What do I actually need to pack?
Start with the water. You will spend more hours in a wetsuit than in anything else you bring, so plan the rest of the bag around drying time and sun.
A 3/2 wetsuit covers most of the year in Imsouane. Water sits around 17-20C in winter and 20-23C in summer. If you are coming in the coldest stretch and run cold, a 4/3 is the safer choice. Both are included in our lessons and surf weeks, and both are available to rent in every size, so this is one item you can genuinely leave at home.
The four things people always forget
These are the items guests most often wish they had brought. None of them are expensive and all of them are small.
Earplugs. Cold water and wind, session after session, is how surfer’s ear develops over years. A cheap pair of vented plugs is the single best-value item in your bag, and they also help on a long, windy point where you are paddling back out constantly.
A dry bag. Useful for the walk down to the line-up, for keeping a phone and passport dry, and for packing a soaked wetsuit on the way home without ruining everything else in your case.
A headlamp or small torch. Sunset comes fast on the Atlantic coast and the village is not brightly lit everywhere. Handy for rinsing gear after dark and for finding your way back after a rooftop dinner.
Fin key, spare fins and a spare leash. Only relevant if you bring your own board, but a stripped fin screw or a snapped leash on day two of a seven-night trip is a frustrating way to lose sessions.
Packing list by category
| Item | Why it matters here | Bring it? |
|---|---|---|
| 3/2 wetsuit | Covers most of the year | Included in lessons and surf weeks |
| 4/3 wetsuit | For the coldest winter weeks | Available to rent |
| Surfboard | Magic Bay suits everything from soft-tops up | Included; bring your own only if you prefer it |
| Reef-safe sunscreen, SPF 50 | Around 340 days of sun a year | Essential |
| Zinc stick | Stays on through a two-hour session | Strongly recommended |
| Rash vest or surf leggings | Sun and board rash on long sessions | Strongly recommended |
| Earplugs | Wind and cold water, daily | Essential |
| Quick-dry towel | Dries faster than cotton | Essential |
| Warm layer / hoodie | Evenings are cooler than the day suggests | Essential |
| Loose long trousers or skirt | Comfortable in a working village | Recommended |
| Sandals plus one closed shoe | Sand, harbour, and coastal walks | Recommended |
| Dry bag | Wet gear, phone, documents | Recommended |
| Headlamp | Early starts and dark walks home | Recommended |
| Fin key, spare fins, spare leash | Only if bringing your own board | If applicable |
| Basic first aid, reef cuts kit | Cathedral Point breaks over rock | Recommended |
| Universal adapter | European-style sockets | Essential |
Does it change with the season?
Yes, but less than you might think.
| Period | Swell | Best for | Wetsuit | Extra to pack |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September to November | Building, consistent | All levels | 3/2 | Light windproof layer |
| December to February | Biggest and busiest | Confident surfers | 3/2, 4/3 if you feel the cold | Warm evening layers, booties if you like them |
| March to April | Still consistent | All levels | 3/2 | Light windproof layer |
| May to August | Smallest | Learning | 3/2, shorty on warm days | Extra sun protection |
Mornings are usually the cleanest, with onshore wind building after midday. That means early starts, so a warm layer for the walk down to the water earns its space in the bag year-round.
What about clothes off the water?
Imsouane is a working fishing village with a harbour where the boats land, not a resort strip. Swimwear is normal on the beach and in the water. Away from it, most guests find loose, covering clothing more comfortable and more welcome: long trousers or a skirt, and a top with sleeves. A light scarf is genuinely useful against sun, wind and dust.
If you are booked on the Surf & Yoga Week, bring something you can move in for rooftop yoga, and remember that a hammam is included, so a swimsuit you do not mind getting warm and soapy is worth packing.
Anything worth buying locally?
Wax, basic toiletries and simple snacks are all easy to find nearby, so there is little reason to fill your case with them. Argan oil and local ceramics are the usual things people wish they had left room for on the way home. If you are heading to the Agadir souk on an activity day, leave a little space.
For a day trip to Paradise Valley or a sandboarding session, add closed shoes and more water than you think you need.
A note on money and transport
We do not publish figures for taxis, transfers or anything else priced by a third party, because they move constantly and a wrong number is worse than no number. Two practical rules hold: agree any fare before you set off, and expect to pay more for late arrivals and for extra luggage such as a board bag. Our own airport transfers from Agadir, about 2 hours, or Marrakech, about 4 hours, are arranged when you book — send your flight details and we will handle it.
Where to go next
If you are still deciding what your week looks like, our surf weeks pages set out what each option includes, and the lessons page explains group sizes and session lengths. For what is in the shed before you decide whether to fly with a board, see rental, and if you want to plan the non-surfing days, have a look at activities.