wakha

The science

Blue space: what the sea does, and what surfing doesn't prove

People who spend time by the sea, lakes and rivers tend to report better wellbeing, and visiting seems to matter more than living nearby. Surfing for mental health is being studied, but the evidence so far is of very low certainty.

Evidence: Moderate

Blue space and wellbeing: large surveys, consistent but correlational. Surfing and mental health: very low-certainty evidence.

What the studies show

A 2017 review of 35 studies found fairly consistent links between blue space and mental wellbeing and physical activity, but not clearly with physical health.

In a survey across 18 countries, more frequent visits to the coast and to green places went with higher wellbeing and less distress. The benefit of living near the coast mostly disappeared once visits were counted: going there seemed to matter more than living there.

Surfing: a 2024 systematic review found only three controlled trials of surf therapy, all at high risk of bias. Its verdict: no robust evidence yet, certainty very low. In the trial with depressed service members, surf therapy helped about as much as hike therapy.

In Morocco

Taghazout, north of Agadir, has point breaks that work best from October to March, with warm winter days and surf schools for beginners. Essaouira is windier, with a long beach, a walled medina by the port, and kitesurfing. Both are places to be in and next to the sea for days, which is what the surveys measure.

Where it stops

  • These are surveys at one point in time: healthier, wealthier people may simply go to the coast more.
  • Nothing here shows that surfing treats anxiety, depression or PTSD. Surf therapy is a structured programme, not a holiday lesson.
  • The Atlantic in Morocco has strong currents: swim where locals and lifeguards do, and learn to surf with a school.
Sources, checked 2026-11-14
  1. Gascon et al. (2017). Outdoor blue spaces, human health and well-being: a systematic review of quantitative studies. International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health 220(8)
  2. White et al. (2021). Associations between green/blue spaces and mental health across 18 countries. Scientific Reports 11
  3. Carneiro et al. (2024). Surf therapy for people with mental health disorders: a systematic review of randomized and non-randomized controlled trials. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies 24
  4. Benninger et al. (2020). Surf therapy: a scoping review of the qualitative and quantitative research evidence. Global Journal of Community Psychology Practice 11(2)
  5. Wheeler, White, Stahl-Timmins & Depledge (2012). Does living by the coast improve health and wellbeing? Health & Place 18(5)

More of the science

Holidays and happinessThe lift is real, small and short. Looking forward to it counts too.New places and memoryVaried days go with better mood; routine shrinks remembered time.Winter sunMarrakech gets about four times London's December sun. What that does and doesn't mean.Awe in the dunesAwe is a well-studied emotion. Vast places reliably trigger it.The Milky WayMost Europeans can't see it from home. In the Sahara you can.Walking in the AtlasA walk in nature lifts mood for hours. Toubkal also means altitude.The hammamNo study has tested it. What sauna research does and doesn't say.Tea with strangersTalking to strangers feels better than people expect. Sharing food builds trust.Other cultures and creativityLiving abroad is linked to creativity. A short trip wasn't.A few words of DarijaNo proven brain boost. Still the best way to start a conversation.Couples and familiesNew things together help in the short term. A trip won't fix a relationship.

Plan it

Agadir and TaghazoutSurf, sun and slow daysEssaouiraWind, gulls and blue boatsThe surf routeEssaouira to Dakhla

Say yes to the trip

Tell us your email and we'll write when the Wakha app is ready: offline, every city, every answer.