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The first time we heard of Imsouane was on our initial trip to Taghazout in 2023 and at the time we made a promise that on our next trip (little did we know it would only be a year later) we would visit the legendary Imsouane.
A week before we arrived in Morocco, we’d read the news that Imsouane had been destroyed and watched emotive videos showing homes and businesses in ruin. After speaking to the team at the O Experience, we decided to make the journey and see if the magic of Imsouane was still alive.
From our perspective, we are unable to give a comparison to what the village of Imsouane was before, after many conversations and looking through pictures we were able to get a better understanding of what has been lost and what now remains.
As with many things you read on the news, it can be hard to know the full picture unless you are there to see it for yourself. When we arrived in Imsouane, we instantly realised this was the case and social media had depicted the whole of Imsouane demolished.
We were deeply saddened by those areas which have been destroyed and it somewhat tainted our experience of what we had envisioned before reading the news. We’ll discuss this in more detail in our section on whether we think it’s worthwhile visiting Imsouane later in the guide.
That being said, we did experience the magic of Imsouane and can only imagine its golden era. Imsouane is the definition of laid back and as you wander the streets you quickly forget the time, deeply inhale the fresh ocean air and is somewhere where your worries seem just to slip away.
The laid-back vibe of Imsouane is infectious, you may not want to leave and some never do. A small, yet charming fishing village in the northern area of the Sous-Massa region in Morocco, Imsouane has been a surf spot since the 1960s, captivating surfers worldwide.
Boasting Africa’s longest wave, Imsouane is a quiet coastal oasis with the perfect combination of warm weather and endless waves. The majestic sandstone cliffs flawlessly frame the endless rolling waves, creating the most spectacular backdrop which illuminates a warm orange glow at sunset.
This guide to Imsouane will share what to expect if you plan to visit in 2024, what to know if you plan to drive in Morocco and whether it’s worth visiting from Taghazout.
Where is Imsouane?
Imsouane is located in the northwestern region of Sous-Massa in Morocco, close to the border of the Marrakesh-Safi region to the north. The village is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and is found between Essaouira and Taghazout. To reach Imsouane from Taghazout, the drive takes you along the beautiful Moroccan coastline which takes around 1 hour.
What is Imsouane known for?
Primarily known as a quaint fishing village on the Atlantic Ocean, Imsouane is abundant in fish and the fishing harbour and port were built with the help of Japanese funding in 1998. Enjoy fresh fish cooked in the harbour and watch the fishermen come in and out of the harbour whilst you enjoy the delicious catch of the day.
In the 1960s, surfing boomed along the Atlantic coast of Morocco, with surf camps and surf shops starting up and Imsouane became a well-kept secret for a while. Magic Bay boasts one of the longest surfable waves in the world and the longest in Africa. It is also one of the easiest reef breaks to ride and can be ridden for over 700 metres. It’s also a fantastic place to learn to surf, with beautiful rolling waves perfect for everyone to enjoy.
How to get to Imsouane?
The closest airport is Essaouira Mogador Airport which takes around 1hr 26mins along N1, however, Agadir Al-Massira International Airport has a larger selection of flight options and will take over 2 hours from the city. If you have the time we’d recommend exploring Agadir for the day, read our detailed guide on the best things to do in Agadir.
We flew to Agadir International Airport from Gatwick Airport in the UK and the flight took just over 3 hours. There are good budget flights from the UK to Morocco, with many new direct flights being added to Agadir.
The easiest way to get Imsouane from Taghazout, Tamraght, Agadir, Essaouira and Marrakesh is to take the Souk To Surf minibus. From Taghazout, it costs 130 dirhams (€12) per person one way and 193 dirhams (€18) for a return and you must book online.
A little more expensive but very convenient is to get a taxi, expect to pay around 400 to 600 dirhams for a direct taxi. It is possible to get a shared taxi (also known as a grand taxi) from the Agadir bus station to Imsouane which is much cheaper around 100 dirhams for one way.
If you are comfortable with driving in Morocco (more on this later), rent a hire car for the duration of your trip giving you the ultimate freedom to explore the coast and you can stop at places along the way. Fuel is relatively cheap it costs us 770 dirhams for a full tank (€70) we only used a quarter of a tank so learn from our mistakes and don’t fill up a whole tank unless you plan on driving a lot or staying for over a week.
