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With multiple surf towns on Morocco’s Atlantic coast, you may be wondering if Imsouane is worth visiting – especially after what happened in 2024. Well, wonder no more as I’ve covered all you need to know in this complete Imsouane travel guide.
When we visited Imsouane for the day during our first trip to Morocco’s Atlantic coast in 2024, we knew we’d made a mistake.
That mistake was not staying for longer, as we instantly clicked with the relaxed atmosphere and surf culture that lures so many people down the winding coastal road that leads into Imsouane.
So we came back to visit again!
And this time we stayed for three nights so we could really take in the tremendous mountain backdrop, watch the mesmerising waves that seemed to roll endlessly into the famous Magic Bay, and actually have a go at surfing ourselves!
We easily slipped into the flow of Imsouane’s magical vibe, where days seamlessly blend together, and left longing to return to this wonderfully laidback surf town yet again.
Where is Imsouane?
Sitting on a point flanked by two sandy bays on Morocco’s Atlantic coastline, Imsouane is almost exactly halfway between the larger coastal cities of Essaouira and Agadir.
It takes over an hour and a half to reach either city by car, and this, combined with the vast surrounding landscape, makes it feel more remote than the other popular surf towns of Sidi Kaouki, Taghazout, and Tamraght – all of which are within 30 minutes of a city.
In relation to other tourist hotspots, Imsouane is located:
- 230km southwest of Marrakech.
- 470km and 550km south of Casablanca and Rabat respectively.
- 760km southwest of Fes (via Casablanca)
Check out the map below to get a visual sense of where to find Imsouane.
About Imsouane
It was clear to us from the number of traditional trawlers packed into the harbour, like the sardines they fish for, that the fishing industry is not just in the origins of Imsouane but is still well and truly alive today.
However, what has really spread the name of Imsouane outwith the local community, and even onto the international stage, is the surf scene which has grown and flourished on Morocco’s Atlantic coast since being discovered in the second half of the 20th Century.
Imsouane in particular has gained attention as the home to one of Africa’s longest waves – the rolling right-hander that seems to take an eternity to reach the shore of The Bay (also known as Magic Bay)! This brings longboarders from all over the world to surf here but it also makes for ideal conditions for beginner surfers.
Even if you hadn’t heard anything before visiting, the number of surf shops in relation to the size of the town tells you exactly what the main activity is!
What Happened To Imsouane In 2024?
An important issue that needs to be addressed before continuing with this travel guide is what Imsouane is like these days.
I say this because you may or may not have heard about what happened in January 2024.
Essentially, a large area of the western shoreline (known as Tasblast) was completely bulldozed and demolished, with houses and restaurants being quite literally reduced to rubble with minimal warning.
And my heart goes out to everyone who had homes, livelihoods, and communities levelled in such swift fashion.
The official reason for this is that the buildings here didn’t have proper planning permission or sewage systems – all land within 30 metres of the shoreline in Morocco is public.
But why now?
Is it to make way for luxury developments like those seen further south in Taghazout Bay? Or is it part of Morocco’s planned coastal developments in preparation for the 2030 World Cup?
I guess time will tell.
The photos below show the rubble area during our first visit and then the addition of a couple of restaurants one year later.
Is Imsouane Worth Visiting Now?
This all begs the question: Is Imsouane still worth visiting in 2025, or has the magic gone?
Well, when reading media reports and articles online before our first visit, we were under the false impression that the whole of Imsouane had been destroyed and there wasn’t much left to visit. So, we nearly didn’t bother visiting at all.
However, when we did arrive we realised that actually, most of the town (including many accommodations and restaurants) is still standing and just a portion was demolished.
And visiting again just over a year later, I’m of the opinion that rather than being the end of Imsouane, it could just be the start.
This is because as well as a couple of new restaurants overlooking Plage Imsouane (which had been rubble a year prior), we saw major construction of infrastructure, beach access points, and modern villas taking place around The Bay area.
So, I have to say that from the level of development we were seeing, the decent amount of accommodation, surf camp, and restaurant options, and the sheer number of people still paddling out on their surfboards, Imsouane is continuing to thrive.
