Sahara Dunes
Moroccan Surf
March 28, 2026
Madrid to Marrakesh
31.63º N, 8.00ºW
New continent unlocked. The crew and I were headed to the northwest corner of Africa and it was about to be a doozie.
Easy flight into Agadir and we make our way to Marrakesh in style. Josh and I booked a private transfer from Agadir to Marrakesh for 8, thinking it would be a nice little van. There were only 7 of us so we thought we’d have a little extra room.
A little room turned into a coach bus for 40 for our team. We had enough room for each of us to have TWO private rows and then some. Jake even took a nap in the back.
We arrive to Marrakesh and the quiet countryside transforms into an overpacked city with mopeds everywhere you look. We had to switch vehicles from our coach bus to the van we thought we'd be in. They drop us off as close as they can, but even that isn’t all that close to our riad.
We stopped into the pharmacy to buy some essentials. I grab some sunscreen for La Flama Blanca. Price says $15 but I saw the markets, I know how Morocco works. We gotta get used to haggling, so might as well start it off. I offer $10 to the pharmacist and he looks at me and goes: “Sir, this is a pharmacy, we do not haggle here.”
Well, I gave it a shot. I did not buy the sunscreen. La Flama Roja it will be.
We arrive to our riad and it's something alright. Lobby is super cool and decorated very Moroccan-like. Colorful rugs and patterns line the walls, and it's an open floor layout. Our room was shared by Jake, Josh, Grace, and myself. It was a little small. Small enough that the four of us couldn’t all be standing at the same time. At least one of us had to be in bed. But we could all hold hands while we fell asleep which was nice.
Long travel day so a shower was in order. The bathroom was in the center of this open air layout, and well there wasn't a lot of privacy. I try to take my shower, and the faucet produces a less-than-wet dribble. My whole body doesn’t come even close to getting wet. And after about a minute of dribbling, the water just shut off. But on the bright side, I didn’t even bring soap so I didn't get stuck all soapy! I dry off or, ya know, run the towel over my moist body.
Bed time. At least no bed bugs!
First landing
Hugs for the coach
Riad vibes
Ambiance
March 29, 2026
Marrakesh to Tinejdad
31°30′N 5°01′W
We meet at the local market to get picked up for our Sahara Desert tour. Can’t come to Morocco without exploring the sand dunes of the Sahara. Our guide, Said, greets us and you can tell he was going to be the boy. They helped us with our Arabic to make sure we were being respectful with the locals. Shukran bzaf!
We all pile into a sick sprinter van for 14. It was the 7 of us and a few other groups in our van. The first day was primarily driving east. The dunes were on the far side of the country, so we had some ground to cover. We made a few stops to explore Morocco on our way.
Our lunch was at this ancient Moroccan town: Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO world heritage site, and a project location for many Hollywood films, used for its unique and authentic clay city construction.
Lunch was the traditional tagine, which is a slow-cooked North African stew, and it is delicious.
We take a tour of the clay city and watched a painter in his clay hut. He would use the various plants in the area as paints, indigo for blue, etc, but the red was a little different. Red would be painted on almost as a clear paint, and when it was done, the color was activated by heat. So he would paint the entire picture, then hold it over the fire to reveal the stark red contrasts of the photo, almost like invisible ink. Obviously I bought one and he wrote my name in Arabic on it: ريان. Pretty darn cool. And the coolest part? It's called Berber fire painting.
We spend the night in a hotel, and have dinner in the adjoining lobby. Just the 7 of us and we went around to talk about ourselves as we were younger. Let the bonding begin.
First stop with the squad
Moroccan Countryside
Ait Benhaddou
Berber Fire Painting
Far out
Don't Fall In!
Views from the top
Tagine
March 30, 2026
Tinejdad to Dunes of the Sahara
31°10′N 03°59′W
Back on the road. First stop was a Moroccan rug shop where they showed how they go about making these very intricate rugs. Some are massive! Like 12 x 6 feet. All are hand threaded and can take years to finish.
We take a hike around the local farm and walk to see the beginning of the river. It is this absolutely huge canyon wall with the river cutting through. There were even some rockclimbers scaling the impossibly high cliffs.
