REVIEW: Surf Taghazout Hostel, Morocco

Contents: The Atmosphere | The Staff | The Room | The Price | The Location | Details

After a hectic week in the medina of Marrakech, and a two-year gap since my last surf trip, I couldn’t have been more excited when a friend over at Stoke Travel suggested I visit Surf Taghazout, just a three hour bus ride from Marrakech.

I had managed to book an incredibly cheap flight from Agadir to Marseille just a few days before so figured why not spend the week beforehand chilling by the ocean.

And when I say that Surf Taghazout is by the ocean. This is where I had my first meal once I arrived…

The Atmosphere

On arriving at the hostel, I was greeted by the absolutely fabulous Ahmid rushing out of the door to take my bags and show me in. I will mention the staff later, and whilst they were all welcoming and helpful, Ahmid’s enthusiastic impression on me in those first few minutes lasted the rest of my stay. Very rarely have I met a staff member willing to go 200% out of their way to make sure the guests are having a great time.

Once in, it was clear that I was in a surf hostel. Guests were lounging on the homely sofas exhausted after an intense day riding the waves, and locals were busy in the kitchen preparing the evening’s dinner. Once it was ready, we were all called together to eat out on the terrace with a view of the sunset and instantly I felt like I had found a home away from home.

The Staff

The staff at Surf Taghazout couldn’t have been more kind and generous with their time and energy. Whilst it was only Said, the owner, who had a high level of English, the locals working there are determined to go out of their way to provide for you as much as they can.

I arrived just before dinner, and as this is served as a family affair on the terrace I was given the chance to meet the other guests and get to know the staff straight away. Towards the end of the week, Ahmid even went to the trouble of setting us up a bonfire on the beach below, which couldn’t have been more perfect after a long day of surfing.

With the same few staff working daily, life at Surf Taghazout is more like a homestay than your average hostel – and as I am all for finding homes on the road I really feel like I found the perfect home in Taghazout with the hostel staff.

The Room

Surf Taghazout offers a mix of dorm rooms and private twins and doubles – and as it was a relatively low season whilst I was there I was able to get a bed in an empty dorm in which I slept like a baby for five nights.

Whilst a little squeeky, the mattresses are really comfortable and the staff are more than willing to provide extra blankets if you need them – not that you should in the heat of Morocco!

The only request I would have would be for more lockers, as these seemed scarce and as a travel blogger I carry a lot of valuables. However, it’s almost impossible for anyone not staying at the hostel to get in – and if they did the hostel is so small it would be obvious that they weren’t a guest. I felt more than secure leaving my valuables under the watchful eyes of the local staff.

The Price

For a surf hostel in one of the most popular surf spots for beginners in Morocco, Surf Taghazout offers packages that are great value for money. All their packages include accommodation, surf equipment rental, transport to and from the hostel from Agadir airport… and the incredible meals I have already mentioned.

The most basic package offers everything mentioned above plus accommodation for seven nights in a mixed shared dorm for 349 EUR, which is great value for money! If you’re an absolute beginner, surf lessons only cost an extra 26 EUR for a week, bringing the total cost to 375 EUR.

The Location

Surf Taghazout is a five minute walk from the small town of Taghazout, which you can reach easily by local bus or taxi (around 15 EUR) from Agadir. However, if you buy a surf camp package then Agadir airport pick up and transport is included and the wonderful staff will bring you straight to the front door of the hostel.

The best thing about the location of Surf Taghazout? This is the view from the terrace…

In 30 seconds you can be waking yourself up in the morning in the fresh North Atlantic Ocean, or ending the day practicing yoga on the soft sands.

Surf Taghazout Details

Address: Taghazout KM 20, Route d; Essaouira, Agadir, Morocco

Phone: +212616799068

Email: info@surftaghazout.com

Also, don’t forget to follow Surf Taghazout on Facebook to keep up to date with their special offers and seasonal discounts!

I would like to thank Surf Taghazout and Stoke Travel for arranging my stay with them, but as always opinions are honest and my own.

Lots of love,