Best beaches in Morocco
Daniel Jacobs heads to Agadir beach in Morocco, a long, wide, winter sun favourite.
The beach The long, wide beach is Agadir’s main draw, serviced by good four- and five-star hotels. The city itself is less interesting, but there are beauty spots and historic towns within easy day-trip striking distance. Who goes?
Sunseekers, especially in winter. There’s warm weather from March to October, and sunshine even in January, when it’s typically 68F during the day, though colder at night. Agadir’s clientele tends to be mature, but surfers also flock, not to Agadir’s main strand, but to less developed beaches such as Taghazoute, 11 miles north and served by local buses.
What is there to do?
Even if you stay on the beach, there’s plenty to keep you occupied in the form of water sports like wet-biking and parascending. In town, there’s a miniature zoo called the Valley of the Birds, or you can climb up to the kasbah (old citadel), on a hill to the north, for great views over the city.
Bars and bites
For wonderful tajines, head to L’Étoile de Marrakech (rue de la Foire; 00212 28 843999). There are stalls selling grilled fish by the port north of town, but you can eat freshly landed fish in more comfort, and with beer or wine, at the Yacht Club’s Restaurant du Port (843708) – it’s in the port area, beyond customs, so you’ll need to take your passport.
Getting there
There are direct charter flights from Britain to Agadir’s Al Massira airport, a 15-mile taxi ride from town. Otherwise, fly to Marrakesh and charter a grand taxi, which should cost around £40, though you’d need to haggle for that.
Morocco's Al Hoceima beach is ideal for scenic strolls and clean, clear waters.
The beach
A charming, low-key little Mediterranean resort, with a choice of beaches in town or further afield, surrounded by hills full of olive groves, all in the shadow of the beautiful Rif mountains.
Who goes?
French and German sun-seekers are the biggest contingent among foreign visitors, but most of the visitors are Moroccan. At the height of summer the main beaches can become quite crowded, but during the spring and autumn shoulder seasons it’s so quiet it’s almost idyllic.
What is there to do?
Swim in the clear, blue sea, take a scenic stroll up into the hills, or along the clifftop, or join the locals for the afternoon paseo along Avenue Mohammed V. Early in the morning you can watch the fishermen coming in on the town’s main beach (they fish at night with powerful lamps to attract the fish).
Bars and bites
For fish and seafood, freshly landed and freshly cooked, you can’t beat the Club Nautique by the fishing port (00212 39 981641). At the Hotel Chafarinas Beach (841 601), you can dine on gourmet food with magnificent sea views, but you’ll need to book. The town’s best bars are in the Quemado and Maghreb el Jadid hotels.
Getting there
Al Hoceima has an airport, but it isn’t served by flights from Britain, so your best bet is to fly into Tangier and charter a grand taxi (around £45). Alternatively, fly to the Spanish enclave of Melilla, or take a boat from Almería.
For paragliding, surfing and solitude, Mirhleft - a handful of small Moroccan beaches - is hard to beat.
The beach
Still largely undiscovered, Mirhleft is not so much one large beach as a handful of small ones, none of them busy, many of them excellent for surfing, and all within easy range of a friendly little town overlooked by an old Spanish fort.
Who goes?
Surfers, campers and paragliders led the way, but lately they’ve been followed by tourists avoiding the beaten track. The surfers favour the small hotels in Mirhleft itself, while campers and paragliders head for the beach at Legzira, 12 miles south, and upmarket visitors stay at the classy Auberge des Trois Chameaux (00212 28 719187;
Maison d'hôtes les 3 chameaux, Mirleft, Maroc. Maison d'hôte de Charme dans le grand Sud Marocain) just below the fort. Those seeking splendid isolation head for the Albergo de la Plage, on its own little beach, just over a mile south of town (719056).
What is there to do?
Go surfing, or paragliding (contact Welsh Airsports, 01443 879187;
Welsh Airsports Index), climb up to the fort to admire the view, or check out the amazing Art Deco architecture in Sidi Ifni, 18 miles south.
Bars and bites
Unless you’re eating at the Trois Chameaux, food in Mirhleft is decent rather than outstanding. The Sunset Pub is popular with the surfing crowd for its pizzas, pasta and fish, not to mention its cold beer. The Bonne Franquette can rustle up a tasty tajine, but you need to order an hour ahead.
Getting there
Get a grand taxi down from Tiznit, 25 miles north, or charter one straight from Agadir airport (around £45). Alternatively, take local bus 26, which runs every two hours from Tiznit to Sidi Ifni.
Morocco Newsline | Best beaches in Morocco | Beach, Fish, Town, Main, Agadir’s 
Daniel Jacobs heads to Agadir beach in 
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