Taghazout is a winter sun destination with a catch: it is a sun-and-surf coast, not a hot-beach one. From November to February we get approximately 14-21°C days, 9-15°C evenings and 17-19°C water, with the Atlantic swell at its strongest of the year. For a short flight from Europe (about three and a half hours from London), that makes it one of the more reliable places to find a clear blue sky in January. This guide compares each month and tells you where to base yourself.
All figures are approximate and as of 2026. Temperatures come from our own month pages, which we update each season; see November, December, January and February.
Month-by-Month Comparison, November to February
| Month | Daytime high | Evening low | Sea | Swell | Crowds | Best base |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November | 16-21°C | 12-15°C | 19°C | 2-3.5m | Moderate | Taghazout village or Tamraght |
| December (1-19) | 14-19°C | 9-12°C | 18°C | 2-4m | Low to moderate | Tamraght or Aourir |
| December (20-31) | 14-19°C | 9-12°C | 18°C | 2-4m | Very high | Taghazout Bay resorts if booked early |
| January | 14-18°C | 9-12°C | 17-18°C | 2-4m | High first 10 days, then moderate | Taghazout village |
| February | 14-19°C | 10-13°C | 18-19°C | 2-4m | High | Taghazout village or Imsouane |
Sunshine is steady across the period. December is the wettest month, but the rain comes as brief showers between long clear spells.
November: The Warmest Month
November is the best balance for winter sun. Daytime highs reach 16-21°C, the water is still 19°C and the crowds have not arrived. The Junior Pro runs at Taghazout Bay from 11 to 15 November 2026 (see our news report), which brings extra visitors midmonth. Best base: Taghazout village or Tamraght, both walkable to the breaks.
December: Cooler, Wetter, Then Very Busy
The first 19 days are good value: strong swell, rates 15-20% below Christmas week and quiet lineups. After 20 December rooms are approximately 30-50% above normal. Read the full December guide, then our Christmas and New Year’s Eve pages if you travel in the holidays. Best base before the 20th: Tamraght or Aourir, which are cheaper. Best base for the holiday week: a Taghazout Bay resort booked months ahead.
January: Quiet After the 10th
The first ten days carry the New Year crowd. After that the village settles and mid-to-late January is one of the best-value periods of the season. Days are 14-18°C with clear skies, and the whale season off the Souss-Massa coast is at its peak. Best base: Taghazout village. See Taghazout in January.
February: Longer Days, More Visitors
Days reach 14-19°C, sunset is around 6:30pm by the end of the month and swell is consistent. Camps sell out and rooms cost approximately 20-30% more than in January. Imsouane, two hours north, is a good second base for longer waves (see our Imsouane day trip).
Best Resort Base by Type of Trip
- Surfers and first-timers: Taghazout village. Surf schools, cafes and breaks within a ten-minute walk. See surf schools.
- Couples and families wanting hotels: Taghazout Bay, with the Hyatt Place Taghazout Bay and Hilton Taghazout Bay Beach Resort, from approximately MAD 1,200-1,500 per night in early December. The new Marriott Resort Taghazout Bay opened in July 2026.
- Budget and long stays: Tamraght and Aourir. See Tamraght and Aourir.
- City breaks with beaches: Agadir, 25-35 minutes south, with the main promenade and package hotels. See our Taghazout vs Agadir comparison.
- Digital nomads: Taghazout village or Tamraght, with cafes and coworking spaces.
What a Winter Week Costs
| Item | Approximate cost, as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Dorm bed | MAD 150-250 per night |
| Guesthouse double | approximately MAD 500-900 per night |
| Resort double | from approximately MAD 1,200 per night |
| Surf camp week | from approximately 520 euros per person |
| Surf lesson | see our lesson cost guide |
| Main course at a village restaurant | MAD 60-150 |
For a complete budget see our Taghazout budget guide.
Getting There for Winter
Agadir Al Massira is the airport, 25-35 minutes by taxi. Winter 2026-27 adds Ryanair routes from Milan Bergamo, Nuremberg, Bratislava and Gdańsk, and easyJet services from Gatwick, East Midlands, Birmingham and Bordeaux. Compare flights to Agadir and read our flights to Taghazout guide. Pre-book your airport transfer or rent a car. Buy travel insurance with surf cover if you will be in the water, and a local eSIM before landing. Passport and entry rules are in our visa guide.
What to Pack
- A 3/2mm wetsuit in November and February, 4/3mm in December and January. Hire is available, see surfboard rental.
- A fleece and windproof jacket for evenings, which drop to 9-12°C.
- SPF 50 sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat. The winter sun is stronger than it feels.
- Long trousers and covered shoulders for towns and souks. See what to wear.
- A light waterproof for December showers.
The full list is in our packing list.
Things to Do When the Swell Is Small
Book a Paradise Valley tour after rain, when the gorge is greenest. Try a yoga retreat, a hammam (see hammams and spas) or a day trip to Essaouira. You can also browse all tours from Taghazout.
How It Compares
If you want 20-22°C days, the Canary Islands are warmer, and we compare them in detail in our Taghazout vs Canary Islands winter sun comparison. If you want the warmest place in Morocco, see the warmest places in Morocco in December. For a general view, our best time to visit guide covers the full year. For official information, see the Morocco National Tourist Office.
Rain, Wind and Daylight: The Details That Catch People Out
Daylight is the biggest surprise. Sunset is around 5:30pm in late November and December, 5:45pm in early January and nearly 6:30pm by the end of February, so afternoon plans need to start earlier than in summer. Rain falls mostly between November and February, in short showers that clear within the hour. The argan landscape turns green after the first falls, which is the best time for hiking and for Paradise Valley.
Wind matters for surfing and for sunbathing alike. Mornings are usually offshore, which is good for waves and cold for sitting around, while afternoons can turn onshore. On the beach, a windbreak and a fleece make the difference between a pleasant afternoon and a short one. Evenings cool quickly, so restaurants with covered terraces or rooftop heaters are worth choosing.
Who Should Book Which Month
- First-time surfers: November and February, when swell is a little smaller and water is the warmest. See learn to surf.
- Intermediate and advanced surfers: December and January, when the point breaks are at their best. See swell seasons.
- Budget travellers: early December and mid-to-late January, which are the cheapest high-season windows.
- Families and holiday-week travellers: book resorts or camps four to six months ahead.
- Remote workers: January, when the village is quiet and cafes have space. See our digital nomad guide.