A long, powerful right-hand point peeling down a rocky shelf for 300 metres or more, Anchor Point is the wave that put Morocco on the surfing map. It's world-class, it's demanding, and on the right winter swell it rivals any point break on earth. Here's how it works and how to surf it. Updated for 2026.
Known as "Almadraba" in Arabic — a name tied to the area's old bluefin-tuna fishing technique — Anchor Point sits just north of Taghazout on the N1 road toward Essaouira. Travelling surfers discovered it in the late 1960s, and its long, mechanical right-handers turned a sleepy fishing village into the centre of the Moroccan surf scene. You can watch it peel from the rooftop cafés in town.
🌊 Check today's Anchor Point conditions →Anchor Point is a right-hand point break that jacks up on a rock shelf and runs down the line with hollow, walling sections. On a good swell, rides of 300 metres or more are common, and on the biggest days the wave links multiple sections almost into Taghazout itself. The bottom is mostly rock, with some sand giving a little room for error. It needs real swell to break well — which is exactly why it comes alive in winter.
Be honest about your level. Anchor Point is fast, powerful and crowded, with a rocky bottom and demanding paddle-out. It's for confident intermediates and advanced surfers only. Surf schools are not permitted to bring learners here. If you're not comfortable in solid, powerful waves, surf Panoramas, Tamraght or Imsouane Bay instead — and come back when you're ready.
| Factor | Ideal |
|---|---|
| Swell direction | NW (also N / WNW) |
| Swell size | Medium to large, long period (12s+) |
| Wind | Light NE offshore |
| Tide | Low to mid (mid–high on big swell) |
| Water temp | 17–21°C (3/2mm, 4/3mm in winter) |
| Season | September–March |
Avoid strong west winds, short-period windswell, and days bigger than your comfort level. Mornings are usually cleanest, before the afternoon onshore wind arrives. Always check the live forecast before paddling out.
🌊 See if Anchor Point is firing today →The prime season is September to March. Early autumn (Sept–Oct) pairs warm water with the first swells; November–December is the most reliable but most crowded; January–February brings the biggest, most powerful waves (and the Taghazout Pro contest); March still offers good waves with fewer people. Summer is mostly too small to bother. For the full picture see our best time to surf in Morocco guide.
Anchor Point is about a 5-minute drive, 10–15 minute bike, or 25–35 minute walk north from Taghazout centre — roughly 40 minutes from Agadir airport. There's a large car park right in front, often with vendors selling mint tea and coffee for a pre-surf boost.
🌊 Open the live Anchor Point forecast →Planning more of your trip? Read our Taghazout guide, the best surf spots ranked by level, and the best time to surf in Morocco.