I don’t know if it has the same magic as before as we weren’t there to experience it, but we feel that Imsouane is definitely worth visiting for surfers, curious travellers with time to visit multiple towns on the coast, and anyone, like us, who just loves the chilled vibe of a small surf town!
Next Read: Best Things To Do In Agadir
How To Get To Imsouane
Getting to Imsouane from other cities is a bit more challenging as the big coach companies (CTM and Supratours) don’t run services here.
But thankfully, Souk To Surf run direct shared transfers from Marrakech, Agadir, Essaouira, and the other surf towns, which makes getting to Imsouane straight forward and inexpensive.
Alternatively, you can take a private car if you value the extra flexibility and convenience. It’s easy to book this online on Bookaway and prices aren’t actually too crazy.
If coming from abroad, it would be best to fly into Agadir as it is the closest international airport to Imsouane. Then you can make your way up the coast with one of the above options.
> Click To Book Souk To Surf Bus
> Click To Book A Private Car To Imsouane
Where To Stay
Given the small size of Imsouane, everywhere is accessible on foot so it’s not too important where you stay. Even from the back of town, you can still walk to the beaches.
Choose from simple hostels and surf houses, apartments, boutique-style hotels or a full surf camp package if you’re looking to really level up your skills!
We stayed in one of Kaza Moon Hostel’s private rooms and found it to have the perfect balance between location, style, and price for budget travellers!
Whatever your style though, there’s somewhere suitable for every budget and below I’ve included my top picks.
- KAZA Wave Surf Camp ($): This is where we stayed! This newly built surf house is located on a quiet street and less than a 10 minute walk to the beaches. There are double rooms with balconies, mixed dorm rooms, apartments, a shared kitchen and a rooftop with sea views. With bright, modern and spacious rooms, it’s excellent value for money!
- Slow Life Surf House ($$): Feel at home in a great central location in elegant and thoughtfully decorated rooms that all come with breathtaking views of the ocean. This brand new boutique hotel offers delicious healthy meals from the onsite restaurant, rooftop yoga sessions, cosy sofas and coworking areas. Soak up the “slow life” atmosphere here!
- The O Experience ($$$): Boasting a sensational sea view overlooking the rolling Imsouane waves of Magic Bay, The O Experience is the ultimate boho and surf chic vibe. Featuring a modern and minimal design with furnishings perfectly complementing the space and an unbeatable location that will have you questioning if you’re in Morocco, Bali, or Mexico.
> Browse More Imsouane Hotels On Booking.com
Our Favourite Booking Site!
Surf Camps In Imsouane
Many people who come to Imsouane are not only looking to have a go at surfing, but to dedicate time to learning, practising and developing their skills.
For efficiency, surf camps are a fantastic way to make fast progress. You’ll be in the water for lessons almost daily and there’s a lot of value from being surrounded by like-minded people and fully immersed in the surf culture!
You also don’t have to think too much past surfing as usually transportation, meals, equipment, and lessons are all included and organised for you. There are normally other excursions and yoga classes that you can join too.
There are various surf camps in Imsouane to choose from, but here are a couple of top picks that you can book online.
- The Petit Surfer (5 Days / 4 Nights): Perfect for an introduction to surfing or if you’re short on time! This all-inclusive surf camp focuses on fun and making connections, all while developing your surf skills, including daily surfskate lessons too. The Petit Surfer has shared dorms, double rooms and studios, as well as a swimming pool and enclosed rooftop.
- The Little Kasbah (Surf and Yoga Camp): Immerse yourself in an 8 day surf and yoga retreat with two daily yoga sessions, three surf lessons, airport transfers, and half-board meals included. Stay in one of the six bright and spacious double rooms at this cosy surf house and you can enjoy sunrise and sunset yoga from the rooftop balcony.
- Pro Surf Imsouane (Longboard Guiding): Located a few steps from the beach, this is ideal if you’re an intermediate or advanced surfer looking to improve your longboarding skills, along with guidance on how to catch the best wave. Stay in a Bedouin villa and enjoy homemade Moroccan meals three times per day!