What is it like to drive to Imsouane from Taghazout?
If you are driving in a rented car from Taghazout to Imsouane, there are a few worthwhile spots to stop at along the way. It will take around 1 hour to drive, the N1 road is a national route that runs along the coast of Morocco and has some of the most breathtaking views.
One of the first places to visit is the colourful village of Aghroud, Morocco a chilled village with a beautiful beach which is close to Desert Point a point break great for surfing. Our favourite discovery along this route was Boilers Cafe, a relaxed café right on the seafront where you can watch the surfers catch the crashing waves at Boilers Point. The owners of the cafe were very friendly and happy to see us, you can’t see the cafe from the road, it’s hidden behind the rocks and looks like just a big car park at first glance.
After stopping at Boilers Cafe, continue along the N1 where you’ll pass through Tamri National Park one of the most scenic drives, look out for wild camels and birds along this stretch. The next worthwhile stop is Tamri Beach, this spectacular sandy beach is popular with surfers and there is a viewpoint on the side of the road for you to admire it from a higher viewpoint. Tamri village is known for growing bananas in the fertile river valley, this is one of the last places to get fuel and money from the ATM at Banque Populaire before you reach Imsouane.
A popular spot to explore from Tamri is the Timalin Dunes, also known as ‘Le Petit Desert’, a mini desert where you can enjoy sandboarding, a buggy experience or just walking among these impressive dunes. The last place we would recommend stopping on your way is once you reach the top of the cliffs, past all the Argan trees you’ll pass a football pitch on the left and there is a panoramic viewpoint which looks over Imsouane where you’ll first get a glimpse of Magic Bay.
What is it like to drive in Morocco?
After speaking to other visitors who opted for a taxi instead of renting a car, their main reason was because of safety and that they thought that it was a bit mad to drive on Moroccan roads. From our experience along the coast of Agadir, Taghazout and Imsouane, local drivers are very relaxed, some will cruise at low speeds and mostly the taxis are in a rush.
The main thing to remember is to drive on the right-hand side of the road, the rest is mostly self-explanatory, there are road signs including red stop signs which you must come to a complete stop before continuing.
In cities like Agadir and Marrakesh, there is more traffic, including more taxis and Morocco is undergoing a huge construction phase. The main thing to look out for when driving in Morocco is bikes, they will come alongside the car and snake between vehicles so is worth checking your mirrors when switching lanes or going around a roundabout.
There are several Police checks along the coastal road, most of the ones we saw were around Agadir and Taghazout. Make sure you carry your driving licence, passport and rental paperwork with you at all times whilst driving if you are stopped.
We’d recommend downloading Maps.me or Google Maps for the area you will be staying as the signal can be unreliable in places, especially further away from Agadir and Taghazout and if you are not planning on buying internet or using the hotel/hostel WiFi then don’t forget to download offline maps before arriving in Morocco.
How to get around Imsouane?
Imsouane is relatively small and mostly accessible on foot and it takes around 10 minutes to walk from one side of the village to the other. If you plan to explore a bit further from the village then a bike, car or taxi is your best option.
What to take with you whilst visiting Imsouane?
There are no ATMs in Imsouane, this is a small fishing village with limited facilities. Make sure to bring enough cash with you, the nearest ATM is in Tamri at Banque Populaire, located on the main high street which is around a 20-minute drive from Imsouane.
Imsouane has a pharmacy, bakery, small convenience shops, and surf shops where you will find most of the things you’ll need during your stay. Some of the hotels will accept credit cards but it is worth checking beforehand.
Many of the hostels and hotels will provide you will towels to use for the bathroom during your stay, however many do not allow you to take them to the beach, pack a microfibre towel or lightweight scarf as a towel for the beach if you plan to swim or sunbathe.
When is the best time to visit Imsouane?
Temperatures in Imsouane are cooled by an Atlantic breeze, due to its coastal location. However, throughout the year warm temperatures average 26°C and there is little rain due to its semi-arid climate. This makes Imsouane a popular destination throughout the year especially in the winter months (northern hemisphere) to escape the cold, dark days for a dose of vitamin D and warm sunshine.
