Agadir’s beaches are undoubtedly the best known in Morocco — as well as being some of the largest. From this city, to the north and south, there extends a coastline dotted with enormous stretches of sand, little, almost secret, coves and spectacular rocky areas.
Bathed by the Atlantic Ocean, thus ensuring pleasant temperatures throughout the summer, this is an ideal place, not only for bathers and sun seekers, but also for lovers of surfing, kitesurfing and all kinds of water sports.
As well as the added bonus that this is a quality tourist destination, with an excellent range of restaurants, shops and hotels, such as the Allegro Agadir in the heart of the city, close to its kilometre-long beach. With 321 rooms, this hotel is an option that cannot be beaten if you want to enjoy the beaches of Agadir.
Some of Morocco’s loveliest beaches
Agadir not only has some of Morocco’s largest beaches, it also has some that could be ranked among the country’s best. And, certainly, some of the most attractive.
For example, Agadir’s spectacular urban beach, 12 kilometres in length and mostly golden sands. Edged along much of its length by the city itself, the beach nevertheless boasts several kilometres of almost virgin beach.
To the north and south of Agadir, there stretches kilometre after kilometre of spectacular coastline. The waters here are particularly clean, making it the perfect place to explore the beauty of the Atlantic sea bed.
Many of the area’s beaches are completely unspoilt, while others offer facilities such as restaurants, and small hotels. They are constantly patrolled by traders selling drinks, Moroccan sweets, clothes, and all manner of souvenirs.
Beaches to the south of Agadir
Agadir’s southern beaches lie close to the Atlas mountain range (link to relevant URL on Areas). The mountains slope down to the Atlantic coast, sometimes ending abruptly in cliffs with openings that shelter small, rocky coves. Elsewhere, river valleys have created large, sandy beaches extending for kilometres.
Accessing some of these beaches can be somewhat problematic, as the main road linking Agadir and Tiznit (the N-1) lies a few kilometres inland. But if you decide to go by taxi, you will find that the drivers know the area well.
Here are several of the best beaches in the south of Agadir:
- Iggin Idist: barely eight kilometres from Agadir, lies on the other side of the mouth of the river Souss. It is a large, sandy beach, but vehicular access is difficult. The beach is ideal for children.
- Sidi Toual: you need to drive parallel to the coast for around 18 kilometres, and then take minor roads from Takar that will bring you to the beach. This is one of Agadir’s most picturesque beaches, as it is edged with rocky cliffs.
- Sidi Tifnite beach: around 30 kilometres from Agadir, this beach is located between a rocky outcrop and the mouth of a river that flows down from the Atlas mountains. This is one of the area’s most popular beaches, but it has no facilities or services. Many Moroccans come here to fish.
- Sidi Ribat and Sidi Wassay: these two beaches, around 40 kilometres from Agadir, lie on either side of the mouth of the river Massa and within the Souss-Massa National Park. Both offer services for tourists, with the odd guest house or small hotel. At the southern end, the beach becomes rocky.
- Anglou beach: is the furthest from Agadir (something over 100 kilometres), but it is very near to Tiznit (16 kilometres). It is not advisable to swim in the open sea because of the currents — a common feature of this section of Morocco’s Atlantic coastline. However, there are very pleasant natural swimming pools that form on the beach at low tide.
Beaches to the north of Agadir
Like the beaches that lie to the south of Agadir, those to the north are shaped by the geography of the Atlas mountains, with majestic cliffs and rocky outcrops that shelter both small coves and larger stretches of golden sands.
Access to the beaches to the north of Agadir is rather easier, due to the proximity of the main road to Essaouira (the N-1).
Here are some of the most recommended ones:
- Aourir and Tamrangh: both are located around 12 kilometres from Agadir. Aourir’s beach is also known as Banana Beach, a name given to it by Jimi Hendrix in the 1960s, as the area is home to numerous banana plantations. This part of the coastline is one of Morocco’s surfing
- Taghazout: 16 kilometres from Agadir, this long, sandy beach lies next to the fishing village from which it takes its name. Here, Anchor Point is one of the favourite haunts of surfers in Morocco.
- Aghroud beach: without a doubt, one of the area’s most picturesque beaches, and just 24 kilometres from Agadir. It is a favourite beach because of its lovely setting, but also because of its clear waters.
- Around Cap Rhir: here, 35 kilometres from Agadir, you will find the beaches of Ameznaz, and Tiger, with several beaches over a kilometre long, and some more intimate coves among rocky promontories.
- Tamri: this beach, about 42 kilometres from Agadir, lies next to a lagoon which has a particular environmental value, as it provides a nesting and feeding site for several species of birds. Its diverse scenery makes it one of Agadir’s most interesting beaches.
- Imsouane: around 70 kilometres north of Agadir, a beach highly popular with surfers, thanks to the quality and frequency of its breakers and to the intensity of its currents. However, due to the ferocity of the waves here, bathing is only recommended in the sandiest part of the bay.
Further information
How to get to Agadir
- In a private vehicle: Agadir is around 250 kilometres from Marrakesh. The journey can be completed in just over three hours, using the A-7 toll motorway.
- On public transport: there are several buses a day from Marrakesh, and the trip takes around three and a half hours. The service is provided by CTM, and departs from the bus terminus (near to the railway station).
