North & West Africa
Endless summer, African culture, and world-class surf from Morocco to Senegal.
Morocco introduced a generation of surfers to Africa; Senegal is showing them there’s even more to explore.
As surf travellers venture beyond the tagines, point breaks and well-trodden surf towns of Morocco, Senegal is emerging as one of West Africa’s most exciting destinations for surf travellers.
‘Move over Taghazout, Dakar is Africa’s most underrated surf town’ declared Time Out earlier this year.
But it isn’t about one replacing the other. Each offers a distinctly different adventure.
Taghazout continues to draw crowds chasing leg-burning right-handers and laidback surf culture. Dakar moves to a different rhythm, with creative energy, world-class waves, and a surf scene carving out its own identity.
Here’s our guide to two of Africa’s most compelling surf destinations – from buzzing Taghazout to the wave-rich shores of West Africa.
Traditional pirogues pepper Senegal’s coast.
Senegal
Music, reef breaks, island and city contrasts
Searching for a real-life Endless Summer? Follow Robert August and Mike Hynson to Senegal.
Senegal calling, days like these.
Some six decades since they filmed their iconic surf flick here, this year-round surfing mecca has only recently hit the radar of everyday surf travellers. A five-hour flight from Europe, the beauty of Senegal is that it picks up both southern and northern hemisphere swells. Which means surf in every season.
Disconnected from busy Dakar by a minutes-long boat ride, N’gor Island is home to mechanical, thigh-burning left and righthand reef breaks that were pioneered in The Endless Summer. Back on the mainland, around the Almadies peninsula, you’ll find a mix of shallow reefs, hollow peaks and rolling beach breaks, most of which light up in south swells.
Patina Ndiaye, the first Senegalese surfer, trail-blazed his way into the lineup in the late 70s – so the country’s surf scene is still in its infancy, with lineups far quieter than Morocco. Largely unshackled from mainstream surf culture and influenced by a strong music culture, local surfers have developed a style that’s as distinctive as the country itself: fast, fluid and seriously fun.
Move over Taghazout, Dakar is Africa’s most underrated surf town.Time Out
When to go
Most reliable Can deliver, more variable
The most reliable surf coincides with the dry season from October to April, when northern hemisphere swells light up the coast. The southern hemisphere can deliver during the summer months, although conditions can be more variable – and wetter.
Where to base yourself
Base yourself around Dakar and the Almadies Peninsula, or opt for island life on N’gor. It’s easy to hop between surf breaks by boat and taxi – and most surf camps and hotels offer transport to the waves of the day.
Where to stay and surf
Dakar, Senegal
Terrou-Bi
At Terrou-Bi, surfing is more than an activity – it’s an invitation to experience Dakar’s coastline while enjoying the comfort, authenticity and service of a family-owned five-star resort.
Founded by the Rahal family, here a passion for the ocean has been passed down through three generations, combining warm hospitality with authentic surf experiences.
Through a partnership with Samaka Surf School, led by Anna Rahal, guests can enjoy personalised surf lessons and guided sessions for all levels, arranged directly through our concierge.
Terrou-Bi is just 10 minutes from Ouakam, one of Dakar’s best surf breaks, and 15 minutes from the legendary waves of N’gor. For a truly unique experience, guests can reach N’gor aboard a private boat.
Post-surf, unwind in spacious ocean-view rooms, relax by a private beach and pool, enjoy treatments at the spa, or discover Dakar’s vibrant culinary scene across the hotel’s restaurants and bars.
Yoff Plage, Dakar, Senegal
Malika Surf Camp
There’s a particular kind of freedom that comes with travelling alone: arriving somewhere you’ve never been, choosing a board, and knowing you’ll find your people.
That’s what Malika Surf Camp feels like. For surfers travelling alone, that sense of community matters. Deguene, an African surfing champion and one of Senegal’s leading female surfers, is part of the team: a powerful reminder that women belong in the lineup here too.
Founded in 2010 in Dakar, the camp is built around surfing, local life and a shared way of living. We offer dorm accommodations as well as private rooms. Being on a peninsula means there’s almost always a wave somewhere, often with plenty of space in the water.
