Monday, 20 July 2026
Banana Beach — Agadir's Easygoing Stretch of Coast
Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Category: Taghazout, CC BY-SA
Banana Beach: the coast north of Agadir that doesn't try too hard
A long, gentle stretch of sand between Agadir and Taghazout, named for the plantations behind it — beginner-friendly surf, sunset horseback rides, and a lot less hustle than its famous neighbours.
Overview
The beach that shares its name with a plantation
"Banana Beach" isn't an official name on any map — it's what everyone calls the coast around Aourir, a small village about 12 km north of Agadir on the road to Taghazout. The nickname comes from the banana plantations that fill the valley behind the dunes, part of the Souss-Massa region's banana-growing belt. On a clear day you can see the snow-dusted High Atlas rising behind the fields — plantations in the foreground, mountains in the back, ocean in front.
Locals also use the name for a specific calmer pocket of sand at the south end of Tamraght, just up the coast from Aourir proper — sheltered enough that rip currents are minimal, which makes it one of the more manageable stretches of water for non-surfers and weaker swimmers along this coast.
"Uncrowded beaches are waiting for you" — the line every Taghazout-area surf camp uses, and about Banana Beach, it happens to be true.
On the sand
What there is to do
This isn't a beach built around one big attraction — it's a place to slow down. The wide sweep of sand gives plenty of room for sunbathing, long walks, and football games that spill down from the dunes. Horseback riding at sunset is the one activity everyone mentions: guides lead rides along the water's edge as the sky turns orange and pink over the Atlantic.
Surf-wise, the breaks nearby — Banana Point and Devil's Rock — are gentler than the famous reef breaks further north at Anchor Point or Boilers, with a mostly sandy bottom that suits beginners and intermediate surfers rather than the pros chasing barrels.
Getting there
Route from Agadir
By grand taxi: shared taxis run the Agadir–Aourir–Tamraght–Taghazout corridor regularly and cheaply; ask to be dropped at Aourir or Tamraght rather than Taghazout if the beach, not the village, is the goal.
On the way: this is also the road to Paradise Valley and the Arganeraie reserve inland, so a beach morning and a valley afternoon pair easily into one day trip.
Aourir vs. its neighbours
Three villages, one stretch of coast
| Village | Character | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Aourir (Banana Village) | Local market town, little tourist infrastructure | Cheap food, a real souk, quiet beach |
| Tamraght | More residential, fewer tourists than Taghazout | Longer stays, calmer Banana Beach pocket |
| Taghazout | Dense surf town, shops, rooftop cafés | Surf schools, nightlife, famous breaks |
Before you go
Good to know
- Food options are limited right on the beach: pack snacks and water, or plan to eat in Aourir or Tamraght village rather than beachside.
- Sun protection matters: there's little natural shade along most of the sand — sunscreen and a hat are essential, especially midday.
- Water can be stronger than it looks: supervise children closely, and note that rocky sections need careful footing.
- Best light: early morning for a quiet beach and soft sunrise colours, or late afternoon into sunset for the horseback-riding hour.
- Market day: Aourir holds a weekly souk (sources list it as Wednesday or Thursday) — worth timing a visit around if you want the full local-town experience.