Targha
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Swell
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Targha is a right-hand sandbar surfing spot on the Mediterranean coast near Tizgane, known for coming to life infrequently. It’s reported to work only on a limited number of days (about five per year), and its setup depends strongly on the swell and the condition of the sand over nearby rocks. The wave is described as starting around 1.0–1.5 m swell and holding up to about 2 m+ swell, with good overall wave quality reported when it’s working. Sources also note that the typical length is short (under 50 m), while on good days rides can extend into the 50–150 m range. The spot is most reliably surfable on high tide and specifically during rising tide. Wind is reported as northwest in typical descriptions, with a stated wind direction emphasis around NW. However, one source rates wind reliability as low and notes the wave can be cleaner and better when winds are lighter/less windy and/or from the right direction. Overall, the spot is described as exposed, so conditions can change quickly with weather. For safety, be cautious around the underwater rocks and especially during high tide, when entry and exit are reported to be more complicated. Access is also part of the challenge: getting there may require a car (sometimes a 4x4) and/or a 15–30 minute walk, with limited informal parking. The spot is generally quiet—weekdays are commonly empty and weekends tend to have only a few surfers.
- Quiet, low-crowd environment (empty weekdays, few on weekends)
- Right-hand sandbar that works with ~1.0–1.5 m swell and can hold to 2 m+
- Best on high/rising tide
- Wave quality varies with sand cover over rocks
- Right-hand sandbar break with good overall wave quality
- Works on a useful swell window (about 1.0–1.5 m to 2 m+)
- Typically quiet with empty weekdays and few surfers on weekends
- High tide and rising tide are specifically noted as the best conditions
- Waves are reported to be rare (about 5 days per year)
- Wave quality and difficulty depend on how much sand covers the rocks
- Entry and exit can be difficult at high tide
- Remote access; limited parking and possible need for a 4x4 or walking approach
- Wind reliability is reported as low
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NW
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Wind direction is reported as northwest (Targha) with additional notes mentioning it can work with the right wind direction; some sources also describe a more general mixed wind regime.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- November, December, January, February
- Shadow Zones
- some shelter provided by nearby coastal hills
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Sand — Also described as mixed (sand with rocks/sandbar area).
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium — Also described as working from about 1.0–1.5 m and potentially holding up to 2 m+.
- Launch
- Medium — Wide sandy beach area reported as the launch/approach zone.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Launch/approach is described as easy in one source, but entry/exit can still be complicated at high tide.
Through the year
Usually empty on weekdays; very few surfers on weekends.
November through March, often coinciding with winter storms and rainy periods
By sport
What to expect for each.
A right-hand sandbar wave on the Mediterranean coast that starts working around 1.0–1.5 m swell and can hold up to 2 m+ swell. It is described as exposed and can change noticeably depending on sand coverage over rocks.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- NW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- High — Best with high tide and rising tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Reported to be cleaner with the right wind direction and when conditions are less windy; also described as best with light offshore winds or during calm/less windy wet weather.
- Bigger Swell
- Reported to hold up to about 2 m+ swell; how it looks/works depends on sand coverage over nearby rocks.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Overall reported as good, but difficulty/quality can vary with sand cover over the rocks.
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Also described as peeling; overall shape is reported as mixed/peeling depending on conditions.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Short — Normal rides reported as short (< 50 m). Good-day rides can be 50–150 m; one source indicates a typical ~100 m on good days.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Normal length reported short (< 50 m); good-day rides can reach 50–150 m.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Targha in the full forecast view.
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
- Underwater rocks near the sandbar area
- Entry and exit can be complicated at high tide
- Wave quality and difficulty change depending on how much sand covers the rocks
- Remote/limited access
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No dedicated rescue availability is reported for this spot.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major medical facilities are reported around Tetouan (~65 km) or Chefchaouen (~60 km). National emergency number for the Gendarmerie: 177.
Rules of the spot
- Use caution at high tide because water entry and exit are reported to be more difficult.
- Conditions improve when the sand covers the rocks more effectively.
- The spot is usually empty on weekdays and has few surfers on weekends.
- Accessibility may require a 4x4 or a 15–30 minute walk depending on road conditions.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Tizgane
- Nearest Town
- Tizgane
- Nearest Airport
- Sania Ramel Airport (TTU), Tetouan (~70 km away)
- Parking
- Limited informal parking near the village or access paths.
- Public Transport
- Limited; mainly local grand taxis and regional buses. A private car is recommended for gear transport to the remote coastline.
- Access
- Accessible via car; a 4x4 is mentioned for special access. A walking approach (about 15–30 minutes) is also described.
- Cost Level
- Budget
- Local Language
- Arabic, Tamazight, French
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Limited local guesthouses in nearby villages.
- Food & Drink
- Small local shops and cafes in Tizgane.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is reported as not available locally.
- Gear Storage
- No gear storage reported.
- Gear Repair
- No local professional repair services reported; closest professional repair would be in Tangier.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Targha?
The best overall months at Targha are November, December, January, February, March. The best wind months are November, December, January, February.
Which wind directions work at Targha?
Targha works with NW winds.
What skill level is Targha suitable for?
Targha suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner.