Morocco is a Booming Surf Destination

Morocco stands as a burgeoning surf destination blessed with awesome waves, relatively cheap land, good transport links and heavy government investment in the surf industry

Morocco has 300 days of sunshine a year and 1,800 km of coastline on the Atlantic and Mediterranean. It offers a cost of living that is 53% lower than the United Kingdom. It's easier to get to Agadir from London than it is to travel from London to Edinburgh, and it's cheaper. It’s little wonder that surfing businesses on the Moroccan coast are proving profitable. The potential of the surfing industry to transform coastal towns in Morocco is huge. It is a route to more economic success and a path to more tolerant and wealthier communities. 

A few months ago, while in Imsouane at one of the longest waves in the world, I met a California tech bro named Ishaan who had first visited Morocco on a surf trip 20 years prior. At that time, some of the best surf spots in Morocco did not have roads leading to them. In some cases, hippie surfers would get camel rides to the best beaches. Some of those journeys that took upwards of 12 hours by camel 20 years ago can now be done in under an hour by car. Decades after his first visit, Ishaan had brought his young children and wife to show them the pristine surf spots of Morocco. As we looked out at the fishing village filled with foreign tourists he remarked at how the place had completely changed in the past 2 decades and he expects it to change even more in the next decade. As we spoke, a local woman who worked in a surf hotel commented that half of the buildings in the town had been constructed within the last 2 years. It was boom time and there are many more booming surf towns in Morocco. It’s a good time to be an entrepreneur in the Moroccan surf industry. 

The cost of land, compared to coastal towns in Italy or Spain, is cheaper but not as cheap as you might think. Some of the potential seems to be priced in. Here are some estimates of the price of land within a few minutes walk from the beach in selected towns. Note that this isn’t beachfront land, for beachfront land you should multiply these numbers by at least 3. Here are land prices in selected Moroccan surfing towns:

The surfing scene has seen steady growth since the 1960’s which has picked up in recent years following government investment in infrastructure. There are now over 200 surf camps dotted along the coastline. Taghazout was on the frontline of the development efforts and was part of the government’s 2020 vision plan. The government invested $1 billion in developing Taghazout and the surrounding areas from a sleepy fishing village into a world famous surf destination. The beaches are now lined with high-end hotels, over 2000 luxury apartments and the town features a skate park, restaurants, cafes and spas. It has been transformed through surf tourism. It is a more open and tolerant place that welcomes tourists, mostly surfers, from across the globe. 

Morocco has gone through a rebrand while retaining the culture, architecture and authenticity that makes it a world unto itself. In recent years, it has a more open, tolerant and welcoming image which is crucial to attracting tourists from around the world. It is turning into a manufacturing powerhouse having already become the largest exporter of cars in Africa. With access to key natural resources for batteries such as lithium, cobalt, and phosphates, along with a strategic location close to European markets, Morocco also aims to become a major player in the electric vehicle market. In 2022, the kingdom finished 4th in the world cup and is due to jointly host the FIFA World Cup in 2030 with Spain and Portugal, another boon for the tourism industry and for Morocco’s image. It boasts friendly relations with America, Israel, France and Britain. Last year over 14 million people visited the country, breaking an all time record for visitors. This number is expected to grow by an additional 4.2 million visitors by 2029. The airline, Ryan Air, recently announced a $1.4 billion investment in Morocco which will expand the number of flights from Northern Europe to Morocco and also begin domestic flights within the country. All this progress makes the country more alluring for tourists and entrepreneurs alike. 

So those are some good reasons to invest in the Moroccan surf industry. What are the challenges? Firstly, while the slow pace of life in the Mediterranean can be ideal for tourists it is a challenge for entrepreneurs who want to move fast and build things. It’s important that any company invests in a pragmatic and action-oriented culture of getting stuff done. Secondly, while it's possible to get an alcohol licence, and it’s especially easier for foreigners, it can be a long and cumbersome process. Make sure you factor this into any experiences where alcohol is sold. 

Furthermore, when buying land or properties in Morocco, there is no reliable property portal like the USA’s equivalent of Zillow. Buyers need to find local contacts who can show them land. If you’re not Moroccan yourself, then it's highly recommended to find a local who can help you find land and negotiate on your behalf. In many of the southern Surf areas around Taghazout, most communication will be done in Arabic rather than French or English. If you need a helping hand, then contact us and let us know what you’re looking to do, we’ll try to connect you with people on the ground. 

Finding your suppliers, like in any tourism business, can also be a challenge. The good news is that products can be much cheaper, and often of higher quality, than those you might find on the other side of the Mediterranean. Many regions of Morocco including the surf areas, have many co-operatives, often run by local women, that produce consistently high quality goods and at fair prices. We highly recommend reaching out to local co-operatives, particularly for stocking your restaurant and cafes. It’s a win-win for the local communities and for the entrepreneurs.

Morocco's surf industry presents promising opportunities amidst its evolving landscape and favourable economic climate. For those interested in investing, understanding and addressing the associated challenges will be key to success. The country is attracting more tourists than ever and investing heavily in surfing as a driver of that growth. If you found this interesting and would like more specific advice on how to invest in the surfing industry in Morocco then please let us know at hello@surfbiz.com