Oued Cherrat (Cherrat)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Mixed, Small waves
- Spot Type
- Busy
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Oued Cherrat is an exposed river-mouth beach-and-reef (or mixed beach-peak) surf spot near Bouznika, known for producing both left and right waves. It’s described as consistent and can work year-round, with December and the winter months often highlighted for stronger, more reliable Atlantic swell. Wave quality is generally reported as good to regional-classic, but conditions can be shifty, especially where the bottom transitions to rocky/reef sections. The break is typically medium-sized (often starting under 1 meter and building to around 2m+), with normal ride lengths commonly cited around 50 to 150 meters and longer runs (up to roughly 150 to 300 meters) on better days. Wind and weather matter: easterly to southeasterly winds are described as the better/grooming direction range, while westerly and north-westerly winds are linked with choppier or blown-out surf. Some sources also mention frontal wind patterns and overall low wind reliability, so it’s important to check conditions rather than assume consistent offshore flow. Safety is a key consideration. Rocks and reef patches are reported hazards, and strong rip currents are frequently noted near the river mouth (especially around receding tides). After storms or heavy rain, river debris and reduced water clarity can affect the lineup, so plan to arrive with caution—particularly at low tide and around the edges of the surf zone.
- Exposed, consistent lefts and rights at a river-mouth beach/reef setup
- Often best on mid-tide
- December and winter months commonly cited for stronger conditions
- Consistent surf with both lefts and rights
- Works through the year, with stronger winter conditions reported
- Regional classic and often good wave quality when swell and wind line up
- Rock/reef hazards and rocky/reef-bottom sections at the break
- Rip currents can form near the river mouth
- Wind can be inconsistent/low reliability and may turn the surf choppy depending on direction
- Can close out on larger swells and becomes more shifty
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E, ENE, NE, ESE, SSE, SSW, SW
- Offshore directions
- E, ESE, NE
- Wind Type
- Frontal — One source describes the wind type as frontal; another notes wind directions that can vary by swell/season.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Mixed, Small waves
- Beach
- Mixed — Reports range from sandy beach conditions to mixed sand-and-rock/reef features.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium — Sources describe it as starting under 1m and holding up to about 2m+.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Wind direction can create choppy/blown-out conditions, especially with west and north-west winds.
- Launch
- Medium — Access is via a dirt road/track leading to a beach area.
Through the year
Weekdays are often quiet; weekends can be crowded with surfers from Rabat and Casablanca.
November through February (rainy/winter storm period reported).
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed beach-and-reef (or mixed beach-peak) break at a river mouth with both lefts and rights. Waves can be shifty with rocky/reef sections near the lineup edges.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- N, NNW, NW, W, SW, S, SE, E, NE
- Swell Height
- 0.5–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid-tide is specifically recommended; low tide can become too shallow and dumpy over sandbars.
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Best with easterly to southeasterly winds; cleaner/offshore-leaning conditions are implied with East/Southeast winds. West and North-West winds are described as making the surf choppy/blown-out.
- Bigger Swell
- Can hold up to about 2m+; when swells exceed roughly 2.5 meters it can tend to close out and/or become more mixed and shifty.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Regional classic / good wave quality when swell and wind line up.
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Described as mixed/shifty with some sources noting peeling or a more consistent peeling feel when it lines up.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Normal rides are commonly reported around 50 to 150 meters, with good days reaching longer runs.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–300 m
- Ride Length Details
- Sources describe normal rides around 50 to 150 meters, with good days extending up to about 150 to 300 meters.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Oued Cherrat (Cherrat) in the full forecast view.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Rocks
- Reef
- Rock shelf
- Reef patches
- Strong rip currents
- River debris after heavy rain
- Pollution after heavy rainfall
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — One source reports no lifeguards present.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — One source reports no rescue availability; the wider region context describes rescue as limited/seasonal, so treat this as not reliably available at the spot.
- Emergency Info
- Emergency numbers: 15 (Ambulance/Fire) and 19 (Police). Nearest major hospitals and specialized clinics are reported around Mohammedia (~25km) or Rabat (~40km).
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild
Rules of the spot
Standard international surfing etiquette applies; respect the local lineup during busy weekends.
- Be careful on the rocky/reef-bottom sections.
- The access road is dirt, which can make arrival less straightforward than a normal beach parking area.
- The spot is best on a mid-tide; low tide can be too shallow and dumpy on nearby sandbars.
- Check water clarity after storms because the river can bring sediment and debris into the lineup.
- Use care where rip currents can form near the river mouth, especially during receding tides.
- Rescue availability is not confirmed onsite; plan accordingly.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Bouznika
- Nearest Town
- Bouznika
- Parking
- Unpaved parking is reported near the beach access path.
- Access
- Turn left after Bouznika and take the path to the beach; another source describes a half-mile dirt road off the freeway, and/or a track leading toward the river mouth just south of Skhirat.
- Local Language
- Arabic and French
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Guesthouses and hotels are available in Bouznika and Skhirat.
- Food & Drink
- Basic snacks and drinks are sometimes available from seasonal vendors; more options are found in Bouznika.
- Equipment Rental:
- No dedicated shops on the beach; rentals are available in nearby towns (Bouznika or Rabat reported).
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Oued Cherrat (Cherrat)?
The best overall months at Oued Cherrat (Cherrat) are November, December, January, February, March.
Which wind directions work at Oued Cherrat (Cherrat)?
Oued Cherrat (Cherrat) works with E, ENE, NE, ESE, SSE, SSW, SW winds. Offshore directions are E, ESE, NE.
What skill level is Oued Cherrat (Cherrat) suitable for?
Oued Cherrat (Cherrat) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.