May is Taghazout’s quiet gem. The surf season crowds have departed, summer hasn’t arrived, and the village settles into a more relaxed version of itself. The weather is warm, the lineups are manageable, and the full range of activities - hiking, Paradise Valley, Essaouira, yoga - is accessible without the heat or crowds of summer. It’s an underrated month to visit.
Swell Season Winding Down: One to Two Quality Sessions Per Week at Most
The North Atlantic swell machine is winding down in May. Swell events are less frequent and smaller than April, with flat spells of several days becoming common. A good week in May might have two quality surf sessions; an average week has one or one and a half.
Swell: Average 0.5–1.5m. Occasional 2m episodes on the right swell window. Swell direction is still predominantly NW, but more variable than winter.
What works: Hash Point and Panoramas are the go-to breaks - they work in small, clean conditions that May often provides. Banana Point is ideal for beginners. Imsouane, an hour north, handles smaller swell better than most breaks in the immediate Taghazout area.
Anchor Point and Mysteries need more swell than May typically delivers, though the first two weeks of May occasionally see a remnant winter swell that fires them up.
Water temperature: 20–21°C - the most comfortable of any month for extended time in the water. A 2mm wetsuit or shorty is sufficient; on warm afternoons, a rashguard alone is fine.
If surfing is part of your May trip, surf packages in Taghazout that mix coaching with yoga or excursion days are well-suited to May’s variable conditions - and prices are lower than peak season.
20–26°C and Reliably Dry: Start of Morocco’s Long Warm Season
May is genuinely warm - daytime temperatures average 20–26°C, with clear skies dominating. Evenings are pleasant at 15–18°C, warm enough to eat outside without layers. It’s the beginning of Morocco’s long dry season; rain is rare.
Sunset over a sea of dunes.
Days are long (sunset after 8pm by the end of May). The heat is manageable - coastal breezes keep the Atlantic strip cooler than inland Morocco.
What to pack: Light summer clothes, a 2mm wetsuit or rashguard, sun protection (UV is strong in May). No wetsuit needed for swimming - the water is comfortable.
Quietest Month of the Year: Easy Booking and Discounted Rates
May is one of the two or three quietest months of the year in Taghazout. The major holiday periods have passed; school half-term in the UK and Europe sometimes brings a brief uptick in visitors mid-month, but it’s minor compared to Easter or the winter surf season.
Accommodation is easy to find and cheaper than peak season. Many surf camps and guesthouses offer better rates in May, and last-minute options are readily available.
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May Is for Exploring: Essaouira, Paradise Valley, and the Atlas at Best Conditions
May is the best month for activities beyond surfing:
Paradise Valley: The natural pools are warm enough to swim comfortably by May and the valley is relatively quiet. One of the best months for the trip.
Hiking: The inland and coastal trails are pleasant in May temperatures - warm but not yet summer hot. The hills behind Aourir have good walking routes.
Essaouira: Worth a full day. Essaouira’s kite surfing season starts in May (it’s one of the windiest coasts in Africa), and the medina is lively without being overwhelmed.
Agadir beach: By May the Agadir beach is warm and the ocean inviting. Worth combining with other errands in the city.
Digital nomads: May is a popular working month - cafes are quiet, wifi is accessible, and the cost of living is lower than peak season.
Who May Suits
Best for: Non-surfers, digital nomads, beginners, and couples or groups where surf level varies. Anyone who wants warm weather, quiet beaches, and a low-key atmosphere.
Less ideal for: Experienced surfers specifically chasing big waves - May requires patience and flexibility. Dedicated surfers often prefer October for similar atmosphere with better swell.
May at a Glance
| Swell | Moderate to low (0.5–1.5m) |
| Daytime temp | 20–26°C |
| Water temp | 20–21°C |
| Wetsuit | 2mm or rashguard |
| Crowds | Low - one of the quietest months |
| Accommodation | Good availability, lower rates |
May Logistics: Argan Cooperatives, Last Chance for Consistent Swell
May is when the argan pressing cycle is active at cooperatives around Aourir and the Souss Valley - the squeezing and bottling runs March through June, and a half-day stop at one of the women’s cooperatives between Taghazout and Agadir costs nothing and adds real context to the trip. Swell is irregular but not absent: a week in May usually produces two or three surfable days. Accommodation books easily with a week’s notice; boutique riad rates drop 20–30% from February levels. Car hire from Agadir Airport earns its keep in May - Essaouira, Paradise Valley, and the Atlas foothills all become day-trip territory at your own pace. Surf lessons can be booked the day before in May.
Taghazout in June - summer begins Taghazout in April - the month before Taghazout in October - the best surfing equivalent to May Best time to visit Taghazout - full seasonal breakdown One-week Morocco surf trip itinerary - plan a full week built around Taghazout’s Atlantic breaks Boutique riads in Taghazout - the quieter spring season Best tours from Taghazout - guided trips and day excursions