We also created Surf Kids Shredding Senegal in 2019, a local project giving children the chance to discover surfing and build confidence through the ocean. It’s the kind of place where you come for a week and want to stay for a season.
Ngor Island, Dakar, Senegal
Ngor Surfcamp Teranga
Surrounded by Atlantic blue and the raw energy of Dakar’s coastline, Ngor Surfcamp Teranga sits on the legendary island of Ngor – where surf, salt and Senegalese hospitality meet. This is not simply a place to sleep between sessions – it’s a basecamp for chasing waves, sharing stories and living the ocean rhythm.
From the famous righthand point to the island’s shifting breaks, every swell brings a different line. Days begin with dawn light, warm water and boards under your arm; evenings slow down with the sound of the sea and the unmistakable spirit of Teranga.
With comfortable private rooms, ocean views, surf lessons, guiding and board rental, the camp keeps things simple: surf hard, eat well, meet good people, and stay close to the water.
Ngor Surfcamp Teranga is Senegal through a surfer’s eyes – wild, welcoming and timeless.
Morocco
Point breaks, souks, and the Sahara
Morocco is the gateway to surf travel in Africa.
Its waves, sun, cheap flights and laidback lifestyle have been pulling surfers south for decades. From legendary points around Taghazout to wild Atlantic stretches where the Sahara meets the sea, there are breaks for all levels – whether you want to find your tribe or chase your own adventure.
The once-sleepy fishing village of Taghazout is the heart of it all – a full-blown surf town, with hotels and surf camps, board hire, cafés, and a steady flow of travellers filling the lineups. The long, leg-burning right of Anchor Point is the headline act, alongside a catalogue of points and peaks within striking distance – from Killers to the rolling walls of Banana Point favoured by longboarders.
Head north and you’ve got Imsouane – home to one of Africa’s longest rights, reeling down a crescent-shaped bay. Then there’s the kitesurfing mecca of Essaouira, with its stunning medina and waves worth checking when the wind drops and conditions align. Adventure south from Agadir and the crowds thin out along a wild coastline yawning past argan country to the whitewashed streets of Sidi Ifni, with the Sahara edging ever closer.
Whichever way you go, a Moroccan road trip is as much about the in-between moments as it is about the waves: sliding down dunes, riding camels, yoga at sunrise, tagines at sunset – and mint tea by the gallon.
Spice up your surfing life in Morocco.
Sundown sessions at Anchor Point, Morocco
When to go
Prime season Biggest waves
Prime surf season is October to April, when North Atlantic swells fire into Morocco’s points and reefs. Mid-winter brings the biggest waves, but you can still get away with just a 3/2mm wetsuit.
Where to base yourself
Base yourself around Taghazout, Tamraght or Imsouane for easy access to the classic breaks and the trimmings of a surf camp or hotel. Or sling your boards on the roof of a hire car and set off on an adventure.
Where to stay and surf
Taghazout & Tamraght, Morocco
Surf Maroc
Surf Maroc has been hosting surf and yoga trips in Taghazout since 2003. Today, they offer three oceanfront locations across Taghazout and nearby Aourir, with surf coaching, surf guiding, women-only surf weeks, daily yoga, weekly retreats, restaurants, bar, Coffee Box, surf school, shop and rental centres – all run by one team.
It’s not a resort, and it’s more than a surf camp. You stay close to the village, the waves and everyday life in Taghazout.
They take care of the useful stuff, help you find the right surf for your level and the conditions, and leave plenty of space to do things your own way.
Expect oceanfront stays, good food, experienced teams, daily yoga, good people and an easy, laidback setup. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, come solo, with friends or family, settle into Taghazout without having to organise every detail once you’re here.
Tamraght, Morocco
Blue Mind Surf & Yoga Tribe
Not every surf trip has to feel like a surf camp. Life at Blue Mind Surf & Yoga Tribe follows the rhythm of the tides, not the clock. Surf, connect and experience Morocco the way we know and love it.
