Spot guide
Surfing Anza: everything you need to know
The wave at Anza
Anza is a right-hand point break on the edge of Agadir, tucked in at the southern end of the stretch of coast that runs up through Aourir, Tamraght and Taghazout. It faces west-south-west, which means it sits a little in the lee of the coastline and needs a proper swell before it starts to work. On a small day you might drive past and see very little. When a winter swell arrives, though, the point lines up and the rights start to peel along the rocks in a much more organised way than the beach breaks nearby.
At the smaller end of its range, around the size where it first starts breaking, Anza is a fairly soft, rolling wave that rewards good positioning more than anything else. In its ideal range, from roughly shoulder height up to well overhead, the wave has more push and a steeper take-off, with a wall you can work down the line. As it approaches the upper limit on the fiche it becomes heavy, the current picks up along the point and sets can catch people sitting too wide. Beyond that it is simply too big to be sensible.
The bottom is rocky in places, as you would expect from a point, so this is not a wave to fall off carelessly on the inside at the wrong tide.
Best conditions for surfing Anza
| Condition | What Anza likes |
|---|---|
| Swell direction | W to NNW |
| Wave size | Starts at about 0.8 m, best from 1.2 to 2.5 m, too big above 3.5 m |
| Period | 9 seconds or more |
| Wind | Light, or offshore from the ENE; sheltered from the north wind |
| Tide | Mid tide |
| Best season | October to April |
The key ingredients are size and period. Anza needs a longer-period swell of at least nine seconds to wrap into the point properly, so short, choppy wind swell rarely does much here. The real advantage of the spot is its shelter from the north wind: on days when the trade wind is blowing the beaches of Tamraght to pieces, Anza can still be surfable and reasonably clean. Mid tide is the sweet spot. Check the live forecast above, which already weighs up the tide, wind and swell for this exact location.
Who should surf Anza?
Anza is a wave for confident intermediates and advanced surfers. You should be comfortable paddling out through a set, taking off on an unbroken wave on your own, and reading a line-up without help.
- Beginners: this is not the place to learn. Stay on the sandy beaches of Tamraght or Imourane, where the white water is forgiving and you are not dealing with rocks or a current along a point.
- Improvers: if you are starting to turn and can catch green waves reliably, Anza on a smaller, clean day can be a good step up. Go with someone who knows it.
- Intermediate and advanced: on a solid north-west swell with the north wind blowing elsewhere, Anza is one of the better options in the area.
Hazards and local tips
- Watch the spot for a good ten minutes before you paddle out, to see where people get in and out and where the sets are breaking.
- The rocks along the point are the main hazard, particularly on the inside and when getting back to shore. Booties can help if you are not used to rocky entries.
- On bigger days a current runs down the point. Do not fight it head-on; paddle back round to the take-off zone.
- Anza is close to the city and gets surfed by Agadir locals. Be patient, wait your turn and do not drop in. Our guide to surf etiquette covers the basics.
- Near a city, water quality can suffer after heavy rain. Many surfers give it a day or two after a big storm.
How to get to Anza
Anza sits on the northern edge of Agadir, south of Aourir and Banana Point. From our riad in Tamraght it is about 25 minutes by car, heading south along the coast road towards Agadir. It is easy to combine with a trip into the city, and if Anza turns out to be too small or too crowded, Banana Point is only a short drive back north.
When to go
The best time of year is October to April, when North Atlantic swells are bigger and more consistent. In summer the swell is usually too small to reach into the point, so you are better off on the beaches. Water temperature is around 17 to 18°C in winter and early spring, so a 4/3 wetsuit is the right choice; see our water temperature and wetsuit guide.
Because it is sheltered from the north wind, Anza can hold up in the afternoon better than many spots, but mornings are still usually the cleanest. Aim to be in the water around mid tide. It is typically the spot to check on a big north-west swell when the Tamraght beaches close out and Anchor Point is packed.
Surfing Anza with Surf Chill Vibe
We bring intermediate and advanced guests to Anza when a big swell and a strong north wind make it the best call of the day. Our local guides know how it changes with the tide and where to get in and out, and we keep groups small. Transport to the spots is included in our surf packages. If you would like to know whether Anza will be working during your stay, just get in touch.
Coach's tip: Worth a look on big north-west swells when the Tamraght beaches close out.
