Anchor Point Beach

Anchor Point is Morocco's most celebrated and photographed surf break, a powerful right-hand point break that peels for over 300 meters along a rocky headland just north of Taghazout village. The wave breaks over a flat, rocky reef and produces long, hollow sections that draw expert surfers from every corner of the world during the peak Atlantic swell season. On its best days – typically during large northwest groundswells between November and February – Anchor Point is world-class in the truest sense, ranking alongside Jeffreys Bay in South Africa and Hossegor in France as one of the great Atlantic right-handers.

The mechanics of the wave are complex and unforgiving. The entry to the lineup requires a committed paddle around the point through surging whitewater, and the take-off zone positions riders on a steep, fast section that demands precise timing, confident paddling, and excellent wave-reading ability. The long ride that follows – on a good day, sweeping through multiple defined sections before finishing in the sandy bay below – is the reward for navigating this challenge. The crowd in the lineup can be fiercely competitive during peak swells, as Anchor Point's global reputation attracts experienced surfers from the many surf camps based in Taghazout, as well as dedicated international travelers making seasonal pilgrimages to the break.

Even for non-surfers, Anchor Point is worth visiting purely as a spectacle. The cliffs at the headland provide elevated viewing platforms that offer genuinely theatrical perspectives on the wave, particularly when large sets are running. At these moments, watching a skilled surfer complete an Anchor Point ride – from the steep, throaty take-off through the mid-section barrels to the long, smooth cutbacks on the inside – is one of the great free spectacles available anywhere in Morocco. A long telephoto lens, patience, and a windproof jacket are the only essentials required.