Tips for Imsouane: Your top tourist guide n°1

Imsouane, a small Amazigh fishing village lost behind the Anti Atlas mountains, has become a dream destination for surfers while keeping its authenticity.

What you need to know before you go:

🚗 Due to its isolated location, getting to Imsouane can be tricky. It is better to go there by car. For lovers of beautiful rugged roads coming from the NORTH, you can take the Argan highway exit before Agadir and cross the mountains to reach Imsouane. (see videos)

✈️ The largest and closest airport is Agadir then Essaouira. To avoid paying more than 600dhs for the trip from the airport to Imsouane:

🚌 You can go to the bus station and take a big taxi shared with 6 people, it will cost less than 100 dhs.

You can also use the famous cheap Souk To Surf bus from Taghazout, Tamraght or Essaouira to get to Imsouane.

💵 There is no ATM in Imsouane to withdraw money. The nearest ATM is in Tamanar (south) or Tamri (north) village.

🏖 Beaches are not perfect for sunbathing. At high tide, there is no sand to land on and at low tide the sand could be soaked.. (see video low tide then high tide)

🏄‍♀️ Best surf season is between October and April, otherwise it's pretty flat..

📣Another virgin village with wild beaches ideal especially for surfing, I do not recommend for families with children who seek the comfort of all-inclusive hotels.

🍺 No alcohol being sold in the village.

📜A bit of history

✏️Etymology: the name Imsouane is an Amazigh name composed of two words:
– imi: which means the mouth: the size of the port is like a mouth
– isouane: well wet or drinking.

⚓️Normally Imsouane is not the tourist village known now but more the 'Douar' towards the national road where the families of fishermen live and where there is a traditional school. Fishing was the main activity in Imsouane. Each boat must donate a share of its fish harvest to the school.

📃 In 1992, the municipality of Imsouane was created.

📑 In 1995 a cooperative was created to develop traditional sea fishing in the small port of Imsouane, based on improving the working and living conditions of local fishermen.

📄 In 1998, the construction of the fishing village was funded by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency in partnership with the ONP, the Ministry of Fisheries and the wilaya of Agadir. (storage stores for sailors, cooperative premises, fuel depot, fish market, etc.)

📣 You have understood it now, today's Imsouane is very new and the real village of Imsouane is further from the beach where there are the real locals.

👎 Unfortunately, the town planning of the village distorts this magnificent site. The constructions do not respect any standard. It's a shame that the authorities (architects, developers, etc.) are not sensitive to the aesthetics of the place.

​🏄‍♀️​Surfing in Imsouane

Imsouane, Morocco's surfing paradise, is becoming one of the world's favorite surfing destinations.

🌊 Imsouane has almost perfect surfing conditions, an endless right, considered one of the longest waves in the world.

☀️ This hidden gem of Morocco is ideal to visit in winter, both for the waves and for the beautiful sunny weather.

Surf spots:

🏄 The Bay: where there is one of the longest waves in the world ! Imagine surfing a wave of 800 m for around 3 minutes?! It is also the best spot for longboarding in Morocco. You can reach the peak easily from the port. It is a spot for all levels, surrounded by beautiful landscapes.

🏄‍♂️ The Reef: The spot that works when the bay doesn't. Nice left wave that allows experienced surfers to exploit the wave with a few maneuvers. It can dig with a medium swell. Amazing for a sunset session!

🏄‍♀️ La Cathedrale: The spot you better not tackle when you don't have the required experience. The favorite spot for body boarders and short boarders. That said, just seeing the locals having fun at Cathedral point is already a treat

🍴Where to eat in Imsouane?

Honestly, Imsouane is not the best village to eat in Morocco. The quality/price ratio is generally average. The choice is limited. So the best option for me remains fresh fish at the port or cooking if you have accommodation with a kitchenette.

