Morocco in December: Weather, Sea Temperature and Winter Sun

In short: December is one of the sunniest winter escapes within a few hours of the UK. On Morocco's Atlantic coast, around Agadir and Taghazout, afternoons are usually 20 to 22 °C with clear skies, the sea is around 18 °C and rain is infrequent. Nights are cool, and in Marrakech and the Atlas Mountains they are cold. For surfers, December is the heart of the season, with big, regular swells at the famous point breaks.

Yes, if you are looking for winter sun rather than beach heat. The Atlantic coast is mild and bright while much of Europe is grey, and the days are long enough for a morning surf, a walk along the beach and dinner outside on a sheltered terrace. Christmas and New Year are the busiest weeks, so book early if you travel then.

The Atlantic coast (Agadir, Taghazout, Tamraght, Imsouane) is the warmest part of Morocco in December. Most days are sunny and dry, with light winds in the morning. Once the sun sets, temperatures drop quickly: you will want a warm jumper and a jacket in the evening.

Marrakech has pleasant, sunny days but cold nights, and riads can feel chilly without heating. Essaouira is cooler and windier than Agadir. The Atlas Mountains are often snowy, and nights there fall below freezing.

December is one of the best surf months in Morocco. North Atlantic storms send long-period north-west swells, and the right-hand points around Taghazout, such as Anchor Point and Killer Point, break regularly. The water is around 18 °C, so a 4/3 mm wetsuit is the norm. It is also a busy month in the water, especially over the Christmas holidays, so surf early.

The sea is around 18 °C, which feels cool. A quick swim on a sunny afternoon is fine for many people, but you will need a wetsuit for longer sessions in the water.

Christmas is not a public holiday in Morocco, but the coastal towns are used to European visitors and many hotels and surf camps organise a special dinner. New Year's Eve is busy in Agadir and Marrakech. For a relaxed festive week by the sea, look at the surf villages north of Agadir: read our guides to surf camps in Taghazout and surfing in Morocco in winter.

On the Atlantic coast, yes: afternoons are usually 20 to 22 °C. Nights are cool, and inland cities such as Marrakech are cold after dark.

Some rain is possible, especially in the north, but the Agadir coast is usually dry and sunny for most of the month.

The south-west Atlantic coast around Agadir and Taghazout, and further south towards Dakhla, which is often a few degrees warmer.

Yes. It is the heart of the surf season, with the most consistent swells. Beginners should choose a camp that takes them to sheltered beaches.

Escaping the winter? Compare surf camps in Morocco and book early for Christmas and New Year.