Anchor Point

Surf Guide

Ever since its discovery back in the day, Anchor Point has been Morocco's most legendary wave. It's a long, long right point that runs along a rock shelf, with hollow sections and lots of room for high-performance surfing. It's easy location in the town of Taghazoute and its consistency in the winter months make it the center of surfing in the region. Much of the town has built up around it and caters to the traveling surfer. Rooms are for rent from cheap to decent, for long and short term stays; internet cafes are popping up, along with eating establishments that cater to Westerners; and surf schools are attracting ever more beginners - often from Europe's inland countries such as Germany and Switzerland. Unfortunately for this world-class break, it's also crowded and the changes from sleepy Moroccan village to surf travel crossroads of the world have taken the adventure and experience of exotic Morocco out of the place. It might be the Moroccan version of Rosarito, B.C., Mexico, without the booze and strip clubs. On the other hand, there are at least four world-class breaks within driving distance, so the crowd spreads out and epic sessions abound. And Anchor Point can hold any size swell up to triple overhead and beyond, making it the go to spot when the swell is macking. The wave itself peaks on the outside in front of a rock-shelf point with a small takeoff zone for the experienced surfer. As it rolls down the line it offers several sections that pitch and barrel at different tides, where the crowd strings out and shoulder hops. The paddle out can be daunting, necessitating a timed jump off slippery rocks, and the inexperienced hesitate and can be doomed. But the paddle in is worse when a big swell is running, as the whitewash batters the same rocks and makes luck and timing essential. As with most spots in Morocco, low tide is a must. Even a solid swell can go inconsistent and mushy at high tide, so you'll see the area littered with sunburned Euros hanging out with an eye on it through the afternoon, waiting for the tide to drop. Dawn can be good, and evening glass offs. The lower tide the better and more hollow. As for equipment, take your fast shortboard for the head high days, and a bigger, narrower board for when it gets big. If you're there in prime season, you'll use it.