Top 5 winter surfing destinations in Spain

Surfing is generally associated with summer, high temperatures and bright sunshine; however, more experienced surfers know that the best time to ride spectacular waves is in the cold winter months.

This is when the best waves break on the coast, which makes surfing considered by many as the traditional sport of this time of year. Thus, the best moments to practice surfing come with the southern winds and the inclement cold weather.

That is why most of the most important surfing schools in our country also operate successfully during the winter, with very interesting proposals for all levels, taking advantage of the good wave cycles that arrive with the autumn.

On this occasion, we are going to find out which are the 5 main destinations for surfing and taking advantage of the best waves in Spain during the winter months.   

Mundaka (Vizcaya)

Our starting point is the Bay of Biscay, where you can find what is considered to be the most famous wave in all of Spain and one of the best in all of Europe: the left of Mundaka.

Discovered at the end of the 70’s, this wave is very sought after by surfers from all over the world and it is possible to find it in the fishing village of Mundaka, within the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve, on the Basque coast. 

The Mundaka wave is capable of producing long tubes on a sandy bottom, which is very unusual in this part of the continent. Due to its orientation towards the sea, this wave breaks less frequently than other waves in the area.

Formed with south-westerly winds, this wave, which starts in Mundaka and ends at Laida beach, reaches up to 4mts high and around 400mts long. Many international competitions are held on this beach, which has become a centre of pilgrimage for the most expert surfers.

During the cold months of December, January, February and March, when the big swells hit the coast of the Cantabrian Sea, the Mundaka wave is recommended only for the most experienced surfers.

Los Lances (Cádiz)

Surrounded by the paradisiacal landscapes of the Tarifa area, Los Lances is one of the favourite beaches for surfers from all over the world, thanks to the fact that it has winds that blow during most of the year, which makes it ideal for surfing and other water sports.

With more than 38kms of coastline, this beach is located on the southern side of the province of Cadiz and stands out for its size and beauty. Because its waves are very high and tend to be very closed, it is recommended only for the most experienced. 

As a result of its strong winds, Los Lances has great waves for surfing, as well as a warm temperature all year round, which is why it attracts surfers from most of Europe.  

It is because of this surfing movement that Tarifa has become a very popular place for surfers of all levels, from amateurs to experts. 

Famara (Lanzarote)

The beach of Famara, located on the island of Lanzarote, is one of the most advantageous beaches for surfing in the whole of the Canary Islands and has a very good quality of waves, with high level spots that are ideal for all tastes.

The perfect spots on and around this beach are a reason for surfers from different parts of Europe to visit, and they also find a wide range of surf schools and surf camps in the area.

The temperatures in Famara are more moderate than in other areas of the island of Lanzarote, mainly due to the predominance of alder winds, favouring not only surfing but also other water sports.

Along its coastline, Famara offers several left and right handed spots, with fast and tubular waves. The left hand side of San Juan is the best known and most visited spot in the area. The Famara pier, on the other hand, is a quality wave, with a rocky bottom, ideal when a lot of North Sea enters.  

Somo (Cantabria)

The north of Spain is home to another of the best winter surfing destinations. This is Somo Beach, one of the largest in the area with its almost 6 km long, recognized as the first natural reserve in the country and second in the European continent.

This beach offers numerous peaks, with those at the extremes being the most affordable. Its waves are constant throughout the year and it receives swells in all directions, with minimal chances of finding the flat sea.

In Somo you can breathe the culture of surfing all the time, having been a pioneer in the practice of this sport since the 60’s. Its best time is in the winter months and it is possible to find a wide range of surf schools and surf houses. 

Thanks to the great quality of its waves, hundreds of surfers come to Somo Beach, especially those from Northern Europe. In addition, this northern area is often the venue for important sports events and surfing championships, both regional, national and international.

Salinas (Asturias)

Located on the central coast of Asturias, Salinas beach is an extensive sandy area with ideal conditions for surfing in the winter months. Due to its location on the cape of rocks, it directly agglomerates the strokes of the sea coming from the west – northwest, the swell direction that predominates in the Cantabrian Sea.

The easterly winds are the most favourable for Salinas beach. It offers peaks along the coast, such as the San Juan peak on the right bank, which ends in a quay that divides it from the exit of the Avilés estuary. San Juan is an ideal option in times of strong winds.  

Today, the San Juan peak is quite busy, although its quality has not been the same since various works carried out collapsed the old pier that caused them. The highest quality peaks are those in the central part of the beach, between the dunes of El Espartal and the towers of Los Gauzones.

Since the 90’s, Salinas beach has hosted important international level championships, which have brought together the world’s most outstanding surfers.

Beneficios de surfear en invierno

Thanks to the climate and weather conditions we have in Spain, it is much more convenient to surf in the autumn and winter months than at any other time of the year.

There are many strong points so it is more beneficial to surf in winter; the main one being that the waves are more constant and of higher quality. The cold months are the best season for swells, both in the Canary Islands and in the Mediterranean and Cantabrian Sea. Thus, during the winter the swells are more constant and the waves are bigger.

During the winter months, it is possible to find more empty spots, which allows for more opportunities to catch the perfect wave. As there are fewer people in the sea, we get away from the risk of collisions and can enjoy a much quieter performance.

As the beaches are deserted, we can surf away from the crowds, in total serenity. Moreover, the surfers who go to the sea in winter are usually much more experienced than those who go during the summer, which represents a greater security at the time of running the waves.

Finally, it is a fact that during the winter better results are achieved in this sport. The constant practice of surfing throughout the year, without interruptions, allows the surfer to raise his level by being more fit, with better movements and a greater knowledge of the spots. Furthermore, by being in contact with more experienced surfers, you can learn directly, achieving a greater connection with the waves.

Surfing during the winter season is also very beneficial both physically and emotionally. The physical effort made at this time of year has a powerful effect on mental health, achieving a better level of discipline and concentration.

Dare to live the experience of surfing the waves also during the winter, we are sure that the result will be very powerful and rewarding.