Taghazout vs. Tamraght:
Which is Better for Solo Travellers?
If you’re planning your Morocco surf hotel and trying to decide which town to go for, this is the post for you. Here are pros and cons about Taghazout vs. Tamraght, which I’d recommend and which is better for solo travellers!
Taghazout and Tamraght are both small surf towns near the bigger city Agadir. They are famous for year-round lovely weather and fantastic surfing, especially in winter (Nov-Mar).
What may surprise you is that they are only about 5km aways from one another, which can be easily walked or by local bus. Yet, they are quite different and whichever you choose will change the type of surf holiday you have.
In short, Taghazout is the lively and touristy spot, whereas Tamraght is more local and relaxed. Keep reading to find out a more detailed breakdown though:
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Planning your trip?
How to get to Tamraght/Taghazout:
The closest airport is Agadir–Al Massira Airport (AGA), located in the bigger city Agadir about a 50-minute drive from Tamraght and 1 hour from Taghzout.
Flying into Agadir Airport (AGA)
There are three main ways to get to the surf towns from Agadir Airport:
- By private transfer– A lot of surf hostels and hotels in general offer transfers, often even free if you’re staying a week or so. This is by far the easiest option and someone will be waiting for you. There are also private transfer options on Get Your Guide for around 28€ per car, which is a fair deal if you’re 2+ people.
- By taxi – There are a ton of taxis, however it’s also one of the biggest scams in Morocco. A decent deal would be around 200-300MAD, double check this with your hotel before. You have to agree on the price with your driver before getting in, or make him use the meter (most taxis won’t though).
- By Bus – this is by far the cheapest but also longest option. There is the aerobus for 50MAD (4.50€) that takes you into Agadir city centre in an hour or so. From there, you need bus 32/33 towards Taghazout costing 5-6MAD. It stops in Tamraght on the way. You have to pay cash for this.
The arrival hall has ATMs which is probably the best option for getting cash out straight at the airport. If you can organise a transfer with your hotel directly, it will save you a lot of hassle and allow you to find an ATM or exchange place with better rates.
By Bus
Morocco actually has some great trains from ONCF, but they don’t go to Agadir from the rest of Morocco yet. However, there are two great bus companies, CTM and Supratours, which get you to Agadir from most bigger cities in Morocco. I took a CTM from Agadir to Casablanca and it was honestly fine and even on time. You can buy your ticket online and then pay for your luggage at the terminal in cash, usually around 5-10MAD (under 1€).
Where to stay in Tamraght or Taghazout?
Both towns have countless surf camps, from hostel style to more boutique hotels. They also have hotels geared towards families and beach holidays, like the Fairmont Taghazout Bay or the Taghazout Bay Marriott Resort.
Here are some of my favourite surf spots:
Best surf camps/hostels in Tamraght:
Tamraght Surf House – great food, beautiful house and good lessons (best for beginners)
Yuba surf morocco – kind hosts, great surf experience
Best surf camps/hostels in Taghazout:
Teddy Pirate – said to feel like family, good value
We Surf Morocco – great food, people and surfing
Activities to check out:
Taghazout vs. Tamraght
Taghazout vs. Tamraght at a glance:
| Factor | Taghazout | Tamraght |
|---|---|---|
|
Vibe |
Lively, active, nightlife, touristy |
Quieter, more local, laid-back atmosphere |
|
Beach access |
Right by the beach and water |
Most hotels are up on the hill requiring a car |
|
Surfing |
Walking distance to world-class point-breaks, great for any level |
Very beginner-friendly with good beach breaks, most surf camps drive you to the right spot for the day |
|
Budget |
A little pricier as it’s more popular and touristy, but also more options |
Surf camps tend to be a little better value and often include all meals, less restaurants etc. |
|
Best for |
Solo travellers craving a lively scene, experienced surfers with their own board, anyone wanting nightlife |
Those looking for a more relaxed, surf-oriented holiday, often combined with Yoga. You’ll meet lots of digital nomads and Morocco-returners here. |
So what’s really the difference?
From my experience, the difference is mostly the vibe you are going for and the kind of holiday you want.
Most good surf camps will drive you to the best surf spot for that day, which could be in either village. That means the surf experience will be pretty similar for both.
Taghazout has become pretty famous as a surf destination, and the town’s development shows it. Lots of restaurants, bars, shops and people. There is always something going on here, day and night.
Tamraght is a little more local still, a little more rough around the edges (in the best way). Smaller shops and cafes, great surf camps that really focus on surfing and a more intimate atmosphere.
Both towns will allow you people (important for my solo travellers), though Taghazout is busier and hence even more social. I chose Tamraght and met a lot of people working remotely in cafes and through the surf camp.
I think Taghazout overall has more things to do outside of surfing, with a big skate park and lots of bars etc. Tamraght surf camps tend to have a pretty set schedule which includes food, surfing and often yoga.
I was exhausted after the long surf days and enjoyed the structure, as it allowed for lots of relaxation. There were very few decision to make in Tamraght. If you crave a little more action outside that schedule, Taghazout might be better for you.
Solo Female Travel & Safety in Taghazout and Tamraght
Both towns are very much surf towns and have a much more relaxed atmosphere than a lot of the bigger cities in Morocco. I felt really safe in Taghazout and Tamraght, and was even walking around at night.
I would recommend to stick to the main streets and tourist areas at night and just keep your wits about you, as with any destination.
I also expected people to cover up more than they did, most people were wearing the same thing they’d wear to any beach or surf destination. I would recommend bringing a cover-up if you’re walking around town after, but the “dress code” is much more casual here and I didn’t experience any harassment while walking around.
I would recommend to be careful with taxis, especially when solo, as they are the most well-known scam. Agree on a price before getting in and ask your accommodation for help organising one if you’re arriving late at night.
Could You Do Both in One Holiday?
Taghazout and Tamraght are only about 5-6km away from one another, which can be walked in roughly an hour via a lovely boardwalk along the sea.
There is also a bus connecting the two for less than 10 MAD, the journey also only takes 15 minutes by car. Lastly, you could take a shared taxi, it shouldn’t be more than ~20MAD, agree on the price before getting in!
So yes, you can do Taghazout AND Tamraght in one holiday, whether you switch hotels or surfcamp half-way through or visited the other town for a day. If you’re signing up for a surf camp, you usually get better deals for longer stays, so a daytrip might be a better option.
How many days do you need in Taghazout or Tamraght?
If you’re planning as surf holiday, I’d highly recommend a minimum of 7 days.
That way you get lots of time to surf, but are also able to take rest days and enjoy some of the amazing daytrips in the area (more on things to do in this blog post). We had booked 7 nights, 8 days and it flew by, so I’d even go with as much time as you can.
If you aren’t surfing, 3-4 days will allow you to explore the towns, do a couple of daytrips and lounge on the beach.
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Hi, I'm Bell
I’m a solo traveller, writer and designer. I created my blog to share the many different ways to travel the world. Learn more about me here!
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