Overview
Anchor Point is Morocco's most legendary wave, a long right-hand point peeling along a rock shelf just outside Taghazout. Australians first surfed it in the 1960s, and it has been the center of surfing in the region ever since. From a steep take-off at the outside peak, the wave delivers a seemingly endless run of speed walls and cutback hooks, with hollow sections and plenty of room for high-performance surfing. The bottom is a mix of uneven reef and sand, and occasional emerald green barrels appear on the sandy sections further down the point. On the right day it is a world-class wave.
When It Works
Autumn into winter is the season here, once the North Atlantic storm track gets active. The point draws swell from west through north, with northwest (NW) the direction that really lights it up, ideally medium to large and long period. It works from 0.9 m / 3 ft to 4.9 m / 16 ft, and it will hold any size in that window and then some, which makes it the obvious call when the swell is macking. Consistency is moderate rather than dependable, but when the setup lines up the sessions are worth the wait.
Wind and Tide
Look for northeast (NE) offshore wind. Tide matters more than almost anything else here: the point works on low tide and mid tide, with a rising tide generally the better call, and the lower it is the hollower it runs. Even a solid swell can go inconsistent and mushy at high tide, unless it is genuinely huge.
Local Tips
Expect a busy lineup, especially on smaller days, though the crowd spreads out as the rides lengthen and the current picks up with size. The atmosphere is neutral. Intermediates will get the most out of smaller days, or can drift down to the mellower town breaks like Hash Point. Shortboards, funboards, longboards, and fish all have a place depending on the day. Crowds are the main hazard, and there are at least four world-class breaks within driving distance if you want to look elsewhere.
Access
The spot is easy to find, but getting in and out of the water is not. The paddle-out means a timed jump off slippery rocks between sets, and hesitation costs you. Paddling in is worse on a big swell, when whitewash batters those same rocks and timing becomes essential. Coming in at one of the coves and walking back up the point is the easier option. Expect long paddles and a lot of moving water on big days. There is camping and a surf shop nearby, plus free roadside parking.
