Looking for the best yoga and surf retreats in Morocco? Surfing and yoga poses compliment each other perfectly, which makes them an ideal retreat combination.
In this guide – we outline the best yoga and surf retreats in Morocco to suit every budget, from Taghazout to Essaouira.
Hi! I’m Caroline, your wellness retreat travel guide. I’ve worked in the wellness industry for 15+ years & been lucky enough to stay at amazing health resorts around the world. Let’s get you inspired & prepared to go on your own retreat…
My first-ever fitness holiday was a surf and yoga stay in Taghazout, Morocco. It was actually the first time I tried yoga too and it set a pretty high bar. We worked through poses on a rooftop overlooking the Atlantic Ocean as the sun set. It was pretty special!
So it’s safe to say that I’m a huge fan of yoga and surfing retreats in general. There’s definitely something meditative about sitting in the line out as waves build. But Morocco has a special place in my heart as the first country where I ever got to experience it.
Over the years, I’ve tried out lots of other retreats and wellness resorts around the world. But nowhere offers quite the same combination of epic waves, soothing yoga settings, and warm hospitality. If you want a holiday that balances the active and the serene, then a Moroccan surf yoga retreat could be perfect.
Best Yoga & Surf Retreats in Morocco
So I’ve put together this list of the very best surf yoga retreats in Morocco, from Taghazout to Essaouira and beyond…
- Surf Berbere, Taghazout (best all round)
- Surf Maroc, Taghazout (cheapest and best for yoga-lovers)
- La Vida Surf, Essaouira (best for meditation)
- Surf and Soul, Oualidia (offers paddle-boarding and skateboarding too)
- Loving Surf, Essaouira (best for a long weekend)
- Salt House, Taghazout (offers surf skating)
- Raptive Surf Camp, Tamraght (best for luxury)
Surf Berbere, Surf Maroc, and La Vida Surf offer the best yoga and surf retreats in Morocco. But the others have additional qualities that might make them more suitable for your needs. Let’s look at each of these retreat options and what makes them so good…
Surf Berbere, Taghazout
Taghazout is the best surfing spot in Morocco and Surf Berbere are the OGs. This is where I did my first ever yoga and surf retreat back in 2009, and I’ve returned several times since. It’s the place that inspired my love of Moroccan fitness retreats and active holidays!
Like all the retreats on this list, they open year round and offer packages that combine daily surf lessons, supervised free surfing sessions, and yoga classes.
You’ll enjoy one yoga session each evening which is held on their open air rooftop terrace. The classes are designed specifically to complement surfing. The are intended to help you recover from a day of surfing, building strength and flexibility in the muscles that are most used on the board.
The yoga classes are limited to 12 people so you’ll always get focused attention from the teacher and it never feels crowded. But some of the other retreats on this list offer two yoga classes daily so if you want even more structured practice time, then keep reading for more options.
Their surf camp is located right on the water with incredible sunset views. Being right next to the shore means you can go to sleep with the windows open, listening to the sound of the waves crashing against the beach below. It really is peaceful.
I’ve never slept as well as I did in the bed at this place. Your body will be tired (in the best way) from a day of surfing followed by restorative yoga. I slept like a baby every single night that I stayed here.
The accommodation was rustic and full of character which added to the charm. They’ve expanded beyond the camp building to offer several apartment options too, so there’s plenty to choose from.
Surf Berbere retreats also serve fantastic food made with fresh ingredients. It’s that perfect combo of tasty and nutritious. There’s fresh fruit and cereal for breakfast, baguette with healthy fillings for lunch, and vegetable-packed tagine is just one of the memorable dinners.
The evening meals are served on the roof terrace and enjoyed as a group. It’s a really sociable event and I enjoyed having that relaxed environment to get to know my fellow surfers and yogis. It was the perfect opportunity to connect with other people – something you don’t get on normal holiday. The first time I went I was travelling solo so surf classes and group dinners made it easy to meet like-minded people.
Cost – Prices start at £470 (€547/$595) for one week which includes surf lessons, equipment, yoga classes, accommodation, and all meals.