For surfing in Imsouane, the best waves are usually from November to March which can be the busiest time to visit and the whole season runs from October to June. We visited in late January/early February and whilst many surfers were enjoying the long wave, if you got up early in the morning you find fewer surfers. As we are beginner surfers, we enjoyed catching the whitewater and green waves in Magic Bay and didn’t feel crowded.
The best time to visit is to avoid weekends if possible, many from Taghazout and the surrounding areas will visit Imsouane for a getaway or change of scene. If you want to avoid crowds and looking to surf the longest wave in Magic Bay, it’s worth coming in September or October if the conditions are good and outside of school holidays.
What to know before visiting Imsouane?
The main language in Morocco is Arabic and the native language spoken across the majority of the Sous-Massa region is Shilha, also known as Tashelhiyt or Tashelhit. The language is mostly spoken by Amazighs also known as Berbers who have used it for centuries. It’s worth learning a few basic Arabic or Tashelhit phrases and many also speak French and English.
The internet is most reliable in the larger towns and cities and the internet can be unreliable in Imsouane. While staying at the O Experience there was fairly decent hotel WiFi but was not always reliable, if you plan to do remote working it might be worth doing a bit more research for decent internet.
The best option if you are looking to get internet during your stay is to buy a SIM card from corner shops in Taghazout or Agadir. An alternative option is buying an e-sim which can be more expensive but is easy to do online and very convenient, the cost of which depends on the duration of your stay.
We’d recommend downloading Google Maps or Maps.me for navigation and getting around, it’s not necessary in Imsouane as most places are easy to find and easily accessed on foot. However, if you’re driving then make sure to download offline Google Maps for navigation.
Is Imsouane worth visiting? What happened to Imsouane in January 2024?
If you're looking for a place with a friendly, relaxed atmosphere, incredible scenery, consistent rolling waves for surfing, some of the most beautiful beaches in the world and fresh seafood, then Imsouane is a very good choice.
In January 2024, part of the village was demolished (not all of it as was suggested by social media), including Tasblast the oldest and most beautiful part of the village. Many of the houses were built in the 1980s, a surf community was created and surf tourism started in Imsouane. Unfortunately, many of the homes and businesses built in Imsouane, especially along the coast were built on unlicensed and public land.
Whilst it is unknown the reasons as to why this has happened, many speculate after the earthquake in 2023 that many of these buildings were unsafe and that it may be as a result of enabling the development of the area ready for the World Cup in 2030. Many have been affected by the demolition of their homes and businesses, leaving locals to uproot their homes in Imsouane and given 24 hours to evacuate, but many knew that this was potentially going to happen one day.
When we visited in February 2024, there was still rubble being removed and lots of construction in Imsouane. It will take time for the village to recover from this massive transition, whilst there are still restaurants, hostels, hotels and surf shops those who remain are hopeful that Imsouane will be restored to the charming, laid-back village it always was.
Videos and photos on social media depicted that the whole village of Imsouane was destroyed when in reality, there are still some hotels, restaurants, surf schools and locals living here - surrounded by scars of the demolition uprooting a long-established community. Do not put off your trip to Insouane, if you're looking for incredible surf, a laid-back and friendly community, delicious Moroccan seafood and a place to get away from it all then this is your place - it may take a while for Imsouane to get back on its feet but give it a chance.
What is the future of Imsouane?
Recently published online, the plan is to build new hotels, hostels and campsites in Imsouane to cater to the growth of tourism in the area. A large boardwalk is planned to be built along Cathedral Beach, where the previous Tasblast area once was. We hope that these plans will adhere to the authenticity and history of Imsouane, whilst not losing the memory of what was once there before.
What are the best things to do in Imsouane?
Surfing is the most popular activity in Imsouane and has a much more relaxed and chilled atmosphere in comparison to Taghazout. It is quickly becoming a worldwide favourite for many surfers.
