December is a proper surf month in Morocco. The Atlantic is active, the famous points around Taghazout can start working regularly, and the coast feels completely different from the small summer surf season. That does not mean every day is huge, or that beginners should stay away.
The honest answer is more useful: surfing Morocco in December can suit every level, but not at the same break on the same day. Confident surfers come for the winter swell. Beginners need coaches who can move with the conditions and choose a sheltered beach. Everyone needs a full wetsuit and a warm layer for the morning.
We run surf weeks from our house in Tamraght, a short drive from the Taghazout points and close to several forgiving beach breaks. Here is what we tell guests who ask whether December is right for them.
Is December a good month for surfing in Morocco?
Yes—especially if you want more consistent swell than summer. Morocco's national tourism office describes the main winter window as October to late March and notes that experienced surfers generally find their best waves between October and April. It also makes an important point that gets lost in highlight reels: Morocco has beach breaks, reefs and points for different levels, and beginners can surf year-round.
December sits inside that winter window. Around Taghazout and Tamraght, you may see long-period swell lighting up the points one day and a smaller, protected beach offering a gentle lesson the next. A forecast cannot tell you which experience you will have months in advance. Good planning means choosing a flexible base, not trying to reserve one wave.
For wider context, see the official Moroccan tourism board-sports guide and our month-by-month Morocco surf guide.
December surf in Morocco by ability level
Complete beginners
You can learn in December, but you should not choose your beach from an Instagram clip or drive straight to a famous point. Winter swell can make one break exciting and another unsuitable. A coach should assess the swell, wind, tide and your confidence before deciding where the lesson happens.
On larger days, the answer is often a more protected beach rather than Anchor Point or another exposed reef. Around our coast, beginner options include sandy or mixed-bottom breaks such as Devil's Rock, Crocro, K17 and Tamri, depending on the day's conditions. Our surf-spots guide labels each local break by level and shows live wind, swell and water data.
December is a good fit if you are happy to:
- let the coach choose the spot each morning;
- learn in a 3/2 mm full wetsuit;
- accept that the ocean, not a fixed timetable, sets the exact session;
- focus on safe progress rather than surfing a famous name.
If warm water and consistently mellow surf matter more than winter atmosphere, late spring or early autumn may feel easier. Read our beginner guide to winter surfing in Taghazout before choosing.
Improving beginners and intermediates
For many progressing surfers, December is interesting precisely because it gives coaches more options. On a manageable day, you can practise paddling out, positioning and catching unbroken waves. When the exposed breaks are too powerful, you can work on technique at a sheltered spot instead.
The biggest mistake is judging your level by how long you have surfed. Someone who has surfed for two years on soft beach breaks may not be ready for a fast rocky point. Someone with fewer months but strong paddling, controlled turns and good ocean awareness may cope better. Be honest about the waves you can catch independently, not just the number of sessions in your log.
Confident intermediate and advanced surfers
This is the group most likely to love December. Winter swells can bring the right-hand points to life, including Anchor Point, Killer Point, La Source, Hash Point and other breaks along the coast. But reputation is not permission. Entry and exit routes, rocks, current, crowd etiquette and swell direction all matter.
Use local knowledge, check the conditions in person and be prepared to change plans. The best session of the week may be at a less famous break with the right wind and fewer people.
What the weather and water feel like
Do not pack for a Marrakech city break. The coast can feel sunny and mild in the afternoon, then cool quickly before breakfast or after sunset. Wind makes the walk back from a session feel colder than the air temperature suggests.
Our local Morocco wetsuit guide puts December water around 17–18°C and recommends a 3/2 mm full suit as the minimum. If you get cold easily or plan long sessions, ask about a warmer option. At Nomad, boards and wetsuits are included in our surf packages, so first-time guests do not need to buy equipment for one week.
For land, bring layers. A T-shirt may be comfortable in the sun, while a hoodie or light jacket is useful for breakfast on the roof, dawn departures and evenings outside.