> Compare The Best Surf Camps In Imsouane
Best Things To Do In Imsouane
As we had expected, Imsouane isn’t the type of place where our time was spent hopping from tourist attraction to tourist attraction.
But rather, the activities in Imsouane are all about the surf, yoga, and skate scene, as well as embracing the laidback vibe and majestic coastal landscapes.
Take A Beginner Surf Lesson
As well as waves that longboarders dream of (sometimes lasting up to 800m), Imsouane is also known for its beginner and intermediate-friendly waves. Surf schools from further south in the likes of Taghazout and Tamraght even take day trips to make the most of the conditions.
This makes it a great place to take a beginner lesson as the mellow, rolling waves allow for lots of practice in stable conditions.
Depending on conditions, beginners generally stick to The Bay and it’s more gentle waves. Imsouane’s other surf break, Cathedral Point in the other bay (to the west), is more suited to advanced surfers due to its bigger swells.
After researching different surf schools, we decided to take a lesson with Hicham from Imdukal Surf as the group is limited to five people and his reviews were glowing. We booked his lesson via Viator online and have absolutely no regrets! Hicham is a fantastic and patient instructor but also really laidback and friendly, which helped us feel more comfortable and enjoy the lesson as beginners.
Only Lucy was able to take part as unfortunately I was injured, but she did brilliantly and thoroughly enjoyed her time on the waves during the hazy morning. Hicham got her standing quickly and overall it was a much better experience than we had further south during a choppy day in Anza.
If you’re looking for a surf lesson in Imsouane, look no further than Imdukal Surf!
Book The Same Lesson Here: Learn To Surf With Hicham
Enjoy The Beaches
A wedge between two golden sand bays, Imsouane has two stretches of beach to enjoy: Plage Imsouane facing west and The Bay facing south.
Of these, The Bay is the most picturesque as the sharp cliff face and looming mountain backdrop combined with the long, mesmerising waves make for a truly epic setting!
However, on the other side of town, Plage Imsiouane was our favourite for a relaxing beach day. But a big reason for this was that we visited during the summer school holidays and The Bay was much more crowded than normal!
Both beaches have sections of loungers and parasols which you can rent for around 60 MAD per two people. The water is shallow and easy to access for swimming and there were lifeguards on duty during our visit. Although, as with most surf spots, you just have to be aware of rip currents, strong waves breaking, and surfers riding into shore.
After the destruction of the Tasblast area, which sat up above Plage Imsouane, it was tricky to get down to the beach due to the rubble and no official access points. However, on our second visit we found there are now a couple of access stairs that have been built. I’d recommend the steps next to Isli Slab to get down to Plage Imsouane.
The main access point to The Bay on the other hand, next to Reef Point Surf Shop, was undergoing significant development while we were there. The area was being paved, a new walkway has been built around the cliff face, and several wooden surf shops and cafes have been constructed. This part of town looks like its going to be a great little surfing hub that will likely be finished by the time of your visit.
Take In Every Imsouane Sunset
A spectacular part of our time in Imsouane was the sunsets.
Lighting the sky up in a burning blaze of yellow, turning to orange and then to red, sunset was our favourite time of day as half of the town directly faces west, which is perfect for watching the sun drop below the ocean horizon. And coastal sunsets like this are just my favourite!
The best sunset spots in Imsouane are on Plage Imsouane and up on the bank above it. I’d recommend Isli Slab cafe as it has a great vantage point and is the perfect place to sit back and enjoy golden hour with a mint tea!
Another place that we liked for sunset was along the northern cliff past Ocean Point Campsite. From here, we had a great view of Imsouane which looks stunning in the soft orange light!
Hike Along The Southern Cliffs
The scenic views in Imsouane don’t stop there though.
At the most easterly point in town, just past Peak House Imsouane, there’s a dirt trail that leads along the side of the mountain above The Bay. As you follow the trail, you’re rewarded with some breathtaking views of both the southern mountain coastline and the long breaking waves.