All the way up
Traditional Rugs
Moroccan Black Pearl
Light pouring in
Big Smiles
On an adventure
Continue in the van. Lots of audiobook and music, and time for reflection as the countryside of Morocco passed through the windows. How romanticized.
Next stop is to try on the traditional Moroccan garb. Quite the experience.
Into the van.
And as the afternoon sun hits our van, we see the tips of the dunes. And boy they are massive. I was not prepared for the magnitude of these piles of sand. You could see the scale from a distance and they just kept getting bigger as we got closer.
Pulling up to the sand, the van’s job was done. Next mode of transportation: camelback.
So we put on our scarves to block the sand, and we make our way to the line of camels. Charlie is the first to mount.
He ended up on the smallest of the camels, and his guy was a screamer. Literally screaming its head off, going apeshit while he was trying to get on it, biting the rope, but luckily not biting us. Charlie took it like a champ. The rest of us had tamer camels to carry us into the dunes.
Getting on is an interesting process. They start kneeling down when you mount them, and I did not realize just how tall these guys were. So the distance from the ground to full height was a big one. And it wasn’t just straight line up, like an elevator. No no, the back legs go up first, rather abruptly, and your whole weight is pitched forward like a bucking bull, until the front legs shoot up and suddenly you are 8 feet off the ground riding a camel.
The actual riding was tame. We were all tied together in a line with a guide leading us through the desert sand. Josh and I led the pack, and there was even an empty camel right behind me, then the rest of the crew.
Riding the camels was cool! Crazy bucket list item, riding camels in the dunes of the Sahara Desert. There were massive sand dunes to our left and right and just sand for miles. Pretty badass. However. The novelty of it certainly wore off quickly. Had we been like riding riding the camels like free range, I think it would have been the coolest thing of my life. Because you can tell these things got some speed. But obviously they don’t just let you Indiana Jones that shit. Gotta pay extra for that.
The saddles weren't the most comfortable things and we had an hour ride into the camp. Charlie's camel didn't last the whole hour. About 20 minutes in, the camel was not having it and literally bucked the saddle off its back, and Charlie with it. Charlie, being the athlete he is, landed on his feet rather gracefully. So we call over the guide and they try to get the saddle back on the camel. Charlie is literally trying to tame this wild camel while its biting at the rope and vehemently trying to get free. So they end up putting Charlie on the empty camel behind me. Makes a lot more sense.
Luckily, my camel was the boy. So I named him Camaltío. Camel tío. But pronounced camal-tio. So creative. He was a good guy. We could have crossed the desert for weeks, just us and the open sand. I’ll miss that guy.
We arrive to our desert oasis. Tents line this tiny little valley in the dunes. Never would have been able to find it without our guide. Drop bags and give the sandboarding a go.
It would have been pretty cool if the wind wasn’t 100 km an hour and practically blinding us. There were some crazy big dunes we passed on the camels that would be pretty insane to strap into and take a spin down it. Also gotta pay extra for that.
Tagelmusts on
Ryan Macke Log
Lost in the Desert
Arrival
What's good!
Shadows on the Sahara
Squad
Josh, Cameltío, y yo
Cameltío so photogenic
Camel-Tío
The Screamer
Sound up.
Oasis
Dinner was fire as per usual and we ended the night with a dance party. The music started and after our friends gave an original start to the party, we hopped in and started a Conga line, recruiting people as we passed by and soon it was a party. We danced for about 15 minutes, but after 8 hours in the car and sand in every part of the body, we were ready to decompress.
We found a spot on the sand dunes to look up at the stars and I took some photos. The moon was a little too bright so the Sony pictures didn’t turn out great but at this point I just don’t know what I'm doing wrong. Can’t get the focus down. Hopefully I’m reading this in 5 years laughing at my old self that I couldn’t figure it out. But I'll probably read it and be like: "yeah dude we still haven’t figured that one out yet. Con buena suerte."
The moment was still delightful and we had some moments of tomfoolery.
We all kinda decided that we would be eternally dirty and sandy that night. Showers were a no go and we just aguantared as best as we could. Into bed with half of the Sahara with us.
