Spot guide
Surfing Tamri: everything you need to know
The wave at Tamri
Tamri is a long, open beach break between Taghazout and Imsouane, facing west-north-west straight into the Atlantic. It has no headland or bay to shelter it, and that is exactly why surfers love it: it catches more swell than any other spot on this coast. On days when the famous right-hand points are flat, Tamri is often still producing surfable waves.
As a beach break, it offers shifting peaks over sand, with both lefts and rights depending on how the sandbanks sit. From about half a metre it starts to break; between 0.8 and 1.8 metres it is at its best, with punchy, fun waves spread along the beach. The flip side of all that exposure is that when the swell gets big, Tamri closes out, and above about 2.5 metres it is usually just a line of whitewater. The waves here have more power than the beginner beaches around Tamraght, so expect a bit more of a workout.
Best conditions for surfing Tamri
| Condition | What works |
|---|---|
| Swell direction | SW to N |
| Wave size | Works from 0.5 m, best 0.8 to 1.8 m, too big above 2.5 m |
| Period | No minimum, even short swells can work |
| Wind | Light, or offshore from the ESE |
| Tide | Works on all tides |
| Best season | All year, especially when the rest of the coast is small |
Tamri takes almost any swell direction from south-west round to north, and it does not need a long period to break. That makes it a reliable option on small days. What it does need is a clean wind: it is fully exposed to the north wind, so it gets bumpy quickly once the breeze picks up. Aim for light winds or an offshore from the ESE, and look at the forecast above, which already takes the tide and exposure into account.
Who should surf Tamri?
Tamri is best for confident intermediate and advanced surfers. If you can paddle out through the whitewater, catch green waves on your own and pick your own peak, you will have a great time here, especially on days when the points are too small to bother with.
Complete beginners will find it tougher than the sheltered beaches nearer home. The waves are more powerful, the beach is open, and there can be currents between the sandbanks. You will learn much faster at Tamraght beach, and our guide to learning to surf in Morocco explains where to start. Advanced surfers should come here for fun, powerful beach-break peaks when the reefs are asleep.
Hazards and local tips at Tamri
- Rip currents. Open beaches like Tamri have channels where water flows back out to sea. Spot them from the beach before you paddle out, and if you get caught, paddle sideways rather than against it.
- Close-outs on bigger days. When the swell is large, the waves close out and paddling out becomes hard work. Choose a smaller day or another spot.
- Pick your peak. One of the joys of a beach break is space. Spread out along the beach rather than sitting on top of other surfers.
- Wind check. If it is already blowing hard from the north, Tamri will be messy. Go early.
- Bring what you need. It is more remote than Taghazout, so take water, sun protection and something warm for after the session.
- Etiquette still applies. Do not drop in, and be friendly with the locals and other surfers in the water.
How to get to Tamri from Tamraght
Tamri is north of Taghazout on the coast road towards Imsouane. From our riad in Tamraght it is about 45 minutes by car, driving past Taghazout, the points and Boilers along the way. From Agadir, allow a little more time. The beach is wide and open, so you can usually see the conditions as you arrive.
When to go to Tamri
You can surf Tamri all year. In summer, when swells are smaller and softer and much of the coast goes quiet, Tamri is often the one spot still breaking, which is why it has its reputation. From October to April the Atlantic sends bigger swells; that is when the points come alive, and Tamri is at its best on the smaller or medium days of that season rather than the big ones.
Mornings are usually the best time, before the north wind builds in the afternoon. Because it works on all tides, the wind and swell size matter more than the tide chart. For water temperature, expect around 20 to 22°C from July to November, when a 3/2 wetsuit is fine, and a cooler 17 to 18°C in winter and spring, when a 4/3 is better. Our article on the best time to surf Morocco has more detail.
Surfing Tamri with Surf Chill Vibe
Tamri is one of the first spots our guides think of on small, flat-looking days. We drive guests there when it offers the best waves for their level, and it is a favourite for intermediate surfers who want powerful beach-break peaks. Transport to the spots is included in our surf packages, and you can add coaching or board rental if you need it.
Coach's tip: The summer saviour: check here when the rest of the coast is flat.
