There is more to Morocco than just market stalls and spices. Travel writer Sophia Epstein writes about the excitement of Moroccan surf.
The journey to Taghazout was hectic to say the least, but four hours on a rickety bus, swerving through mountains and crawling up inclines, is a small price to pay for paradise. Leaving behind the hustle and bustle of the Marrakech markets for a few days in this chilled out Berber fishing village was surreal. Famed for its waves, this is the perfect place to surf, whether youÔÇÖre a pro, have never touched a board before, or are right smack dab in the middle. I happen to fall at the inexperienced end of the spectrum, but even riding a seven-foot-something board, these Moroccan waves will make you feel like a pro – just try not to swallow too much of the seawater!
We stayed in the LÔÇÖAuberge section of Surf Maroc, a British-owned company whose surf-crazed employees are welcoming to guests of all ability levels, with surf hire and lessons all readily available for a reasonable price. We arrived just in time for their weekly all-you-can-eat BBQ on the roof, and luckily managed to find somewhere to sit in amongst the many stereotypically cool-looking surfers. It was relaxing, with the sounds of the waves crashing still audible in the background of all the ÔÇÿgetting to know youÔÇÖ conversations being had over beers brought in all the way from Agadir, the closest big city.
If youÔÇÖre not a surfer, donÔÇÖt fret; TaghazoutÔÇÖs beaches are fully equipped to entertain. If you would like to try your hand at riding a camel, a 15-minute jaunt on the one called Scooby Doo wouldnÔÇÖt cost you more than a few quid. If youÔÇÖre more interested in tanning, or just donÔÇÖt want to smell like camel, there were plenty of umbrellas and deck chairs for hire at the nearby Crocs beach; a book and some┬áhigh-intesity┬ásunscreen are all you need. The sun is not the only thing to be wary about on the beach though, as we found out when a Weever fish stung our (already sunburnt) friend.
Fortunately we had befriended the locals at the deck chair rental who casually applied a hot spoon to her foot, explaining that the heat would draw out the poison. The say disasters (no matter how small) bring people together, and as our concern turned into laughter, they produced a fresh pot of Moroccan green mint tea and stacks of fresh fruit and biscuits, providing us with another unforgettable meal in Taghazout. Food was always something to look forward to; with options ranging from pistachio yogurts at breakfast to squid tagines for dinner, no one was ever disappointed.
Taghazout offers delicious adventure in a surferÔÇÖs paradise and if you ever find yourself in need of a getaway I would not hesitate in recommending it.
 Written by Sophia Epstein