Killer Point: the wave that holds when everything else closes out

The swell magnet of the Taghazout coast. Killers picks up more than anywhere else on this stretch and holds size other spots cannot. It is also the one I turn people away from most often.

Surf guiding session at Killer Point, one of Morocco's best right-hand point breaks near Taghazout

Killer Point, north of Taghazout. The headland picks up swell the rest of the bay misses.

Quick answer

Killer Point is a long right-hand point break north of Taghazout that picks up more swell than anywhere else nearby and holds serious size. It starts working around 5 ft and keeps improving as it grows. The paddle out takes roughly 20 minutes, which thins the crowd. Advanced surfers only — this is not a spot to test yourself on.

What Killer Point is

Killers is a long, powerful right-hand point break a short drive north of Taghazout. The name comes from the killer whales that pass offshore, not from the wave, though the wave earns it on a big day.

What makes it matter is the headland. It sticks out far enough that it captures swell the rest of the bay does not see. On mornings when Taghazout is small and disappointing, Killers can be head-high and running. That is why it is the first place I check on a marginal forecast.

When Killer Point works

ConditionWhat works
Swell directionNW to N. It picks up swell that other spots on this coast simply miss
SizeFrom about 5 ft, and it holds well beyond that. Bigger is better here
TideWorks across the tide; mid tide is the safest bet
WindE or NE offshore. Any onshore and it turns into a mess
BottomRock and boulder point
Best seasonNovember to February, the biggest and most consistent months

Conditions are a guide, not a guarantee. Message us the week you arrive and we will tell you what it is actually doing.

The paddle out

This is the part nobody warns you about. The paddle from the beach to the lineup takes around 20 minutes on a normal day and longer when it is big. There is no channel shortcut and no easy jump-off.

That paddle is the spot’s own filter. It keeps the crowd down, and it means you need to arrive with energy in your arms rather than expecting to warm up in the lineup. If a 20-minute flat-water paddle sounds like a lot, this is not your wave today.

Who should surf Killer Point

Advanced surfers who are comfortable in overhead waves over rock, a long way from shore, with no lifeguard. That is the whole list.

I am not being gatekeeping about this. I turn people away from Killers more than from any other spot on this coast, and the reason is simply that the consequences of a bad decision here are different from the consequences at Panorama. If you are an intermediate who wants to surf points, La Source and Hash Point are where you build up to this.

The honest risks

Distance from shore. If you break a leash or a board, you are swimming a long way in moving water.

Rock bottom. Not sand. A bad wipeout has consequences.

No lifeguard, limited phone signal. Nobody is watching. Surf it with someone, and tell somebody where you are going.

I spent years as a lifeguard before I taught surfing, and Killers is the spot where that background makes me most conservative. Going with a guide the first time is not upselling; it is the sensible way to see it.

If Killers is too big or too small

Too big is rare, but when it is, nothing else on this coast is safer — it is a day for watching. Too small and the swell has not arrived, which usually means Imsouane is your best chance of a wave.

Between those, La Source and Anchor Point pick up on the same swells at a more forgiving size.

Frequently asked

How long is the paddle out at Killer Point?+

Around 20 minutes on a normal day, and longer when it is big. There is no channel shortcut. That paddle is what keeps the crowd manageable.

Is Killer Point suitable for intermediates?+

No. It is an advanced wave over a rock bottom, a long way from shore, with no lifeguard. Intermediates should build up at La Source or Hash Point first.

What size does Killer Point need?+

It starts working around 5 ft and improves as it grows. It picks up more swell than anywhere else nearby, so it can be working when the rest of the bay is flat.

Why is it called Killer Point?+

After the killer whales that pass offshore, not the wave. The wave does earn the name on a big day.

Written by

Reda — surf instructor in Taghazout

Surfing this coast for over 14 years and teaching it for over 4. RMSF-certified, former lifeguard, raised in the Taghazout area, teaching in English, French, Arabic and Berber. More about Reda.

Surf Killer Point with someone who knows it

Tell us your dates and your level and we will put you on the right wave on the right morning — not just the one out the front.

FAQ