Spot guide
Surfing Banana Point: everything you need to know
The wave at Banana Point
Banana Point is a right-hand point break at the mouth of the Aourir river, in the village often called Banana Village thanks to the banana plantations that line the valley. It sits just south of Tamraght and faces south-west, which tucks it in behind the coastline. That shape has two effects: it needs a bigger swell than the open beaches to start breaking, and it is sheltered from the north wind that often ruffles the rest of the coast.
When it works, the wave wraps around the point and peels to the right along a bottom of sand and rock shaped by the river. There are really two waves in one. The outside section is longer, with more wall and more speed, and on a good day you can link several turns. The inside is softer and slower, a friendly place for surfers who are still learning to angle along a wave rather than straight at the beach. On the biggest days in its range the outside gets powerful and the current along the point becomes noticeable.
Best conditions for surfing Banana Point
| Condition | What Banana Point likes |
|---|---|
| Swell direction | W to NNW |
| Wave size | Starts at about 0.6 m, best from 1 to 2.4 m, too big above 3.2 m |
| Period | 8 seconds or more |
| Wind | Light, or offshore from the NE; sheltered from the north wind |
| Tide | Works on most tides |
| Best season | October to April |
Banana Point wakes up when a winter swell of eight seconds or more comes from the west or north-west. Because it works on most tides, it is also a flexible spot to plan around, which is part of why we use it so much. The shelter from the north wind is the real bonus: when the trade wind is blowing and the beach breaks turn messy, Banana Point is often still clean. The live forecast above shows how today's swell, wind and tide add up for this spot.
Who should surf Banana Point?
Banana Point is rated for all levels, but that comes with an important condition: the size of the day.
- Beginners: on small and medium days, the inside is a gentle place to ride small, clean waves, as long as you are with an instructor and stay out of the way of surfers coming down the line from the outside.
- Improvers: this is where Banana Point really shines. It is our go-to winter spot for surfers who are ready to ride unbroken waves and practise trimming and turning along a point.
- Intermediate and advanced: on a solid swell the outside offers long, fun rides, and the shelter from the wind makes it a good option on afternoons when other spots are blown out.
On big days, near the top of its range, leave it to experienced surfers.
Hazards and local tips
- There are rocks around the point and the river mouth. Watch where others enter and exit before you paddle out.
- Stay in your zone: beginners on the inside, experienced surfers on the outside. Never paddle straight across the path of someone riding down the line.
- A current runs along the point on bigger days. Paddle back up the line-up steadily rather than fighting it.
- Right-hand point etiquette matters here: the surfer deepest on the wave, closest to the peak, has priority. Read our surf etiquette guide if you are new to point breaks.
- After heavy rain the river carries runoff into the sea, so it is sensible to wait a day or two before surfing.
- In winter it gets busy, especially at weekends. Early mornings are calmer.
How to get to Banana Point
Banana Point is about 5 minutes by car from our riad in Tamraght, heading south along the coast road towards Aourir and Agadir. It is so close that it often becomes the first spot we check on a winter morning. Further south, towards Agadir, is Anza, another right-hand point that likes a bigger swell, while Tamraght beach is just a couple of minutes back north.
When to go
October to April is the season, when North Atlantic swells are big and consistent enough to reach into the point. In summer Banana Point is often too small, and the beach breaks are a better bet. Winter water is around 17 to 18°C, so pack a 4/3 wetsuit.
Since it works on most tides and is protected from the north wind, Banana Point is useful throughout the day. Mornings are usually the cleanest and least crowded, but when the afternoon wind picks up elsewhere, this is one of the few places that can stay surfable. For a wider picture of the season, see our guide to the best time to surf Morocco.
Surfing Banana Point with Surf Chill Vibe
Banana Point is one of our favourite spots for improvers in winter. Our local instructors use the inside for coached sessions on small days and take more confident surfers out to the longer rides on the outside, always in small groups. It is just five minutes from the riad, and transport is included in our surf packages. You can also book a single group or private lesson if you are staying nearby.
Coach's tip: Our go-to winter spot for improvers: the inside is friendly, the outside is long and fun.