Hosted by Khalid, Sandra and their local team, Blue Mind Surf & Yoga Tribe combines personalised surf coaching, yoga, home-cooked meals and everyday Moroccan life in Tamraght – where surfing and village life come together.
Every day starts with a look at the ocean. Khalid and his experienced local surf team choose the best surf spot – sometimes an early start before the lineup fills up, other days a later session as the tides change. Every surf session is shaped by the conditions, not by a fixed schedule.
Blue Mind isn’t just where you’ll stay. It’s how you’ll remember Morocco.
Tamraght, Morocco
Easy Surf Maroc
Discover the magic of Morocco’s Atlantic coast at Easy Surf Maroc – a welcoming, family-run surf and yoga camp in Tamraght, overlooking the legendary waves of Taghazout Bay. Stay in a sea-view villa with private or shared rooms, spacious terraces and a rooftop yoga shala. The perfect place to unwind after a day in the ocean.
Whether you’re catching your first wave, building confidence or looking for the best breaks, the experienced team offers tailored surf coaching for beginners and intermediates, as well as expert surf guiding for advanced surfers. Daily transport takes you to the best local spots, with equipment, beach lunches and surf feedback included in selected packages.
Add daily yoga, delicious home-cooked Moroccan food, and unforgettable experiences such as Paradise Valley, souks, hammam and coastal adventures. Easy Surf Maroc is where surf, yoga and Moroccan soul come together.
North of Taghazout, Morocco
Paradis Plage
Set on a five-kilometre beachfront just north of Taghazout, Paradis Plage eco-resort offers a refined surf escape designed for progression and restoration.
With more than 18 world-class breaks nearby, Paradis Plage offers fully-tailored surf programmes for all abilities, combining expert coaching, high-quality Rip Curl equipment and personalised training. For more experienced surfers, guided sessions unlock the best conditions along the coast, while beginners benefit from in-depth lessons with the experienced team.
Off the water, wellbeing is the focus. Daily yoga takes place in ocean-view shalas from sunrise to sunset. The eco-spa offers treatments inspired by Moroccan and global wellness traditions. Locally-sourced, organic, nourishing food is served across multiple restaurants beside the Atlantic.
Committed to sustainability, Paradis Plage holds the Green Key eco-label and works closely with environmental organisations to protect the coastline it calls home.
Taghazout & Tamraght, Morocco
Amayour Surf & Yoga
Taghazout is full of life, with colourful streets, oceanfront cafés and a buzzing surf scene from sunrise to sunset. Just ten minutes down the coast, Tamraght offers a slower pace, blending laidback village charm with incredible waves, rooftop sunsets and a growing community of surfers, yogis and travellers.
Amayour Surf & Yoga is based in both villages, giving guests the best of each. Whether you’re staying in the heart of Taghazout or at The View, Tamraght, you’re never far from world-class waves, welcoming local culture and unforgettable experiences.
Days are spent chasing waves with experienced coaches, discovering iconic skateparks, enjoying rooftop yoga, and sharing home-cooked meals with new friends.
With consistent swell, over 300 days of sunshine a year, and breaks for every ability, it’s easy to see why surfers return time and time again.
Tamraght, Morocco
Mint Surf
Comfortable, social, and surf-focused, Mint Surf’s traditional Moroccan riad is nestled in the rising-star town of Tamraght – ten minutes from Taghazout.
Relax in bohemian rooms surrounding a palm-shaded courtyard with a pool at its heart. Each room is a haven, with its own ensuite bathroom, while the rooftop terrace offers stunning views and the perfect spot to unwind after a day in the ocean.
Beginner lessons with their passionate and dedicated instructors will give you what you need to fall in love with surfing. Local guides know every break along the coast, ensuring you get to the best waves of the day.
Morning and evening yoga sessions stretch out sore muscles, and Moroccan dinners in the courtyard bring everyone together to share stories from the day.
Morocco and Senegal sit on the same stretch of the Atlantic. Taghazout has the long right-handers and a surf scene decades in the making. Dakar has the quiet reefs and a city with music running through it. Surf Morocco through the winter, then follow the southern hemisphere swells down to Senegal when the season turns, and the summer can run all year.