It’s only a short trail of just over 500m and once you reach the end (which takes around 10 minutes), there’s a concrete pathway and stairs that lead down to the last sandy section of The Bay.
This is the quietest section of beach in Imsouane and you can walk back around the beach to town at high tide. However, at low tide, it gets cut off and you’ll either need to retrace your steps up and along the trail or get wet!
Check Out The Harbour, Pier, And Blue Fishing Boats
You can’t come to Imsouane without having a wander around the harbour – the point that splits the two bays.
Packed with traditional blue trawlers, we also passed fresh fish being grilled in front of the harbour restaurants as we made our way down towards the pier.
Like in the other towns we visited, I couldn’t resist snapping a few photos of the blue boats as they’re the standout feature of the harbour!
But also make sure to walk all they way out on the pier too as there is a great view back of the seaside apartments lining the cliff that overlooks Magic Bay. It’s also a good vantage point to watch the surfers line up and wait to catch a long wave into The Bay.
Eat Fresh Fish At A Harbour Restaurant
A popular thing to do in Imsouane is to pick your own fish from the harbour market and have it grilled at one of the restaurants.
This isn’t really our thing but we still wanted to make the most of it and eat some fresh fish while we were there.
So, we simply headed to Chez Jolo, one of the best fish restaurants in the harbour, and chose a couple of the fresh Seabass and Red Snapper fillets they had on display to be cooked fresh for us.
They have some nice waterfront seating and the mixed seafood platter served to the table next to us looked like a great choice – too bad we were already half way through our meal!
If you’d prefer a rooftop setting, Restaurant La Ola is a good choice with views overlooking the harbour.
Join A Yoga Class
A great way to embrace the chilled vibe of Imsouane is to join a yoga class.
There are lots of places offering classes, including Aman and Slow Life, and many of the surf camps include yoga in their packages.
We chose to join one on the rooftop of Olo Surf and Nature which cost 150 MAD for a one hour session. Located on the front line overlooking The Bay, it was just the perfect setting to unwind during a sunset vinyasa class.
Before arriving in Imsouane, we messaged their Instagram page to get the current yoga schedule but if you’re already in town, just head in to reception to book your spot.
Learn To Surfskate
As well as people surfing the waves, we also saw people surfskating along Imsouane’s paved streets.
For those who haven’t heard of this before, surf skating is essentially skateboarding but on a slightly different-shaped board so you can replicate the movements of surfing. Basically, a way for surfers to practice on dry land.
We saw surfskate rentals in Olo Surf and Nature and Slow Life Surf House with hourly and daily prices.
Passing Slow Life Surf House on our first morning, we saw a sign advertising skateboarding lessons. As I’d been fancying giving it a go, I thought this would be a great chance to learn some fundamentals so I booked a lesson.
I ended up having a great time with Ayman who helped me make more progress in just an hour than I’d anticipated!
However, it turns out that Ayman was volunteering at Slow Life for a month and then planning to move on so I’m unsure if they’ll still be offering lessons.
You can book a surf skate lesson in Imsoune on Viator though. Just click here and after selecting a date, an option will appear to choose between a surfskate, surfing, or sandboarding activity.
Look Out For Colourful Street Art
Wandering around the streets that are mixed with local life and surf houses, something that immediately stood out was the street art.
And it stood out because it was different to the normal graffiti and gang sign eyesores we are used to seeing in Scotland. Instead, the Imsouane street art is full of colourful surf-inspired graphics.
I’m still trying to decide if the camel carrying the surfboard or the cat sleeping with a Moroccan teapot was my favourite!
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Best Time To Visit Imsouane
In terms of weather, Imsouane enjoys pleasant temperatures all year with Morocco’s Atlantic coast seeing high teen to low twenties in the winter and highs of around thirty degrees during the summer months.
So in this respect, you can enjoy a comfortable visit here at any time of year.
However, as Imsouane is predominantly a surf town these days, the high season is dictated by the waves. This falls between October and April with the most crowded time being December and January when the waves are at their best.
