El Sardinero (Segunda) · beach break, beginner, best on NW/NNW swell with S/SE wind, all tides. Second Sardinero beach, a mix of sand and rocks, working in larger swells. Low-rated on Surf-Forecast.
El Sardinero (Primera) · beach break, beginner, best on NW/NNW swell with S/SE wind, all tides. Urban beach in Santander that picks up swell only when it is large; Surf-Forecast rates it low and fairly consistent.
Matalenas · beach break, intermediate, best on N/NNW/NW swell with NW/W/SW wind, all tides. Exposed Santander beach that needs 1.5 m or more to switch on but holds up to about 4 m, so it is a plan B when the bigger spots are blown out. Works on any tide with…
Playa de Somo · beach break, beginner, best on NNW/NW swell with S/SSW wind, all tides. Long sheltered beach break with left and right peaks that works at all tides; the main surf-school beach of Cantabria. Surf-Forecast rates it consistent.
Isla de Santa Marina · reef break, advanced, best on NW/NNW swell with SE/E/NE wind, mid to high tide. Heavy reef right that only breaks a few times a year, when a 2 m plus northwest swell meets southeast or east wind. WannaSurf tags it pros only, and mid to high tide is…
Playa de Langre · beach break, intermediate, best on NW/NNW swell with S/SE wind, all tides. Sandbar beach break east of Somo with a well-rated, consistent wave per Surf-Forecast. Shape depends on the sandbars.
Playa de Galizano · beach break, intermediate, best on NW/NNW swell with SE wind, low tide. Beach break with a right-hand reef section at one end; best around low tide with southeast offshore winds.
Playa de Liencres (Canallave) · beach break, intermediate, best on NW/NNW swell with SE wind, all tides. Exposed beach break in the Liencres dunes with powerful peaks, left and right. Often crowded when working.
Playa de Valdearenas (Copacabana) · beach break, intermediate, best on NW/NNW swell with SE wind, all tides. Exposed beach next to Liencres where the waves tend to peel left, per Surf-Forecast.
Ajo (Playa de Cuberris) · beach break, intermediate, best on NW/NNW swell with S wind, low tide. Exposed, very consistent beach break at Cabo de Ajo, best around low tide.
Playa de Robayera · beach break, intermediate, best on NW/NNW swell with S/SE wind, mid tide. River-mouth sandbar at the Pas estuary entrance, fairly consistent per Surf-Forecast. Little detail is available.
When to surf in Santander
Best months for intermediate surfers: February, April, September to October. For beginners: April, September to November, January. The water goes from about 13 °C in February (5/4 mm hooded) to 23 °C in August (Springsuit 2 mm or vest). 3 of the 11 spots suit beginners, such as El Sardinero (Segunda), El Sardinero (Primera), Playa de Somo.
Days per month at the best third of the 11 spots for each level, from three years of wave and wind model data.
Questions
What are the best surf spots in Santander?
The best-known are Playa de Somo, Playa de Liencres (Canallave), El Sardinero (Segunda), El Sardinero (Primera). In all, 11 spots lie within 15 km: 10 beach breaks, 1 reef break.
Where can beginners surf in Santander?
El Sardinero (Segunda), El Sardinero (Primera), Playa de Somo: sandy, more forgiving spots. Surf them on small days, ideally with a lesson or near the lifeguards.
When is the best time to surf in Santander?
For intermediate surfers February, April, September to October. For beginners April, September to November, January.
What wetsuit do I need to surf in Santander?
The sea goes from about 13 °C in February (5/4 mm hooded) to 23 °C in August (Springsuit 2 mm or vest).