21 February 2023
How to find the best surfing spots in Europe?
Finding a good spot for surfing is not a piece of cake, but it can sound like that. Good waves to surf are connected with a particular season. For example, the best time in Spain and Europe in general, is between March and May, also around August to September or even October.
Good conditions for surfing depend on wind, waves height, and time between waves (waves period). A longer period obviously makes it easier to get under the wave and swim above the line where the waves start to break.
One of the favourite spots in Europe is the region of Galicia. Sometimes it can bring more advanced surfers because the waves are really good and huge. Here we can find i.a.: Playa Valdoviño, beaches near town Foz, Playa de San Xurxo (near town Ferrol), Playa de Doniños, Playon de Bayas.
Another place, where we can begin, is Playa de la Zurriola in San Sebastian in Spain. My first time with the board, I had just been there. Waves are perfectly big (but not huge, just around 2 meters) and slowly breaking. I had never surfed before, but I just started to move similarly to two spanish women and after watching a lot of movies, it happens me to start easily and slightly. Then the next spot people really enjoy surfing is Gijon and quite close - Salinas. In summer is easier to find good waves, especially in the second one, but in Gijon, in Playa de San Lorenzo it also happens.
Playa in Salinas, Spain
MSW system
Very helpful can be the application or website MSW Magicseaweed, known by every surfer I think. On this app, people can find forecasts for specific locations and even webcams. From my experience, the MSW system usually rates wave quality very well. For example, you can find a swell map by selecting one of the beaches in Spain and see the whole country.
More waves in Europe?
Europe is full of wonderful places to surf. Here are a few interesting places that can be considered when planning a surf trip:
- Peniche, Portugal - known for its beautiful beaches and excellent surfing conditions throughout the year. The best time to surf is in the fall and winter when the waves are the biggest.
- Hossegor, France - probably one of the most famous places to surf in Europe. Located on the west coast of France, it is known for its constant waves that attract surfers from all over the world.
- Mundaka, Spain - considered one of the best places to surf in Europe. A small town north of Bilbao (on the northern coast of Spain) known for the best left-hand waves in the world, often referred to as "Mundaka Left." The quality of the waves at Laida Beach is usually assessed as fast and demanding, so some experience is recommended.
- Bundoran, Ireland - a small town in Ireland known for its excellent surfing spots. However, the best time to surf is in the fall and winter when the waves are the biggest, so it can be quite chilly.
- Fuerteventura, Canary Islands - an ideal place to surf all year round. The Canary Islands overall offer many excellent places to surf for beginners and advanced surfers alike. Among the good spots, we can find: Playa de Famara, Lanzarote; El Confital, Gran Canaria; Playa del Inglés, Gran Canaria; El Cotillo, Fuerteventura, or La Derecha del Cartel, Tenerife.