Surf Maroc, Taghazout
Surf Maroc is another big name on the yoga surf scene in Morocco. They run retreats in their Villa Mandala, an ocean-front centre in Taghazout.
Their 7-day retreat programme includes two yoga sessions a day along with daily surf sessions. The yoga mixes vinyasa, pranayama, laughter yoga (which sounds really fun!), restorative, yin, yoga nidra, and meditation.
This is the retreat to choose if yoga is your priority. You get two 90-minute sessions each day (morning and evening) so three hours of practice daily. This is significantly more than several of the other retreats on this list.
Surf Maroc’s yoga retreat is also a bit more high end and all-encompassing. Some of the other companies in the region are surf camps first and then add-on yoga lessons. But Surf Maroc has a dedicated surf yoga centre where hosting retreats is all they do on a weekly basis.
Incredibly, these guys are also the cheapest surf yoga retreat on our list (if you’re going for a week). While one other has a cheaper deal for a 3-night stay, Surf Maroc offers the best value package for 7 nights.
Cost – Prices start at £320 (€371/$400) per person in a shared room or £520 (€609/$660) for private rooms.
La Vida Surf, Essaouira
La Vida Surf is a little bit different from the other retreats on this list. It’s a surf school but their retreats don’t include surfing as standard. Instead, they host fabulous yoga retreats with the option to add on some surfing as an additional activity.
You can choose from three retreat options; yoga and meditation, acro yoga and nature, or yoga and cooking. Sign us up immediately! We love how they offer a varied range of Moroccan-inspired wellness activities beyond surfing and yoga.
If you’re keen to practice meditation on your yoga retreat, then La Vida Surf is our top pick. They start the day with some journalling before a healthy breakfast. This is followed by a yoga class which includes guided meditation and pranayama sessions.
After this, you might take part in a yoga workshop, head into nature for some mindful hiking, or explore nearby Essaouira’s sights. This is also the ideal time to book in a surf session, Hammam ritual, or try another traditional Moroccan treatment.
In the evening there’s another yoga class featuring dynamic and restorative yin asana practices. Then a nutritious vegetarian dinner prepared by a private chef. If you’re looking to incorporate yoga with other holistic practices, then a Moroccan wellness retreat like this is ideal.
Cost – Prices start at £585 (€680/$735) per person in a shared room with en-suite.
Surf and Soul, Oualidia
The Surf and Soul retreat is in the coastal village of Oualidia, halfway between Casablanca and Essaouira. Their packages include two yoga classes and one surf lesson per day.
The retreat it just a few metres from the beach which is where some of the yoga sessions are held. There’s also an open air terrace with a chillout area and hammocks where you can socialise or just unwind.
The cool thing about Surf and Soul is that they also offer paddle-boarding and skateboarding too. So if the waves are flat, you’ve got other options.
They provide breakfast and lunch are part of the package, but not dinner. So you’ll have to sort that out yourself or head to one of the local restaurants.
Cost – prices start at £599 (€699/$760) for a week, staying in a shared room or you can upgrade to a private room for €10-€20 extra per night.
Loving Surf, Essaouira
Loving Surf is located in Essaouira. It features the cheapest surf and yoga retreat option on our list because they offer three night stays (rather than week-long minimums). So if you’re just after a weekend retreat or few days away, then Loving Surf is ideal.
Packages include two hours of surf lessons in the morning, two hours of supervised free surf time in the afternoon, and one yoga session per day. These yoga sessions take place on the beach which is a thoroughly lovely spot.
Loving Surf runs the cheapest yoga and surf retreat in Morocco (if you’re only staying 3 nights), but it doesn’t include as much as some of the others. For example, it’s B&B style here so you’ll get breakfast each morning but no lunch or dinner.
You’ll stay in shared accommodation and the price also includes your equipment and transport to the surf spots. But there aren’t any airport transfers included so you’ll need to pay extra for that.
It’s also worth noting that they’re week-long retreats are actually more expensive than Surf Berbere, Surf Maroc, and Salt House in Taghazout. So if you’re looking to spend a week surfing and doing yoga, then those may be more cost-effective options.
The really cool thing about Loving Surf is that they also offer kite surfing. You can add this on to your activity list while you’re there.
