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Why Morocco Should Be on Your Luxury Travel List
Think luxury surf travel and Morocco may not be the first place that springs to mind, however it should be. With its wild Atlantic coastline, world-class surf, rich culture and five-star resorts like Paradis Plage, that’s exactly what makes it so appealing.
Its magic lies in the fusion of dramatic landscapes, rich Moroccan culture and a spirit of adventure. Yes, you can enjoy ocean-view suites and indulgent spas, and your biggest decision of the day might be whether to paddle out, order another mint tea or stretch in the glass-fronted yoga shala. But there are also colourful souks, Berber villages in the mountains, argan groves, desert landscapes and long Atlantic beaches beckoning you to leave your footprints in the sand.
Set on five kilometres of private Atlantic beachfront at Imi Ouaddar, just north of Taghazout, Paradis Plage Surf Yoga & Spa Eco-Resort is a perfect introduction to this more adventurous side of Moroccan luxury. It’s here that you can combine the freedom and energy of a surf trip with the comfort, wellness and laid-back sophistication of a high-end beach escape.
Surf, but make it luxury
Morocco has long been on the radar of surfers, thanks to its reliable winter swells and legendary point breaks.
From Paradis Plage, more than 18 surf spots are within reach, including the famous breaks around Taghazout and iconic Anchor Point. Whether you're an experienced surfer chasing winter walls or picking up a board for the first time, there are waves and local instructors to suit. Through its partnership with Rip Curl, at Paradis Plage you can enjoy premium surf equipment and access to certified local instructors and guides, making it easy to build a surf trip tailored to individual progression.
But the real difference is what happens when you come out of the water.
Instead of heading back to a regular surf camp, here you return to an eco-designed suite, beach bungalow or spacious villa, rinse the salt off and head for the pool, spa or a yoga session overlooking the Atlantic.
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A different kind of wellness escape
Wellness in Morocco has never been about simply ticking a treatment off a spa menu. It’s rooted in centuries-old rituals, natural ingredients and the simple pleasure of slowing down.
At the Paradise Eco Spa, traditional Moroccan ingredients and rituals take centre stage. Think black soap, ghassoul clay, orange blossom and organic argan oil, used for open-air massages accompanied by the sound of the ocean.
Alongside spa treatments come immersive wellbeing classes. Mornings can start with sunrise vinyasa in the glass-walled oceanfront yoga shala, followed by a surf, a workout in the sea-view fitness area or a dip in the pool. There are complimentary group fitness sessions each day, while the Atlantic and surrounding landscape provide a pretty unbeatable backdrop for doing very little at all.
It’s this combination that makes Morocco particularly good for a reset. You can spend the morning surfing, the afternoon being pampered and the evening watching the sun disappear into the Atlantic – without ever feeling like you’re following a prescribed wellness programme.
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Come for the surf, stay for Morocco
One of the biggest draws of a luxury trip to Morocco is that there’s so much beyond the resort.
Paradis Plage is ideally placed for exploring the landscape around the coast, whether that means heading into the Tamri dunes, visiting local argan cooperatives or trekking through the lush landscapes of Paradise Valley. There’s also the chance to explore Taghazout and Agadir, discover Moroccan markets and food, or simply take a road trip along the Atlantic coast.
Back at base, Morocco’s influence continues through the food, architecture and design. Traditional craftsmanship, from intricate zellige tiles to tadelakt finishes, sits alongside contemporary eco-conscious design. And across four dining venues, Moroccan flavours such as saffron, preserved lemon, argan oil and fresh mint are woven into lighter, health-focused dishes, with fresh local produce and plenty of plant-based options.
How far you get, depending on the day
Everything is measured from the gate at Km 26 on the Essaouira road. Tap a place to see what waits when you arrive.
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The beach at Imi Ouaddar
Five kilometres of sand running north from the resort, with beach breaks that pick up most of the swell the points are too small to hold. Horses and camels come past at low tide.
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Anchor Point
The right-hander that put this coast on the map, and the reason most people book a winter flight to Agadir. It wants a solid northwest swell and it rewards patience on the paddle out.
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Taghazout
Board repairs, coffee, and a run of breaks close enough together to check them all in half an hour. Panoramas and Hash Point sit at either end of the village.
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Argan cooperatives, Tamri road
Women's cooperatives press the oil by hand along the road out of town, and the goats do climb the trees. Buy the cosmetic grade for the skin and the roasted grade for bread.
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Tamri and the dunes
Banana plantations, a river mouth and a stretch of coast that empties out the further north you push. The wind gets up in the afternoon, so go early.
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Souk El Had, Agadir
One of the largest markets in the country, walled and gated, with spices and leather in their own quarters. Mornings are calmer than late afternoon.
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Paradise Valley
A gorge in the High Atlas foothills with palm groves and pools cut into the rock. Water levels drop through late summer, so ask at reception before you drive up.
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Imsouane
The long right in the bay is the reason to make the drive, and it holds a wave on days the points down south are flat. Worth building a whole day around.
Agadir Al Massira airport is roughly 50 minutes south. Distances are approximate and depend on the road out of Aourir.
Luxury with a lighter footprint
The idea of luxury is changing, too. For many travellers, it’s no longer simply about five-star service and beautiful surroundings, but about having an experience that feels connected to its destination.
Paradis Plage was Morocco’s first Green Key-certified eco-resort and has built sustainability into its approach – from local material sourcing and water conservation to long-standing environmental partnerships. The result is a luxury experience that feels rooted in its surroundings rather than removed from them.
That connection is perhaps what makes Morocco such an interesting alternative to more obvious luxury destinations. You get the comfort, service and wellness you’d expect from a high-end resort, but you’re also immersed in a country with a strong sense of place.
The luxury of doing things your way
While surfing might be the starting point, you don't have to be a surfer to enjoy it.
Solo travellers can combine surf lessons and yoga with plenty of time to switch off. Couples can settle into beachside days, spa treatments and sunset dinners. Families can make the most of the Kids Club, outdoor playground, beach bonfires and open-air cinema, while still having space for their own adventures.
That flexibility is part of the appeal. One day might involve an early surf and a hike through Paradise Valley; the next could be nothing more ambitious than yoga, a long lunch and a massage.
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Why Morocco deserves a place on the luxury travel list
It offers all the ingredients of a high-end escape, but with something extra: adventure, culture, sunshine and a sense that you’ve travelled somewhere genuinely different.
And when winter arrives in Europe, the idea of swapping grey skies for a Moroccan beach, warm Atlantic water, a world-class wave and a post-surf spa treatment suddenly looks very appealing indeed.
Paradis Plage Surf, Yoga & Spa Resort, Imi Ouaddar, Morocco
Five kilometres of private Atlantic beachfront, an eco-spa, a glass-walled yoga shala and more than 18 surf spots within reach.
Visit Paradis Plage
