Crocoparc Agadir

Crocoparc opened in 2015 on a hillside at Drarga behind Agadir, and it combines a crocodile collection with a landscaped botanical garden, which is a more interesting mix than it sounds. The Nile crocodiles are kept in large heated pools with viewing points at water level and from above, and the rest of the site is planted with cactus and succulent collections, palms and bamboo, with a small area of other reptiles and animals. Paths wind between the ponds and planting on several levels, and there is a play area and a café. It is the standard family option out of Agadir and takes a couple of hours at an easy pace.

What to look for

• The crocodile pools - large heated basins with viewing points at water level.
• The cactus collection - succulents and dry-climate planting through the site.
• The bamboo and palm walks - shaded paths between the ponds.
• The feeding sessions - scheduled feeds when the crocodiles are actually active.

When to go

Winter and spring are pleasant for walking the terraces; summer afternoons are hot and exposed. Crocodiles are cold-blooded and mostly motionless, so time a visit around the feeding sessions if you want to see movement. Mornings are quieter than afternoons. Check the opening hours in low season, since they shorten.

Things to know

Crocodiles lie still for hours, and children expecting action are often bored within twenty minutes; the garden is the better half of the visit. It is expensive for a small site and most extras cost more on top. There is little shade on the upper terraces. Getting there means a taxi, and drivers wait outside and charge accordingly for the return.

Nearby

Agadir's beach and marina are fifteen minutes away, and the Souss estuary lies between the park and the sea.

Key facts