Surfing in Spain
SurfScanners covers 17 surf spots in Spain, including spots in Basque Country, Gran Canaria, Asturias, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, Galicia, and Cantabria. Of those, 1 suits beginners, 13 suit intermediates, and 16 suit advanced surfers. Across them, the water averages ~16°C in February and ~22°C in August.
Surf spots in Spain
Mundaka
Basque Country
- Level:
- advanced
- Best months:
- Advanced surfers: Sep–Mar
- Water in October:
- ~20°C
El Fronton
Gran Canaria
- Level:
- advanced
- Best months:
- Advanced surfers: Dec–Feb
- Water in October:
- ~24°C
Mosca Point
Gran Canaria
- Level:
- intermediate–advanced
- Best months:
- Intermediates: Feb, Apr–Jun, Sep, Nov–Dec · Advanced surfers: Jan, Mar–May, Jul–Aug, Oct
- Water in October:
- ~24°C
Tauro
Gran Canaria
- Level:
- advanced
- Best months:
- Advanced surfers: Oct–Mar
- Water in October:
- ~24°C
Zarautz
Basque Country
- Level:
- intermediate–advanced
- Best months:
- Intermediates: Apr–Oct · Advanced surfers: Oct–Apr
- Water in October:
- ~20°C
Rodiles
Asturias
- Level:
- intermediate–advanced
- Best months:
- Intermediates: Apr–Oct · Advanced surfers: Oct–Apr
- Water in October:
- ~18°C
El Cotillo
Fuerteventura
- Level:
- intermediate–advanced
- Best months:
- Intermediates: May–Oct, Dec · Advanced surfers: Oct–Apr
- Water in October:
- ~23°C
La Cícer (Las Canteras)
Gran Canaria
- Level:
- intermediate–advanced
- Best months:
- Intermediates: Jan, Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov · Advanced surfers: Jul–Aug, Dec–Apr
- Water in October:
- ~23°C
Famara
Lanzarote
- Level:
- intermediate–advanced
- Best months:
- Intermediates: May–Nov · Advanced surfers: Aug, Nov–Apr
- Water in October:
- ~23°C
Majanicho
Fuerteventura
- Level:
- advanced
- Best months:
- Advanced surfers: Oct–Apr
- Water in October:
- ~23°C
Doniños
Galicia
- Level:
- intermediate–advanced
- Best months:
- Intermediates: Apr–Oct · Advanced surfers: Oct–Apr
- Water in October:
- ~17°C
Suances (Los Locos)
Cantabria
- Level:
- intermediate–advanced
- Best months:
- Intermediates: Apr–Oct · Advanced surfers: Sep–Mar
- Water in October:
- ~19°C
Playa de la Zurriola
Basque Country
- Level:
- intermediate–advanced
- Best months:
- Intermediates: Apr–Oct · Advanced surfers: Sep–Mar
- Water in October:
- ~20°C
Laredo (La Salvé)
Cantabria
- Level:
- beginner–intermediate
- Best months:
- Beginners: Apr–Oct · Intermediates: Sep–Mar
- Water in October:
- ~19°C
Pantín
Galicia
- Level:
- intermediate–advanced
- Best months:
- Intermediates: Apr–Oct · Advanced surfers: Oct–Apr
- Water in October:
- ~17°C
La Laja
Gran Canaria
- Level:
- intermediate–advanced
- Best months:
- Intermediates: Jan–Feb, Apr, Jun, Sep–Nov · Advanced surfers: Feb–May, Jul–Aug, Dec
- Water in October:
- ~23°C
Bakio
Basque Country
- Level:
- intermediate–advanced
- Best months:
- Intermediates: Apr–Oct · Advanced surfers: Sep–Mar
- Water in October:
- ~19°C
Spain water temperature by month
Average across the spots above, with the coldest and warmest spot's in brackets.
January
~17°C (13–21°C): a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional
February
~16°C (13–20°C): a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional
March
~16°C (13–20°C): a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional
April
~17°C (14–21°C): a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional
May
~18°C (15–22°C): a 2mm spring suit / shorty
June
~21°C (16–23°C): a 2mm spring suit / shorty
July
~22°C (17–23°C): a 2mm spring suit / shorty
August
~22°C (18–24°C): a 2mm spring suit / shorty
September
~22°C (18–24°C): a 2mm spring suit / shorty
October
~21°C (17–24°C): a 2mm spring suit / shorty
November
~19°C (16–23°C): a 2mm spring suit / shorty
December
~18°C (14–22°C): a 2mm spring suit / shorty
Surfing in Spain: FAQ
When is the best time to surf in Spain?
For beginners: Apr–Oct. For intermediates: Apr–Oct. For advanced surfers: Oct–Apr. Across the country, waves are biggest in December, averaging 5.6 ft (1.7 m), and smallest in June, at 3.4 ft (1.0 m).
What is the water temperature in Spain?
Averaged across our 17 spots, it ranges from ~16°C in February to ~22°C in August. The spots differ: Mundaka drops to ~13°C in February, while Tauro reaches ~24°C in August.
What wetsuit do I need to surf in Spain?
It depends on the spot: in February, Mundaka (~13°C) calls for a 4/3mm full suit, boots recommended, while in August, Tauro (~24°C) needs boardshorts or a rashguard, no wetsuit needed.
Is Spain good for beginner surfers?
Yes. Laredo (La Salvé) suits beginners, and the best months for it are Apr–Oct.
Where are the best surf spots in Spain?
We cover 17 spots in Spain. Beginner-friendly: Laredo (La Salvé). Intermediate and up: Mosca Point, Zarautz, Rodiles, El Cotillo, La Cícer (Las Canteras), Famara, Doniños, Suances (Los Locos), Playa de la Zurriola, Pantín, La Laja, and Bakio. Advanced only: Mundaka, El Fronton, Tauro, and Majanicho.