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The essentials in three lines

  • SDR Tourisme Souss-Massa puts the best surfing conditions between September and March: in winter, the swell generated by North Atlantic storms arrives from the north-west, with a longer period and more size than in summer.
  • From October to January, the average offshore swell rises from about 1.2 m to 1.5 m, and the water cools from about 20-21.5 °C to 16.5-18.5 °C: a 3/2 mm in autumn, a 4/3 mm in January.
  • On the car side: unlimited mileage to switch spots at dawn, roof bars as an option to request when you book, and no unsurfaced tracks: you park where the tarmac ends.

You are arriving in Agadir in mid-October with a board in its bag, or you are planning a week of lessons during the December school holidays. What remains is knowing which waves to expect each month, which wetsuit to pack, at what tide to paddle out and how to get organised with the car before daybreak. The spots and parking are covered in detail in our article on roof bars and surfboards ; here, we talk about the season, with figures to back it up.

Why winter is the high season for surfing in Agadir

The Souss-Massa Regional Tourism Development Company (SDR) is clear: the best surfing conditions run from September to March. Spring is slightly less consistent, as it is the windy period, and summer can stay flat for a long time.

The reason is the swell. Météo-France distinguishes it from wind sea, which is raised locally and fairly chaotic: swell has formed elsewhere and travelled a long way. And North Atlantic storms happen mostly in winter : from 1980 to June 2021, Météo-France notes, 20 of the 25 major storms that hit France occurred between December and March. The waves they raise travel hundreds, even thousands of kilometres, and reach the Agadir coast from the north-west.

Open-Meteo's wave model, a few kilometres off Taghazout, confirms it: the average swell period is around 6 seconds in July and August, and close to 10 seconds in December and January. A longer period is the sign of a stronger, larger storm, and of a swell that has travelled further: more widely spaced, more regular waves. One last factor, the wind: when it swings round to the east, the SDR notes, the whole region offers high-quality waves.

From October to January: what changes, month by month

The averages in the table come from the same model, offshore: five seasons for the swell (October 2021 to January 2026), three to four for the water. On the beach, the wave can be noticeably smaller or bigger depending on how exposed the spot is, and years differ: in December, the average swell has ranged from about 1 m to 2 m.

October : the season settles in, the swell rarely exceeds 2 m and the water stays mild, a comfortable month to start or to get back into it. November : the period lengthens towards 9 seconds and the water loses about one degree. December : the heart of the season, with a swell of at least 2 m about a fifth of the time. January : the longest-period swell and the coolest water.

Month Average offshore swell, approx. Average period, approx. Share of time with a swell of at least 2 m Water (monthly average) Wetsuit, manufacturer's guide
July-August, for comparison 1,1 m 6 s Almost never 19 à 21,5 °C 2 mm or 3/2 mm
October 1.2 m (0.9 to 1.35 m depending on the year) 8,5 s About 6% 20 à 21,5 °C 3/2 mm
November 1,3 m (0,9 à 1,7 m) 9 s About 13% 19,5 à 20 °C 3/2 mm
December 1,5 m (1 à 2 m) 9,5 s About 21% 17 à 19 °C 3/2 mm or 4/3 mm
January 1,5 m (1,1 à 2,1 m) 10 s About 24% 16,5 à 18,5 °C 4/3 mm

Wetsuit, tides and level: what to plan for

Wetsuit manufacturer O'Neill's guide gives a rule of thumb: a 3/2 mm (or a 4/3 mm) for water at 18 to 20 °C, a 4/3 mm (or even a 5/4 mm) from 12 to 17 °C. A 3/2 mm is enough in October and November; in December, take the 4/3 mm if you feel the cold or stay in the water for a long time; in January, it becomes the most comfortable. On land, the average minimum temperature in Agadir, according to Open-Meteo's records from 2016 to 2025, drops from about 17.5 °C in October to 11 °C in January: bring a poncho or a large towel to get changed.

The coast has two high tides and two low tides a day, shifting on average by about 50 minutes from one day to the next. The range between high and low water varies a lot : in Météo Consult Marine's tables for October 2026, it exceeds 2.5 m at spring tides and falls below 1 m at neap tides. Each spot has its own tide: the official Anchor Point page states that the wave works outside high tide, except in a huge swell. Check the tide times the day before.

As for level, surf schools take beginners to spots with a mainly sandy bottom, according to the SDR. A point break like Anchor Point, which needs a long-period north-westerly swell, is for experienced surfers : its official page warns that the take-off there is difficult. If you are a beginner, go through a school, especially in December and January, when the swell is bigger on average.

Leaving at dawn: the car, in the morning

According to Open-Meteo, daylight lasts about 11 hours 30 minutes in mid-October and a little over 10 hours in December; in January, the sun rises about an hour later than in early October. If the right tide comes early, you leave in the dark: get everything ready the night before, board, dry wetsuit, towels and a container of fresh water.

Taghazout is about 23 km from central Agadir, a 20 to 30 minute drive depending on traffic (OSRM calculation); parking is covered in detail in Agadir – Taghazout by car. With unlimited mileage, checking the waves at two beaches before choosing makes no difference to the price, and our assistance is available 24/7.

Roof bars are an option to mention in your booking request ; we confirm availability and the price. Once there, our rental conditions prohibit unsurfaced tracks, except for vehicles expressly suited to them: if the way to a beach turns into a dirt track, stop where the tarmac ends and finish on foot.

Sand, wet wetsuits and the last session

The basics, rinsing with fresh water and putting the wet wetsuit in a bag or a tub, are in our article on roof bars. In winter, the nights are cool: dry your wetsuit inside your accommodation, not in the boot. Car cleaning is a flat cleaning fee of €10, charged only once per booking; shake out towels and board bag before getting back in.

One last session on the morning you leave? Leave yourself some margin: we advise returning the car 2 hours before your flight. If you are more than 2 hours late without prior agreement, a full day is charged: let us know on WhatsApp if you want to return it later. And if you are staying several weeks for the season, see what changes with a one-month hire in Agadir.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to surf in Agadir?

SDR Tourisme Souss-Massa puts the best conditions between September and March. According to the Open-Meteo model, the average swell grows from October to January; October and November offer smaller waves and warmer water.

Which wetsuit for surfing in Agadir in winter?

A 3/2 mm in October and November, with water at about 19.5 to 21.5 °C. In January, at around 16.5 to 18.5 °C, a 4/3 mm is more comfortable. December falls between the two.

Can you start surfing in Agadir in winter?

Yes, with a surf school, which will take you to a spot with a mainly sandy bottom. October and November offer, on average, a smaller swell than December and January.

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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