Region 02 · 10 spots
Surfing in
Northern Spain
Northern Spain has 10 spots in The European Surf Atlas, from Zarautz to Razo. The best months are Jan, Oct, Nov, Dec, and the water runs from about 12 °C in winter to 20 °C in summer.
- Best months
- Jan · Oct · Nov · Dec
- Water
- 12° / 20°
- Spots
- 10
- Levels
- 3 beginner3 intermediate2 advanced2 expert
Average of all 10 spots. Single spots can work outside the peak.
The spots
- 014ZarautzZarautz town beach, Gipuzkoa · Beach break
Long, very consistent town beach with shifting sand peaks, the Basque surf hub for learners and pros alike.
All levels - 015MundakaUrdaibai estuary, Bizkaia · Rivermouth
Legendary rivermouth left that on its day peels for up to 400 m of hollow, barrelling sand-bar walls.
Experts only - 016MenakozBarrika/Sopela cliffs, Bizkaia · Reef
Rare big-wave right reef under the cliffs, reputed to hold some of Europe's biggest rideable surf.
Big-wave experts only - 017SopelanaSopela, north of Bilbao · Beach break
Bilbao's surf hub: an exposed, cliff-backed beach with several sand peaks and a quality reef nearby.
Intermediate - 018SomoBay of Santander, Cantabria · Beach break
Long dune-backed beach across the bay from Santander, with shifting sand peaks and a big surf school scene.
All levels - 019Los LocosSuances, Cantabria · Beach break
Cliff-backed sand bay with punchy peaks and a right off the cliffs, the most consistent wave near Santander.
Intermediate - 020RodilesVillaviciosa, Asturias · Rivermouth
A long rivermouth left that can peel 100 m or more over an estuary sandbar, one of Asturias' best waves.
Advanced on the left - 021SalinasCastrillón, Asturias · Beach break
Long, consistent sand bay that is the region's main learner spot, with punchier peaks at the northeast end.
Beginner, intermediate - 022PantínValdoviño, Galicia · Beach break
Home of the Pantin Classic since 1988, a sand A-frame whose main right holds serious size.
Advanced in winter - 023RazoCarballo, Galicia · Beach break
Big, open Costa da Morte beach that rarely gets crowded, with fast left and right peaks.
Intermediate
Swell window, offshore wind, tide, size, hazards, access and a Plan B for every spot are on the spot cards in the atlas.
Getting there
Fly to Bilbao (BIO), Santander (SDR), Asturias (OVD), Santiago (SCQ) or A Coruña. Brittany Ferries sail from Portsmouth and Plymouth to Bilbao and Santander.
A car is needed for remote breaks. The A-8 coast road is toll-free from Cantabria west. ALSA buses link the main towns.
San Sebastián or Zarautz in the Basque Country, Somo or Liencres in Cantabria, Salinas or Gijón in Asturias, Razo or Pantín in Galicia.
The European Surf Atlas
All 10 spot cards for Northern Spain, plus 7 more regions.
The wind table tells you which spot is offshore today, the van and camping rules keep you out of trouble, and every card names a Plan B. 115 pages, €24.90 incl. VAT.