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The essentials in three lines

  • Roof bars are a Carsalis option to request when you book: we confirm availability and the price along with the car.
  • On the bars, the board goes deck down, fins up, on foam pads, held by two buckle straps. Rinse it with fresh water and leave the sand on the beach.
  • Tamraght, Taghazout and Imsouane can be reached via the N1 and tarmac roads. Park on the tarmac, never on sand or on a dirt track.

You are arriving in Agadir with a board bag, or you plan to take lessons in Tamraght or Taghazout. You want to set off early and switch beaches if the waves are not there: you need a car, and a tidy way to carry the boards. Here is how to get roof bars from Carsalis, how to strap a board down, and which spots you can reach without leaving the tarmac.

The roof bar option: where to find it and when to ask for it

Roof bars are one of our options, just like the baby seat. Our frequently asked questions say so: list the options you want in your request. On the Dacia Sandero, Dacia Logan, Renault Clio 5 and Skoda Rapid pages, the form offers a “Roof bars” box directly. For any other model, just ask.

The right time is the booking request, not the day of delivery. On WhatsApp or through our booking request, give your dates, the pick-up location, the words “roof bars”, the number of boards and their length. We confirm availability and the price, usually within a minute, and point you towards a suitable car from our vehicles.

Our options list roof bars, not straps or foam pads: if you have your own, slip them into your board bag; if not, ask about them in your request. On the other hand, there is no need for a 4×4 for the spots in this article: all of them can be reached by tarmac road. Mileage is unlimited, so checking Tamraght at dawn and then Taghazout makes no difference to the price, and assistance is available 24/7.

Carrying a board on the roof bars

Lay the board deck down, fins up, on foam pads slipped over the bars. With two boards, the longer one goes underneath. Keep them in their bags, to protect them from the sun and from rubbing.

Use two buckle straps, one per bar, never bungee cords. Tighten without crushing the rails. A half-twist in the strap between the bars stops it vibrating and humming; tuck away the loose end so it does not flap in the wind.

Check the straps after the first few kilometres, then at every stop. Drive more gently: a board on the roof catches the wind. Mind the height too: avoid covered car parks and low height barriers. A short board can travel inside, in its bag, as long as it does not block the driver's view.

Sand and salt: good habits after your session

Rinse your board and wetsuit with fresh water as soon as the session is over: a jerrycan of a few litres in the boot is enough. Shake out towels, board bag and shoes before getting back in, put the wet wetsuit in a large bag or a tub, and sit on a dry towel. Cleaning is charged as a flat fee, only once per booking, but sand left inside the car stays with you for the rest of your trip.

One habit to avoid: hiding the key on a wheel or under the bumper. Keep it in a waterproof pouch or leave it with someone staying on the beach, and leave nothing visible in the car.

The spots north of Agadir, reachable by tarmac road

The spots are strung out along National Road 1, the tarmac coast road towards Essaouira. Distances and times: route calculation cross-checked with SDR Tourisme Souss-Massa, driving time without stops.

Aourir and Tamraght : 15 to 18 km, 20 to 25 minutes. Banana Point and Devil's Rock are among the spots where surf schools take beginners.

Taghazout : about 25 km, 20 to 30 minutes. You leave the N1 to drop down into the village. At the northern tip of the village, Anchor Point, a world-famous wave, is for experienced surfers: if you are a beginner, stay around Tamraght instead.

Imsouane : 95 to 100 km, 1 hr 45 to 2 hours. Follow the N1 north, then turn left towards the coast: the road down to the village and the harbour is tarmac. The bay is known for longboarding, and its beach least exposed to the swell is suitable for children.

If you collect the car at Agadir Al Massira airport, where delivery is free, allow about 45 km and 45 minutes to 1 hour to Taghazout. As for the season, SDR Tourisme puts the best conditions from September to March; spring, the windy season, is less consistent, and summer can stay flat for long spells.

Spot From Agadir Driving time Access Who it suits
Banana Point, Devil's Rock (Aourir, Tamraght) 15 to 18 km 20 to 25 min N1, between Aourir and Tamraght Beginners, surf schools
Anchor Point (northern tip of Taghazout) About 25 km 25 to 30 min N1, a few hundred metres past the village Experienced surfers
Imsouane Bay 95 to 100 km 1 h 45 à 2 h N1, then tarmac road to the harbour Longboarding, sheltered beach for children

Parking near the spots

Rule number one: park on the tarmac. The sandy paths leading down to some beaches count as tracks, and our rental conditions prohibit unpaved tracks, unless the vehicle is expressly suited to them. Park in a car park or on a tarmac verge and finish on foot, board under your arm.

À Taghazout, the main beach draws crowds during and after the summer holidays, SDR Tourisme warns: arrive early and park at the entrance to the village. We cover parking in detail in Agadir – Taghazout by car. À Aourir and Tamraght, the N1 stays busy: unload on the beach side, never on the traffic side. In Imsouane, leave the car near the village or the harbour and walk down to the bay.

Frequently asked questions

Can you hire a car with roof bars in Agadir?

Yes. At Carsalis, it is an option to mention in your booking request. We confirm availability and the price along with the car.

Do you need a 4×4 to go surfing north of Agadir?

No. Tamraght, Taghazout and Imsouane can be reached via the N1 and tarmac roads. Unpaved tracks are not allowed, unless the vehicle is expressly suited to them.

How long does it take to drive from Agadir to Imsouane?

Allow 1 hr 45 to 2 hours for 95 to 100 km. With unlimited mileage, the return trip makes no difference to the price.

Sources

Written by the Carsalis team, in Agadir. We have been hiring out cars from our office at 4 Bis rue Moulay Driss since 2008. What you are reading here comes from our own rental conditions and from what our customers ask us every week on WhatsApp.

A question about your rental in Agadir? Write to us on WhatsApp at +212 648 291 116, or use our booking request. We usually reply within the minute, and we tell you straight whether the car is free or not.

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