They also offer 10-night stays which is something the other retreats don’t. So if you want an extended retreat, this could be ideal.
Cost – Prices start at £279 (€325/$350) for three nights or £555 (€645/$697) for a six-night stay.
Salt House Morocco, Taghazout
Salt House Morocco also offer surf yoga retreats located in Taghazout. Their programmes include two daily yoga sessions along with surf coaching, equipment, accommodation, and food.
What’s unique about their retreats is that they also offer surf skate sessions. None of the other retreats offer this option.
Surf skating is exactly what it sounds like – you ride skateboards that mimic the feeling of surfing. This means you can practice on dry land in addition to your lessons in the water. There are local skate parks just a 10-minute drive away from the retreat venue where you can get stuck in.
We also love the way the rooms are decorated. They combine stylish minimalism with warmth and pops of colour.
Salt House is an affordable yoga and surf retreat that includes your airport pick-up and drop-off if you’re flying into Agadir. This is pretty awesome and not something that comes as standard with other retreats.
Cost – Prices start at £410 (€479/$520) staying in a six bed bunk room for one week.
Rapture Surf Camp, Tamraght
The Rapture Surf Camp is located in the coastal village of Tamraght, between Taghazout and Agadir. Like the other retreats on this list, their packages include yoga classes, surf lessons, breakfast, lunch and dinner. They also take care of your airport pick-up and drop-off.
But what really sets the Rapture retreat apart from the others is that it has an infinity pool. The setting is to die for with views overlooking the sea and plenty of loungers, beds, and hammocks to chill out in.
Having these extra amenities does come at a price – you’ll pay almost £1000 for a week here. And you don’t even get your own room – you’ll be staying in a dorm unless you upgrade. But if you do upgrade, we’d rate this as the top luxury surf and yoga retreat in Morocco.
And if a swimming pool is an essential element of your holiday, then Rapture is your best (well, only!) retreat option.
Cost – Prices start at £970 (€1130/$1225) for seven nights staying in a dorm or you can upgrade to sea view suite.
You might also like… these luxury yoga retreats in Morocco that promise a peaceful practice in high-end surroundings.
Top Surf & Yoga Retreats in Morocco
So, there you have our rundown of the best retreats in Morocco that combine yoga and surfing. These two activities are a match made in heaven so you’re bound to return feeling revitalised and grounded.
All the retreats on our list are open year-round so you can book in whenever you feel the urge. The most popular retreats by Surf Berbere and Surf Maroc will give you an invigorating experience. La Vida offers a more meditative option or you can go for one of the others if you want to add paddle-boarding and skating into the mix.
Plan Your Morocco Surf & Yoga Retreat
Here are a few tips to help you plan your trip to Morocco…
When to go
Morocco enjoys a warm climate year-round but the surfing conditions do vary by season.
If you’re a beginner or intermediate surfer, then the low season from April to August is when you’ll enjoy smaller waves perfect for learning and improving. Plus you get the added bonus of the Atlantic water being warmer at this time of year.
If you’re an advanced or expert surfer, then you’ll probably want to go to Morocco between September and March. This is the season when the waves are larger and more consistent.
Where to stay
If you’re planning to surf in Morocco, then you’ll definitely need to stay on the coast. The best surfing spots are in Taghazout, with breaks to suit every ability from beginner to expert. Other areas like Essaouira and Oualidia have good beginner areas but might not be as fun for more advanced surfers.
Unfortunately, Marrakesh is out for surfers since it’s inland. But there are plenty of other retreats there if you’re mainly keen on yoga (or other activities) and aren’t so fussed about the surfing element. Or you can tag on a few days in Marrakesh after your surf and yoga retreat!
Getting there and away
This part of Morocco is served by two international airports. For Taghazout and Tamraght you’ll want to fly into Agadir. Essaouira also has its own airport (Essaouira-Mogador Airport) which is ideal for Oualidia too. Morocco’s easy accessibility from Europe is one of it’s many perks as a wellness travel destination.
What to bring
Check out our printable retreat packing lists or complete guide on what to bring to Morocco. Remember that as it’s a Muslim country, you should bring conservative clothing and women should pack a headscarf.
