The Canary Islands win for winter heat and easy resort holidays, and Taghazout wins for surf, culture and lower day-to-day costs. Both sit in the same Atlantic winter-sun gap, within four hours of the UK and Western Europe, and they compete for the same November to February traveller. We write about Taghazout, so we are open about that bias, and we use published climate averages for the islands. All figures are approximate and as of 2026.
Quick Verdict
| Factor | Taghazout | Canary Islands | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| December daytime high | 14-19°C | approximately 20-22°C | Canaries |
| December night low | 9-12°C | approximately 16-17°C | Canaries |
| Sea temperature | 18°C | approximately 20-21°C | Canaries |
| Surf quality | Point breaks, 2-4m swell | Strong but more reef-based | Taghazout |
| Culture and food | Souks, tagines, Berber villages | Resort dining, some local food | Taghazout |
| Costs on the ground | Lower | Higher | Taghazout |
| Resort and family infrastructure | Growing | Very strong | Canaries |
| Flight time from London | approximately 3.5 hours | approximately 4.25 hours | Taghazout |
Weather: The Canaries Are Warmer
This is the Canaries’ strongest argument. Las Palmas has December highs of about 22°C and lows of about 16°C, and Tenerife’s south is a little warmer still, with sea temperatures of approximately 20-21°C. Taghazout’s days run approximately 14-19°C, evenings fall to 9-12°C and the sea is 18°C. In practice, a Canary winter day is a beach day, while a Taghazout winter day is a sun-and-jumper day. See our Taghazout in December guide for month detail, and our winter sun guide for November to February. If warmth is your single priority, see our ranking of Morocco’s warmest places in December.
Surf and Activities: Taghazout Wins
Taghazout has a chain of point breaks, Anchor Point, Hash Point, Panoramas, Killers and Mysteries, which suit surfers from beginners to experts. See surf spots compared and our learn to surf guide. A surf camp week starts at approximately 520 euros per person (see camp prices). The Canaries offer strong waves, but they are more reef-based and frequently crowded in the main spots, with a lesson price that is usually higher. For non-surfers, Taghazout adds a Paradise Valley tour, camel trekking, yoga and a day trip to Essaouira.
Costs: Taghazout Is Usually Cheaper
A main course at a village restaurant costs MAD 60-150 (see our restaurant guide), a guesthouse double is approximately MAD 500-900 per night outside the holidays, and a dorm bed is MAD 150-250. The Canaries cost more for the same meal, bed and lesson, but a packaged week in an all-inclusive resort can beat an independent Moroccan trip on total price. Compare the full cost using our budget guide. In Christmas week both destinations rise sharply; see Christmas in Taghazout for approximate rates.
Flights and Logistics
Agadir Al Massira has more winter capacity than ever, including new Ryanair routes from Milan Bergamo, Nuremberg, Bratislava and Gdańsk, and new easyJet routes from Gatwick, East Midlands, Birmingham and Bordeaux. Compare flights to Agadir and see our flights guide. The Canaries are Spanish territory, so there are no visa or passport issues for EU citizens. Morocco needs a passport and, for some nationalities, a visa; see our visa guide. Taghazout is 25-35 minutes from the airport, and you can pre-book a transfer.
Culture and Atmosphere
Taghazout gives you a working fishing village, hammams, souks and mint-tea cafes, with a clear sense of being somewhere different. The Canaries are Spanish, European and easy: supermarkets, familiar menus, full alcohol licensing. If you want a holiday that feels foreign, choose Morocco. If you want one that feels simple, choose the islands. See our first-time visitor guide and etiquette guide for what to expect.
Who Should Choose Which
Choose Taghazout if: you surf or want to learn, you like local food and markets, you want lower daily costs and you are fine with 14-19°C days.
Choose the Canary Islands if: you want reliable beach weather, a pool, a family resort or a simple all-inclusive package, and you swim in the sea.
Do both: if you cannot choose, a week in Taghazout in November, when highs reach 16-21°C and the sea is 19°C, comes closest to the islands. See Taghazout in November.
Practical Notes Before You Book
Buy travel insurance with water-sport cover, and a travel eSIM for Morocco, because roaming charges apply outside the EU. For official entry and visitor information, see the Morocco National Tourist Office. Our best time to visit guide shows how the comparison shifts outside winter, when Taghazout’s summer days are warm enough to flip the result.
A Realistic Week in Each Place
A week in Taghazout in January usually means a morning surf, a late breakfast at a cafe such as Panorama Cafe, an afternoon walk or hammam and a tagine dinner for approximately MAD 90-170, with a day trip in the middle of the week. A week in the Canaries is more likely to centre on the pool or a long beach day, a restaurant dinner at resort prices and a hire-car trip to a volcano or national park. Both are good winter breaks, and the right one depends on whether you want an active, culturally different week or a restful, familiar one.
Bottom Line
The Canaries are warmer, simpler and better for resort holidays. Taghazout is cheaper, more varied and far better for surf. If your trip is built around waves, culture or budget, pick Taghazout; if it is built around guaranteed beach days, pick the islands.