🥞However, I fell in love with breakfast at the new O Happy Bay restaurant pictured. What could be better than eating well with a breathtaking view 😍

🐟 Being a fishing village, the choice is automatic to eat. You can buy fresh fish straight from the local market and grill it at Chez JOLO, an open-air restaurant perched at the mouth of Imsouane Bay with a panoramic view of the harbor and bay. You can also order your fish directly at the restaurant by asking for the catch of the day.

🥬 Anzar restaurant offers a friendly menu suitable for vegetarians and vegans (which is rare in Morocco). The quality / price ratio is affordable.

🍔 Wave restaurant, I tested their burgers twice. The first time: big crush! Second time, the quality has deteriorated. So I can't comment on that.

🛏 Where to sleep in Imsouane?

📍Imi Bay

If you are looking for comfort and a good atmosphere while staying connected to the bay, I have found the perfect place for you in Imsouane: Imi Bay.

🌞 One of the most luxurious in Imsouane, Imi bay is a new eco-friendly accommodation that offers everything you need, whether for surfing or for a simple stay under the sun.

🏊‍♀️ Perched on a cliff overlooking the famous bay of Imsouane, Imi bay has an infinity pool on the rooftop with a breathtaking view.

🛏 The double room is from 110 euro, the apartment with 2 bedrooms (4 people) is at 180 euro, the apartment with 3 bedrooms (6 people) is at 240 euro.

🔗I suggest you check out their official site to see all the offers including surf packages .

🌊 All rooms have the same panoramic view of the bay.

🥞 Breakfast is included and is served from 7:30 am in the restaurant with garden.

🏨 Auberge Imsouane Parc

I present to you, the perfect accommodation for calm, location and value for money in Imsouane: Auberge Imsouane Parc.

🛏 Comfortable bedding and well-equipped room.

📣Make sure you book the room with a view. There are only 3 bay view rooms.

💰 The price is from 400 dhs. It varies according to season.

🍴The rooftop restaurant has a breathtaking view of the bay.

📣 You cannot book online. Here is the number of one of the managers: 0653293785 Ismail.

🏨 Cathedral Wave

And here is Imsouane's favorite accommodation. Literally foot on the sea facing Cathedrale Point.

💰 It's from 300dhs/night per room. Unbeatable value for money with a breathtaking view of the sea.

🌊 Nothing luxurious, but authentic. These are redeveloped fishermen's caves. The owner is an old local lady named Mi Yamena. text

⚠️ Shared toilets/showers and kitchens.

📞 You won't find online, here is Mohammed's phone number who manages 0684014165.

🌅Best place to watch sunsets

🏞 Hiking in Imsouane

🏞Foz Do Imsouane, what I nicknamed it!
After a good hike from the Oued to the north of Imsouane, we come across this little paradise hidden and unknown to tourists.

🐪 On the road, we met lots of camels.
A magnificent setting between the ocean in front, the camels and the Anti-Atlas in the background!

📍 This is on the way from Cathedrale Pointe to the North coast, towards Tilit.

🥾 What is magical in Imsouane is that around it is still wild and you can easily hike either to the North or the South and you come across wild beaches that are difficult to access so still clean, preserved mass tourism and which keep their natural charm.

🎥 Check my Video Reel to see more about this place on Instagram

What to see around Imsouane?

Welcome to the most atypical sand dunes overlooking the Atlantic called Timlalin or Taboga (also the name of the wild beach below).

📍 They are located just after Tamri (the village famous for its beldi bananas) on national road 1 coming from Agadir. Exactly between Tamri beach and Tildi beach.

🥾 The minimum hike to climb the dunes and visit the site is 15min it can go up to hours if you are more adventurous and curious.

🦅 You will probably come across the local bird where its last colony in the world is found here, the bald ibis.

🏜 This place is famous for sandboarding. An activity that has developed thanks also to surfing, which is very popular in this region. Some people even bring their surfboards to sandboard here haha. This is a version, adapted to the sand of the snowboard.

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