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Even the keenest surfers need a rest day, and Taghazout is a great base for exploring this corner of Morocco. Right in the village, the skatepark on the hill is the place everyone meets for sunset. Within an hour or two you can swim in mountain rock pools, slide down sand dunes by the ocean, watch argan oil being pressed by hand, bargain in one of the country’s biggest markets or eat fresh fish in a fishing village with one of Africa’s longest waves. Here are the best things to do in Taghazout when the ocean is flat or your arms need a break.
Quick answer: things to do in Taghazout
- Best half-day trip: Paradise Valley, with natural pools in a palm-filled gorge about an hour inland.
- Best day trip: Imsouane for its long wave and fresh fish, or Essaouira for its walled medina.
- Best local experience: sunset at Taghazout Skatepark, then an argan oil cooperative run by local women.
- Included in our packages: Paradise Valley and the argan village, Agadir souk, and in some weeks Imsouane, Essaouira and quad biking.
On this page
Things to Do in Taghazout at a Glance
| Activity | Time needed | Included in |
|---|---|---|
| Taghazout Skatepark at sunset | An evening | Free, in the village |
| Paradise Valley | Half a day | All Inclusive, Premium, Family, Ultimate |
| Argan oil cooperative | 1 hour | All Inclusive, Premium, Family |
| Agadir souk and city | Half a day | All Inclusive, Premium, Family, Ultimate, 5-Day |
| Agadir Oufella | An evening | Book on the spot |
| Imsouane | Full day | Premium, Ultimate |
| Essaouira | Full day | Ultimate |
| Quad biking | 2 hours | Premium |
| Sandboarding in the Timlaline dunes | Half a day | Book on the spot |
| Beach bonfire | An evening | Ultimate |
| Hammam | 2 hours | Book on the spot |
| Souss-Massa National Park | Full day | Book on the spot |
In and Around Taghazout Village
1. Watch the sunset at Taghazout Skatepark
If you only do one thing in the village besides surfing, make it this. Taghazout Skatepark sits on the hill above the top of the main street, a short scramble up a signposted path, and its concrete bowl looks straight out over the Atlantic. It was built in 2017 by the non-profit Make Life Skate Life with local and international volunteers, and it is free and open to everyone. Every evening a crowd gathers on the edge of the bowl to watch local kids and travellers skate as the sun drops into the ocean; some nights there is music too. Come half an hour before sunset to get a good spot, and bring a jumper: it gets breezy up there.
2. Walk the village and watch the fishing boats come in
Taghazout started as a small Berber fishing village, and fishing boats are still pulled up on the beach every day. Wander the narrow streets that climb from the harbour, stop for a mint tea on a rooftop café, watch the surfers at Hash Point and finish with grilled fish straight from the boats.
3. Sunset yoga on a rooftop
Few things feel better after a day in the water than stretching as the sun drops into the Atlantic. Yoga is part of most of our surf weeks, and the villages of Taghazout and Tamraght are full of rooftop and garden spaces where you can join a session.
4. Relax in a traditional hammam
The hammam, a steam bath followed by a vigorous scrub with black soap, is part of everyday life in Morocco and the perfect cure for salty skin and tired muscles. You will find simple local hammams and more comfortable spa versions in the area and in Agadir; ask the team at the camp for their favourite.
5. Watch the sunset from Agadir Oufella
The old kasbah on the hill above Agadir has sweeping views over the bay, the port and the city. A cable car takes you up, and it is a lovely place to end a day in town before heading back to the camp.
Day Trips Inland: Paradise Valley and the Argan Villages
6. Swim in the rock pools of Paradise Valley
About an hour inland, this palm-filled gorge in the foothills of the Atlas has natural pools of fresh water that are perfect for a swim and a picnic. The drive through the mountains is beautiful in itself. Go early to avoid the crowds, bring shoes you can walk on rocks with, and visit in spring when the water levels are higher. Paradise Valley is included in most of our surf weeks.
7. Visit an argan oil cooperative
The argan tree grows almost nowhere else in the world but this region of Morocco. In the women’s cooperatives near Taghazout you can watch the nuts being cracked and pressed by hand, taste the toasted oil used in cooking, and buy the oil for skincare directly from the people who make it.
8. Go quad biking in the hills
Guided quad bike tours head into the dry hills behind the coast, along dirt tracks lined with argan trees and with views back over the ocean. A two-hour ride is included in our Premium week.
9. Sandboarding in the Timlaline dunes
You do not need to go all the way to the Sahara for real sand dunes. Near the village of Tamri, around 40 minutes north of Taghazout, the Timlaline dunes rise right next to the Atlantic. Carry a board to the top, then slide, sit or even stand your way down; the walk back up is a workout, and the view over the ocean from the crest is worth every step. Go in the late afternoon, when the sand is cooler and the light turns gold, and bring water, sunglasses and a scarf in case the wind picks up the sand.
Things to Do in Morocco Beyond the Bay: Coastal Road Trips
10. Get lost in the Agadir souk
Souk El Had in Agadir is one of the largest markets in Morocco, with spices, fresh fruit, leather, ceramics and everything in between. Bring cash, take your time and be ready to bargain with a smile.
11. Road trip to Imsouane
About an hour and a half north, this laid-back fishing village has one of the longest waves in Africa and some of the best fresh fish on the coast. Surf the bay, watch the boats come in and stay for the sunset. Imsouane is included in our Premium and Ultimate weeks.
12. Spend a day in Essaouira
Further up the coast, the old port town of Essaouira has a walled medina listed by UNESCO, blue fishing boats and a relaxed, artistic atmosphere. It is a long but rewarding day trip, and it is included in our Ultimate week.
13. Birdwatching in Souss-Massa National Park
South of Agadir, Souss-Massa National Park protects wild coastline, river mouths and dunes, and is known for its birdlife, including one of the last wild populations of the northern bald ibis. It is a quiet, very different day out for nature lovers.
14. A bonfire on the beach
Some of the best evenings of a surf trip are the simplest: a fire on the sand, music, stories from the day and a sky full of stars. A beach bonfire is part of our Ultimate week and a highlight for many guests.
Our tip: plan day trips for flat days or the middle of your week, when your arms need a rest. On a surf camp the team watches the forecast and moves excursions around so you do not miss good waves.
Frequently asked questions
Are excursions included in Twist Surf packages?
Several are. Depending on the package, trips to Paradise Valley and an argan oil village, Agadir souk, Imsouane, Essaouira, a quad bike ride and a beach bonfire are included. Each package page lists its excursions.
Is Paradise Valley worth visiting?
Yes, especially on a flat day. The drive through the mountains is beautiful and the natural pools are a refreshing change from the ocean. Spring, when the water levels are higher, is a particularly good time.
What can I do in Taghazout in the evening?
Watch the sunset from Taghazout Skatepark or a café in the village, join a yoga session, eat grilled fish or a tagine, and spend the evening on the terrace with the other guests. Nightlife is relaxed rather than wild.
How far is Essaouira from Taghazout?
It is a long drive north along the coast, so plan a full day. Many people combine it with a stop in Imsouane on the way.
Is Taghazout good for non-surfers?
Yes. Between yoga, the pool, the beaches, day trips and the local food and culture, partners and friends who do not surf still have plenty to enjoy.
See the Ultimate week with Essaouira and Imsouane
