Best Time to Surf Spain
The best time to surf Spain is October to March: that is when the most breaks are at their best — 9 of the 9 Spain breaks we map at the peak.
Last updated · Counted from the surf breaks we map — each break's own season, level and wave type
Surf in Spain month by month
How many of the 9 breaks we map in Spain are at their best in each month, and which ones. The busiest months are highlighted.
January
9 at their best · 9 in season
Mundaka, Rodiles, Playa de Somo, El Quemao, Zarautz, Razo, Cotillo, Pantín +1 more
February
9 at their best · 9 in season
Mundaka, Rodiles, Playa de Somo, El Quemao, Zarautz, Razo, Cotillo, Pantín +1 more
March
9 at their best · 9 in season
Mundaka, Rodiles, Playa de Somo, El Quemao, Zarautz, Razo, Cotillo, Pantín +1 more
April
7 at their best · 7 in season
Mundaka, Rodiles, Playa de Somo, Zarautz, Razo, Cotillo, Pantín
May
0 at their best · 0 in season
June
0 at their best · 0 in season
July
0 at their best · 0 in season
August
0 at their best · 0 in season
September
7 at their best · 7 in season
Mundaka, Rodiles, Playa de Somo, Zarautz, Razo, Cotillo, Pantín
October
9 at their best · 9 in season
Mundaka, Rodiles, Playa de Somo, El Quemao, Zarautz, Razo, Cotillo, Pantín +1 more
November
9 at their best · 9 in season
Mundaka, Rodiles, Playa de Somo, El Quemao, Zarautz, Razo, Cotillo, Pantín +1 more
December
9 at their best · 9 in season
Mundaka, Rodiles, Playa de Somo, El Quemao, Zarautz, Razo, Cotillo, Pantín +1 more
Lefts, rights and peaks in Spain
Every break we map here, by what the wave breaks over and which way it peels — a left peels to the surfer's left as they ride towards the beach.
| Break type | Lefts | Rights | Both ways / A-frames |
|---|---|---|---|
| Point | Mundaka | Lobos Island | — |
| Reef | El Quemao | — | — |
| Beach | Rodiles | — | Playa de Somo, Zarautz, Razo, Cotillo, Pantín |
Season at every Spain break
Each break's stated season, with its best months filled in.
- Cotillo
Cotillo
- Wave
- Beach break · A-frame peaks (lefts and rights)
- Level
- Intermediate
- Season
- September to April (autumn and winter)
- Tide
- All tides; sandbar-dependent
- Watch out
- Rip currents form between the sandbars — always check conditions before paddling out.
- Rodiles
San Roque
- Wave
- Beach break · Left-hand
- Level
- Intermediate
- Season
- September to April (autumn and winter)
- Tide
- All tides; sandbar-dependent
- Watch out
- Rip currents form between the sandbars — always check conditions before paddling out.
- El Quemao
- Wave
- Reef break · Left-hand
- Level
- Advanced
- Season
- October to March (winter)
- Tide
- Best on a mid-to-high tide
- Watch out
- Breaks over shallow coral or rock reef — booties are recommended and mind the take-off zone.
- Lobos Island
- Wave
- Point break · Right-hand
- Level
- Advanced
- Season
- October to March (winter)
- Tide
- All tides; best on a pushing tide
- Watch out
- Rocks and strong currents run around the point, so plan your entry and exit carefully.
- Mundaka
- Wave
- Point break · Left-hand
- Level
- Advanced
- Season
- September to April (autumn and winter)
- Tide
- All tides; best on a pushing tide
- Watch out
- Rocks and strong currents run around the point, so plan your entry and exit carefully.
- Pantín
- Wave
- Beach break · A-frame peaks (lefts and rights)
- Level
- Intermediate
- Season
- September to April (autumn and winter)
- Tide
- All tides; sandbar-dependent
- Watch out
- Rip currents form between the sandbars — always check conditions before paddling out.
- Playa de Somo
- Wave
- Beach break · A-frame peaks (lefts and rights)
- Level
- Beginner
- Season
- September to April (autumn and winter)
- Tide
- All tides; sandbar-dependent
- Watch out
- Rip currents form between the sandbars — always check conditions before paddling out.
- Razo
- Wave
- Beach break · A-frame peaks (lefts and rights)
- Level
- Beginner
- Season
- September to April (autumn and winter)
- Tide
- All tides; sandbar-dependent
- Watch out
- Rip currents form between the sandbars — always check conditions before paddling out.
- Zarautz
- Wave
- Beach break · A-frame peaks (lefts and rights)
- Level
- Beginner
- Season
- September to April (autumn and winter)
- Tide
- All tides; sandbar-dependent
- Watch out
- Rip currents form between the sandbars — always check conditions before paddling out.
Surf spots in Spain by level
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to surf Spain?
The best time to surf Spain is October to March: that is when the most breaks are at their best — 9 of the 9 Spain breaks we map at the peak.
Can you surf Spain all year round?
Not every month. None of the 9 breaks we map in Spain lists May to August in its season.
When is the best time for beginners to surf Spain?
The 3 beginner-rated breaks we map in Spain (Playa de Somo, Zarautz and Razo) are mostly at their best in September to April. Smaller days in the shoulder months are easier to learn on.
Which surf breaks in Spain are lefts and which are rights?
Lefts: Mundaka, Rodiles and El Quemao. Rights: Lobos Island. The table below splits every break we map in Spain by type and direction.