Sunset on the Sahara
Milky Way over the Oasis
Classic
Chicos
Chicos Saltando
Soledad
Final Arrivals
March 31, 2026
Sahara Dunes to Marrakesh
31.63º N, 8.00ºW
As much as we loved the camels, we decided to rip the ATV’s back instead. Good call. It was a sunrise sesh. Super sick and I got to ride my own, but the leaders weren’t too happy that I tried to do a little off-roading. Got beeped at a lot.
At the end of the journey, there was a guy selling these cool containers to keep sand from the Sahara. The night before, I had filled about half a liter of sand in a water bottle thinking the same thing. Why did I take half a liter? Might have overdone it a little, but I figured maybe some of my friends forgot and would want some too. That was not the case.
But the container was sick so I got one, but the best part is as I'm buying it and keep in mind, we are very much so standing on the sand, he takes his own water bottle full of sand and pours it in. Crazy looks outta him. so I kept it, but then later, I dumped out his bottle sand and put my own bottle sand in it. Since you know it was mine.
Straight shot back to Marrakesh, minimal stops along the way. We had done what we came to do, and we were getting back to civilization.
Didn’t realize we had driven from Agadir on the coast all the way to the opposite border of Morocco. But with the stops, the company and the shenanigans it really didn’t feel too long.
The worst part was knowing that we had booked the same riad that night in Marrakech…
Luckily we were put in a different wing of the hostel and this was much better. Still couldn’t stand all at the same time, and my bed was creakier than Calle de Guzman el Bueno, but the bathroom situation was better and we didn’t have any neighbors.
Vroom Vroom
Locked In
Sunrise
PitStop
April 1, 2026
Marrakesh to Taghazout
30.54° N, 9.70° W
Wake up in Marrakesh. Hostel breakfast was surprisingly fire so we ate on the outside deck on a beautiful day in Morocco. We had a half day before our transfer so we had time to explore Marrakesh. We walked around the city and it was kinda just a giant maze of little markets. Souks. You could buy a million tchotchkes and souvenirs. I did, however, get yelled at by a vendor because I lowballed him a little too much. He did not like that. I think it might have been the same guy at the pharmacy.
We got a sense of it when we first arrived in Marrakesh, but seeing it in full daylight gave Marrakesh a new level of busy.
People everywhere, and tiny little narrow streets. And down those tiny streets, constant mopeds that absolutely rip down them. You gotta be quick to get out of the way. We saw one take out a vendors stand and then just dipped.
Juj found us a fire terraza and some super fire food. I had the Moroccan version of pizza and it was this burrito looking thing that was sweet, but savory. fire.
We make our way to the transfer point. Transfer vehicle to Agadir wasn’t quite as luxurious, but we got the van we were expecting with plenty of room. The driver didn’t speak great English, but decent spanish! So I sat up front and was chatting with him for a good portion of the ride.
Marrakesh Street Art
Walking the souk
Always a vibe
Need it for the collection
Huji for the win
Straight Business
Arrive in Agadir. Drop bags. Surf hostel fire.
We arrive just in time for sunset and its a good one. We pull up to a little cove 3 minutes from our place and find a camel strolling down the beach! This camel seemed much happier than the other one. We even saw him rolling around in the sand like a dog. Adorable.
We bask in the sunset beauty. The Sahara was sick, but I knew this leg of the trip would be all time.
There was a line of restaurants on the cliff above the beach so we grab dinner with a view. World of Waves. Took a little longer than expected to be seated, but hey we’re on island time. We were joined by two new friends with fresh new energy and a chance for the 6 of us to reminisce / recap on the Saharan Desert adventure.
Early night for a day of surfing ahead of us.
Happy Camel
Just smile and wave
Squad in Taghazout
Did you know they have beach camels?
Can't beat it
First impressions
April 2, 2026
Taghazout
30.54° N, 9.70° W
Breakfast on the water at World of Waves. We would end up eating every breakfast here, and a few other meals. I think 7 times total. Good food and good view, can’t complain!
Jake and I take a little adventure to go scope the waves. Felt like Leo Carrillo traversing the rocks around the point to the surf spot. Huge beach break, lots of little waves, perfect for the rookies on our crew. They had board rentals right on the beach and we met our boy Rashid who gave us the deal of the century. €8 all day board and suit rental, unlimited board exchanges. I think he was just happier than most to be there.
