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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 this spot

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
Great for
Surfing shortboardSurfing longboardBeginners
What's great
  • 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
Heads up
  • 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
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Practical spot guide

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

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
15–25 °C
Water Temperature
12–31 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Jan–Apr: 4/3mmMay–Sep: 3/2mm or shorty
Crowds by Season

Usually empty on weekdays; very few surfers on weekends.

Storm/Rain Season

November through March, often coinciding with winter storms and rainy periods

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

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.

Sandbar
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.
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Targha in the full forecast view.

Safety

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
Ability Level: Intermediate
Recommended Safety Gear
BootsLeash

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

Local Tips
  • 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
Amenities

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.
Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

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.