How to Read a Surf Forecast for Morocco

Why Surf Forecasting Matters in Morocco

Morocco sits at the receiving end of the entire North Atlantic Ocean. There is nothing between Newfoundland and Taghazout but 5,000 kilometres of open water, which means the swell that reaches this coast is pure, powerful, and — crucially — predictable. Unlike surfing destinations with complex island chains or fickle local wind patterns, Morocco's surf follows a set of rules that, once understood, make it one of the most forecastable destinations on the planet.

If you learn to read a surf forecast for this coastline, you will know whether Anchor Point will be firing before you even leave your riad. You will know whether to head to Imsouane for mellow longboard waves or to Tamraght for punchy beach breaks. You will know whether to surf at dawn or wait for the afternoon tide push. And most importantly, you will save yourself the frustration of driving 45 minutes to a spot only to find it flat or blown out.

In this guide, our team of Moroccan surf guides shares exactly how we read forecasts every morning — the same process we use to decide which break to take our guests to, and the same logic that helps us score the best waves in the country.

Understanding Swell: Height, Period & Direction

Every surf forecast is built on three fundamental variables. Master these three, and you can read any forecast chart in the world.

Swell Height (Wave Height)

Swell height is the vertical distance from the trough to the crest of a wave, measured in open ocean. On most forecast platforms, this is displayed in feet (ft) or metres (m). A 3 ft swell at 14 seconds can produce head-high (4–6 ft) faces at exposed breaks in Morocco. A 6 ft swell at 14 seconds produces overhead to double-overhead waves. The rule of thumb: multiply the swell height by 1.5 to 2 to estimate face height at Moroccan point breaks.

Swell Period

The swell period — the time in seconds between consecutive wave crests passing a fixed point — is arguably more important than swell height. Think of it as the quality and power indicator:

At 12–16 seconds, waves in Morocco travel at roughly 30–40 km/h in open water and pile up beautifully on the reefs and sandbars. At periods below 8 seconds, you are looking at local wind chop — fine for messing around on a foamie but not for serious surfing.

Swell Direction

Swell direction is measured in degrees (0°–360°) and indicates where the swell is coming from. In Morocco, the ideal swell direction depends on your chosen break:

• NW 300°–320°: The sweet spot. Wraps perfectly into Taghazout bay and lights up every point break from Anchor Point to Killer Point.
• WNW 290°–300°: Still good. Slightly more westerly angle, works well at beach breaks and most points.
• N 340°–360°: Passes straight by the main points but works well at northern-facing spots and Imsouane.
• W 270°: Too straight. Tends to close out across the entire bay. Beach breaks become walls of whitewater.

How to Read a Swell Chart for the Moroccan Coast

Most forecast platforms display swell data in two formats: map view (colour-coded waves animated over the ocean) and spot-specific tables (rows of data for a single location). Knowing how to interpret both is essential.

Map View: The Big Picture

On Windy or Surfline's map view, look at the North Atlantic. You want to see a large area of purple, red, or orange — these colours represent significant wave height. Next, note the arrows. On Windy, swell arrows show direction of travel. You want to see arrows pointing from the northwest towards the Moroccan coast. If the arrows are pointing south, the swell is bypassing Morocco. If they point from the west, expect closing-out conditions.

Spot-Specific View: The Detail

For a specific spot like Anchor Point, look for a table or graph showing: wave height over the next few days, swell period, swell direction, and — crucially — wind speed and direction. Most platforms let you toggle between "swell" and "wind" layers. Always check both. A perfect 6 ft NW swell at 14 seconds is useless if a 25-knot onshore wind is turning it to soup.

Wind: The Make-or-Break Factor

Wind is the single most misunderstood variable in Moroccan surf forecasting. Here is the only rule you need to remember: offshore wind grooms the waves into perfection; onshore wind destroys them.

Offshore vs. Onshore in Morocco

• Offshore (E/SE): Blowing from the land towards the sea. Holds the wave face open, creates glassy conditions, and allows the swell to stand up before breaking. In Taghazout and Tamraght, offshore wind comes from the east or southeast — the direction of the desert and the Atlas Mountains.
• Onshore (NW/W): Blowing from the sea onto the land. Makes the wave face crumble, creates chop, and pushes the swell down. This is the prevailing afternoon wind that kicks in around 11 AM–2 PM.
• Cross-shore (N or S): Blowing along the coast. Adds texture and bump to the face. Generally surfable but messy.

Wind Speed: The Goldilocks Zone

Light winds (0–8 knots) are ideal, regardless of direction — even a light onshore won't ruin a good swell. Moderate winds (8–15 knots) are surfable but you need offshore direction. Strong winds (15+ knots) — if offshore, expect difficult paddling and spray-back; if onshore, do not paddle out unless you enjoy getting slapped in the face by whitewater.

Tides: When to Paddle Out

Tides along the Moroccan Atlantic coast are semi-diurnal — two high tides and two low tides every 24 hours and 50 minutes. The tidal range varies from about 1.5 metres during neap tides to 3.5 metres during spring tides. This matters enormously for wave quality.

Seasonal Swell Patterns in Morocco

Morocco's surf seasons are driven by the North Atlantic storm cycle. Understanding this annual rhythm is the key to planning your trip:

• October–November: The season wakes up. The first large groundswells from North Atlantic storms reach Morocco. Water is still warm (19–21°C), wind is often cooperative. An excellent window for intermediates who want size without the full winter fury.
• December–February: Peak season. The North Atlantic is at its most active. Expect 6–10 ft+ swells at 12–16 seconds, multiple times per month. The wind is predominantly offshore in the mornings. Water drops to 16–17°C. This is when Anchor Point produces its most famous waves. Crowds are at their maximum.
• March–April: The shoulder. Swells remain consistent but average size drops slightly (4–6 ft). Weather is glorious — sunny, 22–28°C. Water begins warming. Many local guides consider March the single best month: world-class waves, fewer crowds, perfect weather.
• May–September: Summer season. The North Atlantic calms. Large groundswells become less frequent but still arrive every 7–14 days. Typical summer day: 2–4 ft at 8–12 seconds. Perfect for beginners and intermediates, or experienced surfers who want empty lineups and warm water.

Best Surf Forecast Apps & Websites

After years of daily use, here is our honest assessment of the best forecast tools for Morocco:

Spot-by-Spot Forecast Guide

Each break on the Moroccan coast responds differently to the same forecast. Here is what to look for:

• Anchor Point: Needs NW swell (300°–320°) of at least 3 ft at 10+ seconds. Works best on mid-tide rising. Offshore wind (E/SE) is non-negotiable for quality. On a big day (6 ft+), check if Killer Point is the better call — Anchor can max out.
• Killer Point: Works on bigger swells (5 ft+) when Anchor Point is closing out. Longer period swells (14s+) are best. Needs mid to high tide.
• Hash Point: Works on smaller, more manageable swells (2–4 ft at 10–12s). A great option when Anchor is too big. Mid-tide, any wind but onshore.
• Banana Beach (Tamraght): The most consistent beginner-to-intermediate beach break. Works on almost any swell direction from W to NW. Best at 2–5 ft at 8–12s. Mid to low tide creates steeper waves.
• Imsouane (The Bay): Needs a NW or N swell (320°–350°). Works on a wide range of sizes (2–8 ft). The sand-bottomed bay handles most tides. The longer the period, the longer the ride.

Putting It All Together: A Sample Forecast

Let us walk through a real-world forecast reading. Imagine you wake up in Taghazout on a January morning and check Windy:

1. Swell: 5 ft at 14 seconds from 310° (NW). Excellent — this is the sweet spot for Anchor Point.
2. Wind: 4 knots from the east at 7 AM, building to 18 knots from the northwest by 1 PM. Offshore window until late morning, then onshore.
3. Tide: Low tide at 5:30 AM, high tide at 11:45 AM. Rising tide all morning. Perfect.
4. Decision: Paddle out at Anchor Point at 7:30 AM. You have a 3–4 hour window of clean, glassy conditions on a rising tide with a perfect NW groundswell. By noon, when the wind swings onshore, move to Panoramas for protected beach break surf. Or have lunch and wait for the evening glass-off.

Common Forecasting Mistakes

• Mistake #1: Only checking swell size. A 10 ft swell at 6 seconds is worse than a 3 ft swell at 14 seconds. Period is king.
• Mistake #2: Ignoring tide charts. The difference between a perfect wave and a dangerous reef is often just one metre of tide height. Always check.
• Mistake #3: Using a single forecast source. Forecasts diverge. Cross-check at least two platforms before committing to a long drive.
• Mistake #4: Forgetting about local topography. Swell wraps, refracts, and shadows behind headlands. A forecast for "Taghazout" does not apply equally to every break in the bay.
• Mistake #5: Not looking at the wind forecast beyond the current reading. A glassy 7 AM can turn into a wind-ravaged mess by 10 AM. Check the hourly wind trend, not just the snapshot.

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