Imsouane

Imsouane (إمسوان) is neither a neighbourhood of Essaouira nor a commune of its province. The fishing village belongs to the prefecture of Agadir Ida-Outanane, in the Souss-Massa region. Its rural commune had 7,096 residents at the 2024 census, across its whole territory rather than the village alone. The village is 99 km and 1 h 35 by road from Bab Doukkala, by our route calculation, and 93 km from Agadir: almost halfway.

On our map of the neighbourhoods and surroundings, it is the furthest zone, nearly four times as far as the village of Sidi Kaouki, 26 km away. Our view: a day is enough to see the bay and surf one session. To make progress, stay over.

The bay, the point and the harbour

The village sits around a small fishing harbour, with a boat yard and a fishermen’s cooperative, according to OpenStreetMap. The bay opens just south of the harbour. It peels a right-hander that the village’s camps present as fine for every level, longboarders included. Cathedral Point, on the north-western tip, is a more powerful right, which the same camps keep for experienced surfers in a big swell.

Everything here is done on foot. From the boat yard to the last houses in the north, our walking-route calculation gives 1.1 km and 15 minutes, and 14 minutes to Cathedral Point. The surf houses, the camps and the small restaurants all fit into that kilometre. Our view: learn in the bay, and leave Cathedral to those who already surf it.

For a first lesson there is no need to drive 99 km: Essaouira’s own bay is enough. Our surfing section compares the coast’s four surf spots, level by level.

The season: October to April

The season is Essaouira’s: October to April, when the trade wind drops and the winter swell arrives. Off Imsouane, waves average 1.7 m in August and September and 2.1 to 2.4 m from November to March. Their period lengthens from 6 to 8 seconds in summer to about 10 seconds in winter, by our calculation on ten years of data.

The water averages 17 °C in February and March and 20 °C in October, according to Open-Meteo’s marine model. You wear a wetsuit all year. One of the village camps warns that the bay gets crowded in high season, October to March. Our advice: October and November, when the swell has settled in and the water is still at 19 or 20 °C.

Before you set off, today’s wind and our seven-day forecast show whether the trade wind has dropped along the coast.

Getting there, and back before dark

The road follows the N1 for 80 km, then leaves it for an 8.5 km descent to the harbour, by our calculation. Allow 1 h 35 without stops, so 3 h 10 at the wheel for the round trip. CTM does not serve the village: its nearest stop is Tamanar, 31 km away.

Our view: hire a car for the day. At a camp, ask whether the transfer from Essaouira is included. Our day trips page weighs the car against the organised outing.

Drive back in daylight. The sun sets in Imsouane at 17:42 on 21 December and at 19:46 on 21 June, by our calculation. We advise against driving this road after dark. In winter, leave the village around 16:00.

Staying over, and what to avoid

You sleep in Imsouane in a surf house or a surf camp, between the harbour and the northern point. Three of the village camps list a week with lodging, lessons and gear on their own sites, from €531 to €680 as starting prices. Meals range from three a day to breakfast plus five dinners. As for the transfer, one camp lists it as included in its package and as an extra in its FAQ, so read the small print. Surf camp packages are sorted in our accommodation section.

Part of the village, built on the maritime public domain, was demolished in January 2024. Before paying a deposit, ask the camp for its exact address and a recent photo. Our view: between October and March, do not turn up without a booking.