Exploring the Taghazout Fishing Village

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lanning a trip to Morocco I stumble into this warning about Taghazout “Bring cash, there are no cash machines in the village and Jimi Hendrix spent some time there”, this warning set up my curiosity about this small fishing, and now surfing village just an hour from Agadir when a location doesn’t have one of the worlds biggest commodities such as simple cash machine, it naturally triggers a sense of curiosity that I could find unique spots, off the beaten track and authentic.

A month later, I packed up the photography equipment and I was on my way to Taghazout. (no drone - they are not allowed in Morocco)

What is authentic and unique about Taghazout? This photography series captures the sense of the community life in Taghazout village, where local people, surfing enthusiasts, fishermen, and tourists, all coexist in a small hilly Bay area alongside the coast and are scattered around a busy waterfront of coffees spots, restaurants and sand.

In a few days in Taghazout, I walked from both sides of the extensive beach of rugged rocks and cliffs, explored the mini maze in the village centre, ate at local restaurants across the waterfront, ventured to the hidden Taghazout skatepark, spot of several advertising campaign§s. But one of the highlights it’s the rudimentary fish market, where the locals bring the catch of the day straight into the stalls by the beach, there is a mix of market and cooking going on, and some of the best catch is some to the local restaurant, but for the right price you can acquire a fresh lobster.

I ventured to the fish market in the morning, sometimes I was welcomed by the locals other times I got cursed even when I politely asked to take a photo, but this is part of travel photography, still worth it when you engage with the locals and share nice fresh grilled sardines on the shores of Taghazout.

Worth hiking with a camera alongside the beach towards Devils Rock or to Anchor point, on both ways I encountered friendly locals asking to take their photos, fishermen proudly displaying the catch, and a mini sandstorm that transformed the area into a Max Max setting, providing a unique opportunity for photography, beachgoers, families, tourists, and surf enthusiasts all across the Taghazout bay.

Another view of the Taghazout fishing boats

Local man overlooking the Taghzout beach — Local man overlooking the beach

Taghazout local fishing stall — Local fishing stall

Taghazout lobster fresh catch of the day — Fresh catch of the day

Taghazout local fish market — A local woman buying fresh fish

Taghazout cute alley along the bay — The cute alleys along the bay

Taghazout colorful maze streets — The colorful maze

Taghazout local fisherman — Proud fisherman exhibits his catch

Taghazout fisherman sea catch — Another precious sea catch from the local fisherman

Taghazout Anchor Point view with a Jeep — Anchor Point surf spot

The skatepark on the hills overlooking Taghazout

Taghazout the skatepark is inspired in Arabic architecture — The skatepark is inspired in Arabic architecture

Taghazout a man rides the camel through the sandstorm — A man rides the camel through the sandstorm

Taghazout village in the background during a sandstorm

Life in Taghazout coexists well between locals and tourists, it feels like Taghazout is still under the radar of mass tourism, which is great to preserve the authenticity of this unique village.

If you liked any of the photography in this story and would like to have photography print, please contact thomas@alternativespots.com

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