January in Taghazout brings 14-18°C days, 9-12°C nights and 17-18°C water, with only brief showers between long clear spells. January is one of Taghazout’s most consistent surf months, and for surfers who arrive after the New Year rush, it’s one of the best times to visit. The swells that have been building since November are still firing, the village settles into a quieter rhythm, and the days are clear and mild. There’s a reason experienced wave-chasers keep targeting January.
NW Groundswell Firing: Anchor Point and Mysteries at 2–4m
January sits firmly inside Taghazout’s prime swell window. North Atlantic low-pressure systems push consistent swell south towards the Moroccan coast every week, with Anchor Point, Mysteries, and Killers all capable of producing exceptional sessions.
Swell: Average 2–4m, NW to NNW direction. Multiple swell events per week in a good January, with occasional flat spells of a day or two between systems.
Anchor Point is the standout - the long right-hand point break runs at its best in mid-to-large January swell, with rides of 150–300m possible on lined-up NW groundswell. Mysteries is powerful and consistent. Hash Point handles the crowds and works on smaller days between bigger swell events. Imsouane, an hour north, is worth the drive on smaller or cleaner swells.
Water temperature: 17–18°C. A 3/2mm wetsuit is the minimum; 4/3mm is recommended if you run cold or plan long morning sessions.
Wind: Early mornings are often offshore or light - the sharpest window of the day. Onshore winds tend to build from the southwest through the afternoon.
Most visiting surfers book a surf package in Taghazout for January - camp-based coaching and guided sessions make the most of the consistent swell, and packages book out faster than any other month outside February.
14–18°C Days, Offshore Mornings: Mild Atlantic Winter
Daytime temperatures average 14–18°C - mild enough for a t-shirt in midday sun, but layers are needed for early morning paddleouts and evenings. Nights drop to 9–12°C on the coast.
A Berber tent at the foot of a large Saharan dune.
January sees occasional rain showers, typically brief, between long clear spells. The argan landscape along the road to Paradise Valley shows some green at this time of year. Days are shorter (sunset around 6:15pm), so morning sessions are the priority.
What to pack: 3/2 or 4/3 wetsuit, fleece or light jacket for evenings, layers for the day.
New Year Rush Clears After January 10: Mid-Month Value Window
The first two weeks of January - especially January 1–10 - carry the tail end of the New Year’s crowd. After that, numbers drop noticeably. Mid-to-late January is among the quieter periods within the high surf season, which is useful for those who want consistent swell without peak-season competition in the lineup.
Accommodation remains at high-season rates, but availability improves post–January 10. Booking a week ahead is usually sufficient for mid-January; last-minute options exist that wouldn’t be available in February.
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Whale Watching in January
January and February are the peak months for cetacean sightings along the Souss-Massa coast south of Agadir. Common dolphins are encountered on most boat trips year-round, but January brings humpback whales and fin whales moving through the deep Atlantic waters off the Moroccan coast as part of their winter migration routes.
Boat-based whale watching trips depart from Agadir port (20 minutes from Taghazout). Trips typically run 3–4 hours and cover the offshore zone between Agadir and Cap Rhir. Humpback whale sightings are not guaranteed but January offers the highest probability of the year - multiple operators report sightings on the majority of trips during January–February. Common dolphins often appear in pods of 50–200 animals and are encountered on nearly every trip. Bottlenose dolphins are frequently spotted close to the Cap Rhir headland. Book with a DSWF-certified operator where possible; the Agadir Marine Conservancy runs responsible tours with naturalist guides.
Non-surf days in a strong January swell window are when whale watching trips make the most sense - the offshore conditions that produce good surf on the coast are also when deep-water marine life moves close to shore.
Quiet Beaches in January
Between Taghazout and Tamraght, a series of smaller beaches - Aourir, Banana Beach, Boilers - are entirely deserted in mid-January outside the surf crowd. These are not swim beaches in January (water is 17°C and the wind can be brisk), but the Atlantic light in January is exceptional: low sun, long shadows, dramatic rock formations. For photography or a long walk, these beaches are at their most striking.
The beach at Tamraght is narrower and more sheltered than Anchor Point - at mid-tide on a low swell day it offers the flattest water available near the village. January’s occasional flat spells are when stand-up paddleboarding or easy paddling is possible for beginners.
Whale Watching, Paradise Valley, and Agadir: January Non-Surf Days
Non-surf days or non-surfers have solid options:
Paradise Valley: The natural pools are accessible year-round and far less crowded in January than in summer. The mountain drive is particularly dramatic after winter rain.
Yoga: Several surf camps and studios run structured retreats in January - particularly popular in weeks two and three when the New Year crowd has cleared.
Agadir day trip: The Agadir souk, medina, and beach are uncrowded in January. Worth a half-day when there’s no surf. See the Taghazout vs Agadir guide if you’re weighing up which base suits your group.
Essaouira: The 2.5-hour coastal drive is worth making in good conditions - Essaouira in January is atmospheric and relatively quiet.
Who January Suits
Best for: Intermediate to advanced surfers chasing consistent point break waves. Those arriving after January 10 get peak swell with manageable crowds.
Less ideal for: Complete beginners hoping for beach-holiday conditions - the days are mild but not warm enough to spend hours on the sand. January rewards surfers.
January at a Glance
| Swell | Excellent (2–4m NW) |
| Daytime temp | 14–18°C |
| Water temp | 17–18°C |
| Wetsuit | 3/2 minimum, 4/3 recommended |
| Crowds | High Jan 1–10, moderate after |
| Accommodation | High-season rates |
January Logistics: Whale Season Opens, Tamraght Is Cheaper
January–February is the peak window for cetacean sightings along the Souss-Massa coast - a flat-swell day is the right moment to book a boat from Agadir port (humpback and fin whales are consistently sighted offshore, common dolphins on almost every trip). Tamraght, three kilometres south, typically runs 15–25% cheaper than Taghazout in January while giving identical access to Anchor Point and Mysteries. Book the New Year period (December 29–January 8) months ahead; mid-January is flexible with a week’s notice. A pre-booked airport transfer to Taghazout is the cleanest way to arrive with a board bag. Guided sessions at Anchor Point and Mysteries fill faster in January than any other month outside February - reserve before you fly.
Taghazout in February - the month many surfers rate as the best overall Taghazout in December - the month that leads into January Best time to visit Taghazout - full seasonal breakdown Anchor Point surf guide - January’s best break One-week Morocco surf trip itinerary - plan a full week built around Taghazout’s Atlantic breaks Taghazout long weekend - 4-day surf trip itinerary - the EU short-haul format: fly Thursday, surf Friday–Sunday, fly Monday Two weeks in Taghazout and beyond - Imsouane, Essaouira, and Paradise Valley added to the base camp week Morocco surf road trip - Agadir, Essaouira, Marrakech - 10-day self-drive from Taghazout to Marrakech Surf camps in Taghazout - January is peak season Where to stay in Tamraght - quieter alternative for January with 15–25% lower accommodation costs Where to stay in Imsouane - The Cathedral is at its peak January–February; book 6–8 weeks out Best tours from Taghazout - guided trips and day excursions