Timlilane is a hidden coastal gem on Morocco’s Atlantic coast, set north of Agadir in the village of Tamri. This remote stretch lies between the surf towns of Taghazout and Imsouane, where golden sand dunes meet the sea.
Visitors come here for an unusual mix of desert and ocean scenery. The vast Timlalin Dunes rise just inland from the beach, offering dramatic views at sunrise and sunset.
Adventurers sandboard down the sandy slopes or ride camels along the crest of the dunes while gazing out over the Atlantic. Even if you’re not sandboarding, strolling the rippled sands is magical – the light turns the dunes a warm gold, and the quiet is unforgettable.
The heart of Timlilane’s appeal is the Timlalin sand dunes, a golden desert hugging the Atlantic. Here the landscape is both serene and surreal: undulating sand meets crashing waves. These dunes are a striking natural wonder where visitors can sandboard, ride camels, or simply hike amid extraordinary views.
Photographers especially love Timlalin at dawn or dusk, when the light casts deep shadows on the sand and the ocean beyond glows on the horizon.
Just below the dunes lies Tamri Beach, a wide sandy beach break on the Atlantic. Surfers prize Tamri Beach because it works from low to high tides – in fact, it’s famously one of the only nearby breaks that surfs even when others are flat.
This makes Tamri Beach a go-to spot for all levels: gentle rolling waves at the river mouth teach beginners, while occasional reef-enhanced waves challenge the experienced. After riding waves, stroll along the beach to the mouth of Oued Tamri (the Tamri estuary), which is lined with lush banana plantations and palm trees.
The green estuary is a great place to picnic or birdwatch – you may spot migratory birds or even Morocco’s rare bald ibis wading at the water’s edge.
In the village of Tamri itself, small blue-and-white fishing boats still line the sand each evening. Fishermen launch at dawn and sell their catch fresh in town – try a grilled fish takeaway seasoned with chermoula on the beach for a true local treat.
Timlilane isn’t just about dunes and surf – it’s steeped in Berber culture. Tamri village sits amid palm groves, argan forests and banana farms.
You can visit local cooperatives to taste organic Argan oil or buy Tamri’s famous bananas. Days here are unhurried: a typical morning might start with mint tea in a Berber guesthouse before heading out on camel back into the dunes.
Many guided tours combine dune adventures with visits to Berber villages, where you can learn how to weave palm mats or prepare couscous. In the evening, enjoy a communal campfire meal under the stars – a moment to appreciate the tranquil desert side of Morocco.
Through it all, the friendly locals embody the simple, relaxed rhythm of the region.
