en_GB English
en_GB English de_DE Deutsch fr_FR Français es_ES Español it_IT Italiano nl_NL Nederlands pl_PL Polski
Book now
Surf spots

Anchor Point, Taghazout: Morocco’s Most Famous Wave

Everything about Anchor Point: where the name comes from, how the wave breaks, when it works, who it is for, the pro contest held there, and how to watch it from the rocks.

By Mouad 4 min read

Surfers and onlookers sit on rocky shore observing a large wave breaking. A common sight near a surfcamp Taghazout, Morocco, known for its excellent surfing conditions.
Surfers watching a big day from the rocks near Taghazout

In short: Anchor Point is a long right-hand point break just north of Taghazout village. On a good north-west swell in winter it peels for hundreds of metres along a rocky headland. It is for experienced surfers only, and one of the best places on the coast to sit and watch.

Type
Right-hand point break
Level
Intermediate to expert
Best swell
Medium to large, north-west
Best wind
North-east to east (offshore)
Season
September / October to March
From our surf house
About 15 minutes by car
Taghazout village from the sea; Anchor Point is just north of the village
Taghazout village from the sea; Anchor Point is just north of the village Photo: AJSPARK4444, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Where the name comes from

“Anchor Point” is the name surfers use. Locally the spot is known as Almadraba, the word for an old way of catching bluefin tuna with walls of nets that guide the fish into a trap. The fishing grounds off this headland were rich, and the name stayed. You will also hear surfers call it “Anka”.

A wave with history

Travelling surfers are said to have ridden the point from the 1960s, at a time when Taghazout was only a fishing village. Since then it has become the most famous wave in Morocco and the reason many surfers first came to the area. Today it is also a contest wave: the World Surf League has run its Pro Taghazout Bay Qualifying Series event at Anchor Point, with editions in 2020, 2023 and 2025.

How the wave breaks

The swell wraps around the headland and peels to the right along a rock shelf. On a good day the walls run for hundreds of metres, and there are several take-off zones, which spreads the crowd a little. It can be rideable from about a metre and holds swell well over head height, when it becomes fast and powerful.

A barrelling wave on a big day near Taghazout
A barrelling wave on a big day near Taghazout Photo: Hassan Ingram, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

When it works

  • Swell: medium to large north-west swells, the kind the North Atlantic sends in autumn and winter.
  • Wind: north-east to east is offshore. Mornings are often cleanest.
  • Tide: local guides differ; low to mid tide is often given as best, and bigger swells can work higher up the tide.
  • Season: roughly September or October to March. In summer it is often too small.

Not sure how to read the numbers? See our guide to reading the surf report for Taghazout.

Who it is for

Anchor Point is for confident surfers who can paddle hard, read a lineup and get in and out over rocks. It is not a place to learn: the paddle is long, the currents are strong and the take-off zones are crowded with good surfers. If you are a beginner or improver, the sandy beaches south of Taghazout are where you will progress fastest. See our guide to Taghazout's beaches.

Hazards

  • Rocks: getting in and out means jumping off and climbing back onto rocks, which is hard when the whitewater is pushing.
  • Currents and backwash: on big days the water moves fast along the point.
  • Crowds: respect the priority rules: do not drop in, do not snake, and hold on to your board.

How to get there

Anchor Point is on the coast road (N1) just north of Taghazout village, on the left when you drive north. There is a car park in front of the break where vendors often sell tea and coffee. From our surf house in Aourir it is about 15 minutes by car; on the days it is the right spot for your level, our van takes you there.

Watching from the rocks

Even if you do not surf it, go and watch on a big day. Sit on the rocks or at the car park with a mint tea and watch the best surfers on the coast link long rides down the point, ideally in the morning before the wind picks up.

Frequently asked questions

Can beginners surf Anchor Point?

No. It is a powerful, crowded point with a rocky entry. Beginners should learn on the sandy beaches south of Taghazout.

When is the best time to surf Anchor Point?

From about September or October to March, on a medium to large north-west swell with offshore north-east to east winds.

Is there a surf contest at Anchor Point?

Yes. The World Surf League’s Pro Taghazout Bay Qualifying Series event has been held there, with editions in 2020, 2023 and 2025.

Surf the right spot for your level every day: our Classic week drives experienced surfers to the best spot each morning, and our surf lessons start on the gentle beaches.

Sources

Mouad

Mouad runs Surf Camp Morocco in Taghazout and writes about surfing, the bay and travelling in Morocco.

All articles