Mehdya, Morocco

Mehdya is a coastal town near Kenitra on Morocco's north-central Atlantic coast, set at the mouth of the Sebou river north of Rabat. A historic port with an old kasbah above the estuary, it has become a popular surf and beach destination for the region's cities.

The wave is a beach break along the wide sandy shore, with peaks shifting along the bars and a generally accessible character that suits beginners and improvers. Surf schools operate on the beach, and the exposure to Atlantic swell means it can offer faster, more powerful walls for intermediate surfers on bigger days. The river mouth and jetty influence the sandbanks, helping shape the better peaks.

Autumn through spring brings the most consistent Atlantic groundswell, with winter delivering the biggest and cleanest surf under mild conditions, while summer is smaller and busy with beachgoers. Water is comfortable enough for a light wetsuit through much of the year.

The town is an easygoing seaside resort, popular with families from Kenitra and Rabat, with cafes, guesthouses and a long beach backed by a promenade. The seventeenth-century kasbah overlooking the Sebou adds historic character, the cities and Rabat's airport lie within easy reach, and flat access from the seafront makes the beach simple to reach. Mehdya offers an accessible, less touristy surf base on Morocco's northern coast.