What to pack for a December surf trip
Keep the list practical:
- Swimwear: bring two sets so one can dry between sessions.
- Warm layer: a hoodie, fleece or light insulated jacket for mornings and evenings.
- Full wetsuit: bring your own 3/2 or warmer suit if fit matters to you; otherwise confirm that your camp provides one.
- Sun protection: high-SPF sunscreen, lip balm and a hat. Winter sun still reflects strongly off the water.
- Secure sandals and trainers: useful for beach paths, village hills and rocky access.
- Reusable bottle and small day bag: for the surf van and excursions.
- Travel insurance: check that recreational surfing is covered, including any level or equipment exclusions.
You can leave the bulky board bag at home if your package includes suitable equipment. If you have a favourite performance board and know exactly what you want to surf, read our guide to choosing a surfboard for Morocco.
What a December day at Nomad looks like
We start with breakfast and a look at the ocean and forecast. The plan can change after the coaches compare swell, wind and tide across the coast. That flexibility is a feature, not a disruption: in winter, being mobile often matters more than sleeping beside one famous break.
Our seven-night packages include accommodation, transport to and from Agadir Airport, breakfast and dinner on six days, six coached surf days, and the board and wetsuit. The Nomad package also includes activities such as yoga, sandboarding, a market visit and Paradise Valley, giving the week some shape when your shoulders need a rest.
Lunch is not included, so you can eat near the day's surf spot or choose something in the village. Back at the house, dinner is shared. December evenings are made for a hot meal, mint tea and an early night after two sessions in a full suit.
Christmas and New Year: book earlier
The festive period is popular because European travellers can reach mild Atlantic weather without a long-haul flight. Flights, private rooms and surf-camp places can become harder to find around Christmas and New Year. The surf itself is never guaranteed, but accommodation availability is easy to plan for: if your dates are fixed, reserve earlier than you would for the first half of December.
Line-ups at famous points may also be busier. Beginners are less affected when their coaches choose a suitable teaching beach, but advanced surfers should bring patience and use respectful priority and local etiquette.
Should you book December?
Book December if you want winter surf energy, do not mind a full wetsuit, and value having multiple breaks within driving distance. It is especially attractive for confident surfers chasing Morocco's better-known waves and for learners who want structured coaching rather than planning each day alone.
Choose another month if your priority is warm-water surfing, very small waves or the quietest possible holiday period. September, October, spring and early summer each offer a different balance; our month-by-month guide compares them.
The key is not finding a promise that December will be perfect. It is choosing a setup that can adapt when the swell changes. From Tamraght, we can move north or south, match the break to the group, and make the call each morning.
Frequently asked questions
Can beginners surf Morocco in December?
Yes. Beginners should surf with a qualified coach who chooses a protected break based on that day's swell, wind and tide. Famous winter points are not beginner waves, but the Taghazout–Tamraght coast has alternative beaches.
What wetsuit do I need in Morocco in December?
A 3/2 mm full suit is the usual minimum around Taghazout and Tamraght. Cold-sensitive surfers may prefer more warmth, especially for early or long sessions. Nomad's packages include a wetsuit.
Is December crowded in Taghazout?
The Christmas and New Year period is generally busier than early December, especially at famous point breaks and in popular accommodation. Book fixed holiday dates early and expect to share the best-known line-ups.
Is the surf guaranteed?
No surf camp can guarantee a particular wave or size. December is inside Morocco's more consistent winter swell season, but wind, tide and swell direction still decide what works each day.
Do I need to bring a board?
Not for a coached week at Nomad: boards and wetsuits are included. Experienced surfers may still prefer their own equipment if they have a specific board and break in mind.
Plan your December surf week
Tell us your dates, your honest surf level and whether you prefer a shared or private room. We will help you choose the right package and explain what is available before you pay. See the surf packages or ask the Nomad team about a December week in Tamraght.
