Welcome to Morocco
Morocco is a haven for outdoor adventurists who enjoy fishing, golfing, skiing and trekking. Football is a national sport like in Egypt.
Trekking
One of Morocco’s best activities on offer is trekking, and the High Atlas is the place to do so with unspoilt scenery. It’s possible to do several long-distance routes on the Atlas range although the most popular is the Jebel Toubkal area’s shorter routes. Winter can be a dangerous time to attempt these treks so rather head there in autumn or spring. The Western High Atlas and Jebel Sirwa are also good choices while the Jebel Saghro and Tafraoute area of the Anti-Atlas is possible in winter. In the Middle Atlas, head to places around Azrou and Taza for some beautiful routes. The Atlas Mountain Interactive Services (AMIS), which is a small consultancy service, is an excellent source for information on treks in Morocco.
Skiing
While most people do not think of Morocco when looking for ski holidays, the High Atlas mountain range is regularly covered with snow from the end of January to the beginning of April. Oukaïmeden offers excellent skiing while off-piste skiing is especially popular in Toubkal massif in the High Atlas. Off-piste skiing in Morocco involves ski mountaineering, it can be good in the Azilal–Bou Goumez–Ighil Mgoun area of the Middle Atlas where you can see enough snow. Snowboarding opportunities are slowly increasing at a number of resorts.
Riding
Résidence de la Roseraie at Ouirgane dominates the horseriding package holiday with their High Atlas treks. However, you will need to supply your own riding hat. Another option, near Agadir, is Amodou Cheval.
Fishing
Morocco lies more on the Atlantic than on the Mediterranean coast, but it’s possible to organize boat trips at Boujdour, Dakhla, Essaouira, Moulay Bousselham (near Asilah), and Safi among others. If you prefer to do fishing inland, there are magnificent lakes and rivers, with plenty of trout, that is sheltered amidst the Middle Atlas. Good base options here include: Azrou (near the Aghmas lakes), Ifrane (near Zerrrouka), Khenifra (the Oum er Rbia River) and Ouirgane (the Nfis River). It’s also possible to catch pike in lakes like Aguelmame Azizgza (near Khenifra) and large bass in the man-made barrages of Bin el Ouidaine (near Beni Mellal).
Watersports and Swimming
Diving, sailing, windsurfing and yachting can all be done at Agadir while surfing is most popular in Taghazout, which lies further north. It’s possible to rent boards here, too. Less prominent locations for surfing include Bouznika Plage (between Rabat and Casablanca), El Jadida, Kenitra, Mirhleft, Rabat, Safi and Sidi Ifni. Of course, it’s always possible to explore less popular locations on the coast if you rent a car. From October to February, all breaks tend to be busy and a 3mm wetsuit is essential during the winter. Booties are also a good idea as the urchin spines are not pleasant in your feet. Essaouira is the best place for windsurfing and offers year-round opportunities.
Since the Atlantic Ocean has strong currents, it’s important to be vigilant and aware of the undertows when doing any sea sport. It’s common to find swimming pools in most towns, but these tend to be populated mostly with teenage boys while in the southern regions, you’ll need to swim at pools in campsites or luxury hotels for a small fee. Finally, kayaking and rafting are gaining popularity in both the High and Middle Atlas.
Golf
The golf course in Tangier was opened by the British in 1917. However, Morocco now has world-class facilities at Rabat as well as eighteen-hole courses at Agadir, Ben Slimane, Cabo Negro, El Jadida, Essaouira, Fez, Larache, Marrakesh, Mohammedia, Saïdia and Tangier.
Football (soccer)
Morocco’s reputation in football is steadily improving around the world and the sport remains widely popular in the country. The Throne Cup and annual league competitions are regular events on the country’s club calendars. Until the 1990s, the army (FAR) team was the country’s only professional football team. However, when sponsorships became available, several semi-professional teams were started such as Wydad (WAC) and Raja being the two main teams from Casablanca in addition to Rabat’s FUS, Fez’s MAS and Agadir’s Hassania. Unfortunately, despite the high level of skill among Moroccan players, the clubs simply can’t afford to compete with the salaries offered by the European clubs, so they lose their star players.
Other Sports
There are two annual marathons in Morocco: the intensive Marathon des Sables and the Marrakesh Marathon.
Although tennis courts are often available at top-end hotels in Agadir and Marrakesh, it’s best to best provide your own equipment since that of the hotels is usually not good.
The southern regions – specifically Tafraoute and Mirhleft – have seen an increased demand for paragliding. The sport is even possible in the winter when thermals are used. Paraglide Morocco and Passion Paragliding are the main operators for instructed hang-gliding, paragliding and paramotoring trips.