Timlalin Dunes: how to get there from Taghazout, Agadir & Imsouane

The Timlalin dunes are one of the rare places in Morocco where real sand dunes meet the ocean. They sit near the village of Tamri, on the coastal road between Agadir and Essaouira, north of Taghazout and south of Imsouane. Surfers drive past them every day — most never stop. This guide explains how to get there, when to go and how to make the most of it.

Where exactly are the Timlalin dunes?

Timlalin is the stretch of coast just around Tamri, a farming and fishing village known for its banana plantations. Coming from Taghazout, you follow the coastal road north; the landscape becomes wilder, the surf towns disappear and the hills turn to sand. The dunes rise on the land side of the road and run down to the beaches and cliffs — on a clear day you can see the ocean from the top of almost every dune.

You will also see the name written Timlaline, Timaline, Tamlalin or simply the Tamri dunes. Visitors from all over the world look for it in their own language: dunes de Timlalin or dune de Tamri in French, dunas de Timlalin in Spanish, dune di Timlalin in Italian, Timlalin Dünen in German. It is all the same place: the Timlalin dunes (Tamri dunes), where the sand meets the Atlantic Ocean north of Taghazout.

How to get to Timlalin

By car

Driving is easy: it is the main coastal road, paved all the way. Once you reach the Tamri area, the dunes are impossible to miss. If you are coming to stay or to join one of our experiences, we send you the exact meeting point on WhatsApp — the last part to the cabin is on a track by the shore, so we guide you in.

By bus or grand taxi

Buses and shared grand taxis on the Agadir–Essaouira route pass through Tamri village, but they will not drop you at the dunes, and there is no transport back at sunset. If you come this way, message us before you leave and we will arrange to collect you in Tamri.

With a pickup (the stress-free option)

Most of our guests are staying in Taghazout, Tamraght or Agadir. We collect you at your hotel or surf camp, drive you along the coast, and take you back after sunset or dinner — so nobody has to drive in the dark. The pickup is a return trip, priced per car, so it gets cheaper the more of you there are.

When is the best time to visit?

• Time of day: arrive in the afternoon. The light turns golden, the sand cools down and you can stay for the sunset over the Atlantic — the moment everyone remembers.
• Season: the dunes are beautiful all year. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable; summer afternoons can be hot on the sand; winter evenings are cool, so bring layers.
• Wind: on very windy days the sand blows; we will always tell you honestly if another day is better.

What to do in the Timlalin dunes

• Sandboarding on the big soft slopes — beginners welcome.
• Camel ride at sunset to a viewpoint over the ocean.
• Quad or buggy through the dunes, cliffs and canyons.
• A guided walk to the canyon and hidden viewpoints.
• Tea or dinner by the fire as the sun goes down — and on some nights, live music around the bonfire.

Prefer one plan that includes the best of it? Our Timlalin desert adventure combines quad, camel, sandboarding, desert tea and a meal by the fire. Choose morning, afternoon, golden hour or night.

At low tide, don’t miss the coast itself: the rock pools below the dunes fill with mussels, crabs and small fish, and local fishermen work the rocks for octopus. Join them on our Fisherman’s Dawn, fishing on the rocks with a local fisherman at sunrise.

What to bring

• Comfortable shoes you don’t mind filling with sand (or go barefoot on the dunes)
• Sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat
• A warm jacket — it gets cold quickly after sunset
• Water, and a bag to protect your phone and camera from sand

Where to stay near the Timlalin dunes

To really feel the place, stay the night. Our family cabin, Ajarif, sits right on the shore between the dunes and the ocean — built by a grandfather and passed from father to sons. In 2023 it won the Unique Stay award at the Airbnb Africa Host Spotlight. Dinner and breakfast are cooked at home by Rkia.

For something wilder, our Akal tent nights take one small group to a quiet spot away from the crowds, to sleep under a sky full of stars.

Frequently asked questions

Can I visit the Timlalin dunes on my own?

Yes, the dunes are open landscape. Going with a local guide adds the activities, the safety of someone who knows the area, and the stories behind it.

Is Timlalin good for families?

Very. Children love sandboarding and the camel ride. Tell us their ages and we suggest the right activities.

How long should I plan?

Half a day is enough for the main activities and the sunset. Stay overnight if you want the full experience — sunset, dinner, stars and sunrise.