On the western side of Imsouane, Cathedral Point is best for experienced surfers and the waves are best usually at low or high tide. The sunsets from Imsouane Beach are incredible, in the evenings vans and cars will be parked along the road adjacent to the beach, where skaters will enjoy a cruise. Rubble is slowly being removed from the Tasblast area, please be careful when accessing the beach.
We’d recommend walking past Ocean Point campsite, along the northern cliff of the beach for a lovely spot to enjoy the sunset and watch the surfers catching the last waves of the day.
The village has several surf shops to explore and surfboard repair shops. Take a wander around the streets and explore the harbour where fresh fish is brought every day to the fish market. You can pay for your fish and have it cooked in the harbour. We’d recommend spending time in the harbour watching the surfers and fishermen, it is a truly relaxing and mesmerising experience where time seems to pass without any concept of what time of day it is.
On the eastern side of Imsouane, The Bay also known as Magic Bay is a sheltered beach with one of the longest waves in the world and is ideal for longboarding. There is easy access to the beach by steps, you must be aware of tide times as the beach can mostly disappear at high tide.
The waves at Magic Bay are perfect for beginners and experienced surfers. For those wanting to ride the wave from the back, it starts around the port and you must be aware of fishing boats coming in and out of the harbour. What makes this spot particularly beautiful are the sandstone cliffs which create a monumental landscape behind the rolling barrels.
There are beach vendors who walk up and down the beach selling fresh fruit, tea and doughnuts they are very chill and not pushy at all. Crafts are also sold along the steps where you enter and exit the beach.
Where are the Best Places to eat in Imsouane?
Currently, in Imsouane there are limited options for restaurants and cafés compared to before the demolition. There are still a few to choose from and we’ve put together our favourites that we would recommend.
One thing to bear in mind, as there are fewer food places in Imsouane the stray animals are much more hungry. The locals do try and feed as many of them as they can, however, this can be difficult, and expensive and what we found was that they love the taste of chicken tagine and will use distraction techniques to get a portion!
Les 3S Restaurant
This restaurant is located close to the roundabout and there are two other restaurants along this stretch. As you walk in you’ll notice the tables have cat scratch posts as table legs (similar to what we have in our campervan). They serve burgers, barbeque, fresh fish, kefta, tagine, and shrimp and the cats will keep you company.
Chez Karim
The restaurant is on the corner on your way to the harbour, you won’t miss it. Whilst the decor may be more basic, don’t let it put you off. The staff are very friendly, food is very affordable and tasty. When we arrived we were told it was a couscous night and given very generous portions, a great place to come after a day of surf. We’d recommend the tagine and BBQ grilled chicken.
Chez Jolo
This is the place to go if you’re looking for fresh seafood and great ocean views. We visited during the day and enjoyed grilled tuna and Moroccan tea with a lovely view of the harbour. The restaurant is right next to the water tower with umbrellas offering shade from the sun. Take a seat at Chez Jolo, and enjoy the laidback atmosphere, friendly staff and great food at very affordable prices.
The O Experience
Serving some of the best smoothie bowls in the area, we’d highly recommend getting a mango tango smoothie bowl. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner options harnessing the concept of slow food, using natural, organic and healthy ingredients that are sourced locally.
The menu will change depending on the availability of ingredients and serves fresh juices, smoothie bowls, smoothies, traditional Moroccan meals, quesadillas and salads. The dinner menu offers both meat and vegetarian/vegan options and is dependent on the day of the week what is available.
TARSA Boulangerie
A friendly bakery close to the main road which leads in and out of Imsouane, there are delicious cakes, pastries and freshly baked bread to treat yourself after a surf.
SurfSide Sushi
This sushi restaurant is just around the corner from the Boulangerie, fresh sushi at an affordable price what more could you want?!
Where to stay in Imsouane?
The O Experience
The O Experience is a wonderful Boutique Hotel is located right next to Magic Bay, making it very convenient to get out for a morning surf! When you step into the O, the space has been immaculately designed and furnished. Every corner of the hotel is beautiful, with potted plants, cosy seating areas and a calm space that will make you feel at ease. It’s the ultimate surf house, with an enviable quiver, delicious fresh food and breathtaking views directly from the property. Book your stay at this incredible surf hotel in Imsouane for an unforgettable trip.