Crew posts up on the beach. Rent boards. And then it’s time for instructor Ryan. I give them the classic on beach instruction (safety first), and then we hit the water. I go boardless for the first 30 minutes to push the team into the waves. And they got it quick! They were all surfing like pros after a bit so I hopped on mine to join the fun.
Full day of surfing, in and out of the water, tanning, snacks, the whole 9 yards. Felt like a Moroccan San Elijo. And after 5 months of cold in Spain, the Moroccan sun was beating hard. Trying to get to La Flama Morena ya know. No pharmacy to haggle with here.
Truly an incredible day of beach. After we were sun crisped and salty, we hit a different restaurant on that same strip. Then we migrated to the floor-pillow section of the restaurant. We pulled out the cards and chilled in the afternoon twilight, overlooking the water.
We end the day with a sunset ocean pop. Dinner is a few flattop burrito looking things, Moroccan style.
Anchor Point
Phone Eats First
It's called style
Totally made this one
Posted
Sun Crisped
April 3, 2026
Taghazout
30.54° N, 9.70° W
Breakfast at our spot. It was our unofficial meeting place in the morning since we never really set an alarm. When you were ready for the day, head to World of Waves.
Back to the beginner beach. This time we rented the beach chairs. Que lujo.
Back to our boy Rashid. Happiest guy in Morocco.
Another day of surf, sand and sun. Literally could not be better. I told Josh, UV is only an 8, I don’t think I’ll need sunscreen right? His reply: famous last words. Result: I got fried. Tough. You would think I would have learned with a nickname like La Flama Blanca. Maybe next Moroccan surf trip.
Intermission to get a break from the sun, then to the skatepark for sunset. The park was on the side of the mountain and it perfectly overlooked the sunset. The park was pretty huge to be honest, and the guys in there were ripping. There was a huge crowd watching the skaters and the sunset.
Went back to the hostel for hostel dinner and had a fire tagine again. The host and his wife cooked everything and it was very cool to see the part of their culture they obviously loved sharing with their guests.
New beach incoming mañana.
Bringing Asturias to Taghazout
Look Mama!
Softop Central
Skate Park
Setting
Couldn't be happier
April 4, 2026
Taghazout to Imsouane
30.84° N, 9.82° W
Today we switched up the scenery. The hostel offered day trips to Imsouane, a point break about an hour north. So we all piled into a van and made the journey along the coastline. I had my Surf Rock playlist bumping and "Pacific Coast Highway" became the anthem of the trip.
We stop to overlook the surf and the wave just runs forever. Right hand point break just peeling down the line. Definitely a healthy crowd in the water, but nothing we can’t handle.
Rent boards. I found a spot that gave me this sick 9’0 single fin, similar to what I have at home. Now the real fun begins. Paddle out on the more inside section since the point was packed. But the wave spanned a mile so there was a plenty of wave down the beach. I can only imagine what it looks like when it breaks from end to end. You catch one wave and you’re done. No time to catch another.
We paddle out and it’s money. Just like surfing Malibu point. But with a hell of a lot fewer people and certainly not the California talent. I was trading waves with this German guy and it was bliss. Arms were noodles by the end of the day with the amount of waves we caught. And the board was perfect for the day. I was getting some crossstepping in when one of the local guys we had been talking to, Mohamed, saw me doing it and was like “walking!”. Next thing you know I see him trying to do the same on his softop. Huge smile on his face. That is what it is all about.
Surfing this Moroccan point break has to be one of the most memorable days of surfing I have ever had. We surfed in Africa!!
After the arms gave out, the boys hit the rooftop terrace for lunch and watch the tide take over the beach.
We make the journey back to Taghazout and have dinner one final time at World of Waves.
Some random man puts a hat on me and gives me the qraqeb. So I dance and play along.
Imsouane
Watching the Waves
Cheesin'
#7
Final Brekky
April 5, 2026
Taghazout to Madrid
40.41° N, 3.70° W
Travel day home.
Sahara Desert, Marrakesh, and Moroccan surf.
What a trip.
