Taghazout in December: Surf, Weather and What to Expect
December has two distinct personalities in Taghazout. The first twenty days of the month are among the best of the year for experienced surfers — the Atlantic is fully active, the swell is consistent and powerful, and the village is quieter than at any point in the surf season. Then Christmas week arrives and everything changes: the village fills rapidly, accommodation prices spike, and the breaks become noticeably more competitive. Understanding which December you’re booking makes the month excellent or merely good.
Surf in December
December is full Atlantic swell season. North Atlantic low-pressure systems are generating swell regularly, and Morocco’s point breaks are running at their best. In terms of raw wave quality, December can match or exceed February — the difference is the winter crowd, which is more concentrated in January–February.
Swell: Average 2–4m, NW to NNW direction. Multiple swell events per week; flat spells of more than two days are uncommon in a good December.
Anchor Point fires on a near-weekly basis through December. Mysteries and Killers handle bigger swell well and are the go-to breaks for experienced surfers on the larger days. Hash Point is consistent and reliable throughout. Panoramas and Banana Point work on the smaller days for intermediate and beginner surfers.
Water temperature: 18°C — cold by summer standards. A 3/2mm wetsuit is the minimum; 4/3mm is recommended for extended morning sessions.
Wind: The offshore morning window is December’s characteristic surf condition — northeast winds from the land clean up the swell and produce the best conditions of the day, often between 7am and 11am.
Weather in December
December is the coolest month in Taghazout. Daytime temperatures average 14–19°C — not cold by northern European standards, but noticeably cooler than the warm surf season months. Evenings drop to 9–12°C, and the nights feel cold after a warm day’s surfing.
December also sees the most rainfall of the year — brief showers between long clear spells. The argan landscape greens up after the first rains. Sunset is around 5:45pm, which means afternoon sessions end in fading light.
What to pack: 3/2mm or 4/3mm wetsuit, warm fleece, windproof layer, waterproof for rain days, layers.
The Christmas–New Year Window
The December 20–January 10 period is the most intense of Taghazout’s year. Surf camps sell out. Accommodation prices increase 30–50% above standard high-season rates. The breaks are busy — particularly Hash Point, which hosts the rooftop spectators as well as the surfers. The lineup at Anchor Point on a quality December 26 swell can have 40+ surfers.
The energy is festive and lively, and for those who plan around it, the experience is memorable. The downside is purely logistical: cost and competition for waves and beds.
Best approach for the Christmas period: Book months ahead. Decide in advance whether the Christmas atmosphere is worth the premium — for many, it is. For others, arriving on December 1–18 and leaving before the rush gives the same swell quality at a fraction of the cost.
Activities in December
Paradise Valley: The pools are cold in December — more of a hike than a swim. But the gorge and the drive inland are genuinely beautiful after winter rain, with the argan trees and wadis showing their greenest.
Yoga and wellness: December is a popular month for yoga retreats — the combination of surf and meditation suits the winter energy of the village.
Agadir: The Agadir souk is particularly lively in December with pre-Eid and Christmas shopping. The beach is less appealing but the city is active.
Essaouira: Worth a December day trip — the walled medina has a distinctive winter atmosphere, and the fishing port is active. Cooler and windier than summer but genuinely atmospheric.
Who December Suits
Best for: Experienced surfers arriving December 1–18, who get peak swell quality with October-like crowd levels. Those who specifically want the Christmas surf-holiday experience and have booked months in advance.
Less ideal for: Surfers arriving December 20–January 5 without pre-booked accommodation; budget travellers (December 20–January 5 is expensive); beginners who need small, clean conditions — December swell is often powerful.
December at a Glance
| Swell | Excellent (2–4m NW) |
| Daytime temp | 14–19°C |
| Water temp | 18°C |
| Wetsuit | 3/2mm minimum, 4/3mm recommended |
| Crowds | Low–moderate Dec 1–18; very high Dec 20–Jan 5 |
| Accommodation | High season rates; peak premium Dec 20–Jan 5 |
Planning Tips
Early December (December 1–18) is one of the best-value windows in the surf calendar — excellent swell, lower prices, and manageable lineups. For the Christmas period, book four to six months ahead. Arriving on December 21 without a reservation is a gamble in a village with limited beds.
Taghazout in January — continues the surf season Taghazout in November — similar conditions, less festive intensity Best time to visit Taghazout — full seasonal breakdown
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is December a good month for surfing in Taghazout?
- Early December (December 1–20) is excellent — peak Atlantic swell with relatively low crowds. The Christmas and New Year period (December 20–January 10) is the busiest and most expensive window of the year, but surf quality is exceptional if you can tolerate the crowds.
- How cold is Taghazout in December?
- Daytime temperatures average 14–19°C — cool but pleasant in the sun. Evenings drop to 9–12°C and a jacket is needed. Water temperature is 18°C; a 3/2mm or 4/3mm wetsuit is essential.
- Is December crowded in Taghazout?
- Early December is not crowded — one of the better months for swell quality without the February crowds. Christmas week (December 20–27) and New Year (December 28–January 5) are the busiest periods of the entire year and prices peak accordingly.