Christmas and New Year?
The holiday weeks bring a lot of European travellers to the same few dates. Surf houses, small-group lessons and flights into Agadir Al Massira (AGA) fill first. Holiday flights usually cost noticeably more than flights in early December or mid-January, and the gap tends to grow as the dates get closer.
If your dates are flexible, the weeks either side of the holidays are often quieter, and the swell season is still in full swing. If you’re tied to Christmas or New Year, book as early as you can.
At Tafukt Surf, booking is by WhatsApp or email, and we confirm availability the same day. A small deposit secures the week, and you pay the rest when you arrive. For details such as room arrangements, check-in times or exact prices, we confirm directly when you book.
How do you get to Imsouane in December?
Imsouane is a working fishing village on Morocco’s Atlantic coast. It is roughly 2 hours north of Agadir, about 90 minutes south of Essaouira and 3.5-4 hours from Marrakech. The nearest airport is Agadir Al Massira (AGA).
We can arrange a transfer from Agadir or Marrakech if you send your flight details when you book. If you travel independently by taxi, agree the fare before you set off. Fares usually rise late at night and with extra luggage such as surfboards.
Planning your December trip
If you’re new to surfing, our surf lessons keep groups to a maximum of five, and coaches choose the section of Magic Bay that suits the day. For a full week with meals and accommodation, see our surf weeks. The Surf Development Week is built for intermediate surfers who want to chase the bigger winter spots up the coast. You can also rent boards and wetsuits, including 4/3s, and fill the afternoons after the wind picks up with our activities.