The summer period (May through September) is considered the low season in Imsouane with fewer visitors and cheaper accommodation prices. However, there can be less options during this time with some restaurants and cafes closing in summer. We visited in late June and although it felt very quiet, there were still ample restaurants open.
How To Get Around
As you have probably gathered by now, Imsouane isn’t very big at all. Therefore, everywhere is accessible by foot so you don’t have to worry about taxis or transport.
Alternatively, skate culture is popular here too, so if you are comfortable on a board, the roads are well-paved and suitable for skating.
Where To Eat
When rolling into a small and relatively isolated town like Imsouane, we weren’t sure what the quantity or quality of food options there would be.
However, there are actually more restaurant choices than we had anticipated with burgers and pizzas commonly featured on menus alongside traditional Moroccan dishes.
Each day we enjoyed a Berber omelette for breakfast at Isli Slab while looking over Plage Imsouane below.
Targant and Chez Karim were also among our favourite dinner spots serving affordable dishes including tagine, cous cous, French tacos as well as pizza, pasta, and salads.
In terms of higher end restaurants, Olo Restaurant and Les 3S are solid options but our favourite was Loued Coffee Shop where we enjoyed a couple of tasty burgers on Lucy’s birthday.
Other mentions are Hafid’s for local, home cooked-style food and Restaurant Chez Jolo for fresh fish dishes in the harbour area.
Coffee In Imsouane
Good espresso-based coffee is plentiful in Imsouane, but we’re still searching for a good quality flat white or cappuccino. If you like a milk-based coffee I’d recommend ordering a nos nos (half coffee and half milk) as they were mostly pretty good.
Imi Bay was our favourite cafe with its boho vibe and amazing views over The Bay. A few others we liked were the cafe attached to Olo, Isli Slab, and Anzar.
ATMs
There’s now an ATM in Imsouane next to Tasra Bakery at the back of town which is handy as you used to have to go all the way to Tamri if you needed to withdraw cash!
However, it has a 50 MAD fee per withdrawal, so I’d recommend withdrawing cash in Agadir, Essaouira, or Marrakech before coming. Even better would be to use an Al Barid ATM as they are the only ones in Morocco that don’t have withdrawal fees.
No matter where you choose to withdraw cash, it’s essential that you do as it’s the only payment method accepted in most establishments.
How Long To Spend In Imsouane
You can get a feel for the town and see everything there is to see in one day, so if you are short on time or are driving along the coast you can enjoy a quick visit.
However, we definitely felt the pull to stay longer and would even have extended our three nights if we had the time! The slow pace of life in Imsouane is almost addictive.
As I mentioned, many people come to join a surf camp so it’s not uncommon for people to stick around for a week or more.
But if you’re the type of person who gets bored easily and you aren’t doing much surfing, then a few days is plenty.
FAQs
Is Taghazout Or Imsouane better?
Both are great for surfing but Taghazout is more developed with more going on and a livelier atmosphere whereas Imsouane is much more laid-back and authentic.
When To Surf In Imsouane?
The peak surf season in Imsouane is December through January, but you can still enjoy good surf in October to November and February to March with fewer crowds.
To Finish
A small town that is a big name in the world of surfing, Imsouane has a special vibe. It’s a perfect little spot for those seeking epic surf and the ultimate laid-back atmosphere!
Even as non-surfers, we enjoyed our time here and would recommend checking it out if you have time in your Morocco itinerary!
Pin It For Later!
More Morocco Travel Guides
Heading elsewhere in Morocco? Find more detailed travel guides filled with helpful information and inspiration for your trip below.
- A Complete Guide To Tamraght
- Ultimate Taghazout Travel Guide
- Best Beaches In Taghazout
- Best Day Trips And Tours From Agadir
- Ultimate Guide To Taroudant: Morocco’s ‘Little Marrakech’
- How To Visit Taroudant From Agadir
- Is Paradise Valley Worth Visiting?
- Crocoparc Agadir: Everything You Need To Know For Visiting
- Getting From Agadir To Taghazout: All You Need To Know
- A Guide To Essaouira’s Beaches
- How To Get From Marrakech To Agadir
