The Magic Bay, Morocco

Africa’s longest right, closed boarding + expired visa.

In a fishing village, where the Atlantic waves orchestrated a relentless ballet of beauty, awaits the fabled "Magic Bay." Nestled at the heart of this Moroccan masterpiece, its panoramic vistas span the bay's vastness and the distant desert mountains. When the swell orchestrates its perfect symphony, the bay vibrates with an enchanting rhythm. Here, surfers from every corner of the globe congregate to ride the waves, savor local culture, and escape the humdrum of life.

But in the peculiar times of COVID, when borders closed, flights were grounded, and passports expired, the magic bay transformed into something even more extraordinary—a serene oasis of deserted lineups and untamed waves.

As the pandemic’s grip tightened, flights to Morocco were canceled, and passports became relics of a bygone era. The global surfing community who once yearned for the exhilaration of riding these Moroccan waves found themselves grappling with the frustrating undertow of uncertainty. The once lively beaches and bustling lineups of The Magic Bay fell eerily silent, in stark contrast to its former status as a global surfers’ paradise.

During these peculiar times, a profound hush descended upon us. The vibrant town that had thrived on the energy of surfers from across the world seemed to exhale, a moment of rest for both locals and nature. The waves, however, remained a relentless force of nature, their rhythmic cadence untouched by the world’s turmoil.

Surfers who had journeyed from afar, only to find themselves stranded on foreign shores, faced an unforeseen twist of fate. Yet, their misadventures revealed the magic bay’s transformation into a tranquil sanctuary. The once-crowded lineup evolved into a silent stage, where the waves whispered their untamed tales to a solitary audience.

Riding the quiet waves of the Magic Bay during these unprecedented times was like a spiritual communion with nature’s elements, akin to the solemnity of a Moroccan prayer. The silence was palpable, the connection with the ocean profound. In the background, the traditional blue fishing boats painted a tableau of a culture unburdened by chaos, while the aroma of tagine wafted through the air—a reminder that life persisted amidst global disruption. In those moments when the waves lay calm and the sea found its reprieve, we'd gather at the cliff's edge, sharing spliffs and gazing out over the boundless bay, as if time itself stood still.

Amidst the world’s unsettling atmosphere, visas quietly expired, and the flights remained dormant. But for those who dared to surf these empty waves, it was an opportunity to savor the pure essence of the bay—a reminder that sometimes, the most profound moments occur when the trappings of documents and travel plans fall away.

Now, as the world slowly reawakens, the magic bay welcomes travelers once again, the lineup brims with the vibrant energy of surfers from around the world, and the locals go back to work. Yet, for those who were fortunate enough to surf the deserted waves during the peak of the pandemic, the memory of that extraordinary time in the magic bay will forever linger. It stands as a tribute to the enduring enchantment of the bay, a testament to the magic that unfolds when travelers and locals, with newfound time and shared experiences, unite to forge a unique bond that knows no borders, embodying the true spirit of the bay.