Best Time to Ride · Surfing · Spain
Surfing in Spain
9 surfing spots in Spain. The colours show each month: the stronger, the better for surfing.
Find the best time to goTap a spot to see when to go: wind, waves, water temperature, sun and rain in every month, from years of weather statistics.
Updated October 2026 · weather data 2022–2026
In short
- Best waves in Spain: January–March, October–December (around 1.9 m, water 18°C, 4/3 wetsuit).
- Smaller waves and the warmest water, good for beginners: July–September (around 1.3 m, water 23°C, shorty).
- Top picks: Fuerteventura – Flag Beach, Fuerteventura – El Cotillo & Zarautz.
- For beginners: Fuerteventura – Flag Beach, Zarautz & Lanzarote – Famara.
Regions
Fuerteventura – Flag BeachCanary Islands, Spain · best January–April, November–DecemberBeginner-friendly · 20°C water in season, 3/2 wetsuit · ✈ FUE 30 kmWave height per month (m, average daily max)
JFMAMJJASOND2.32.42.72.11.61.61.61.61.61.82.12.2
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Fuerteventura – El CotilloCanary Islands, Spain · best January–April, November–DecemberIntermediate and up · 20°C water in season, 3/2 wetsuit · ✈ FUE 28 kmWave height per month (m, average daily max)
JFMAMJJASOND2.32.42.72.11.61.61.61.61.61.82.12.2
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ZarautzBasque Country (Gipuzkoa), Spain · best January–March, November–DecemberBeginner-friendly · 15°C water in season, 5/4 wetsuit and boots · ✈ EAS 32 kmWave height per month (m, average daily max)
JFMAMJJASOND2.52.52.11.71.31.21.11.31.51.82.52.3
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SopelanaBasque Country (Biscay), Spain · best January–March, November–DecemberIntermediate and up · 14°C water in season, 5/4 wetsuit and boots · ✈ BIO 12 kmWave height per month (m, average daily max)
JFMAMJJASOND2.42.42.11.61.21.11.11.21.51.72.32.2
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MundakaBasque Country (Biscay), Spain · best January–March, November–DecemberAdvanced only · 14°C water in season, 5/4 wetsuit and boots · ✈ BIO 21 kmWave height per month (m, average daily max)
JFMAMJJASOND2.42.42.11.61.21.11.11.21.51.72.42.2
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Gran Canaria – Pozo IzquierdoCanary Islands, Spain · best MarchAdvanced only · 20°C water in season, 3/2 wetsuit · ✈ LPA 13 kmWave height per month (m, average daily max)
JFMAMJJASOND1.51.51.71.41.31.31.51.51.21.21.31.4
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El MédanoCanary Islands, Spain · best MarchIntermediate and up · 20°C water in season, 3/2 wetsuit · ✈ TFS 3 kmWave height per month (m, average daily max)
JFMAMJJASOND1.41.41.61.31.11.11.21.21.11.11.21.3
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Tarifa – Los LancesAndalusia, Spain · best January–MarchIntermediate and up · 16°C water in season, 4/3 wetsuit · ✈ GIB 29 kmWave height per month (m, average daily max)
JFMAMJJASOND1.41.41.41.10.80.80.70.60.80.911.1
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Wave height: average daily maximum.
Month by month in Spain
| Month | Waves | Water | Wetsuit | Air |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 2 m | 17°C | 4/3 wetsuit | 18°C |
| FebruaryFeb | 2.1 m | 17°C | 4/3 wetsuit | 19°C |
| MarchMar | 2.1 m | 17°C | 4/3 wetsuit | 19°C |
| AprilApr | 1.6 m | 17°C | 4/3 wetsuit | 21°C |
| MayMay | 1.3 m | 19°C | 3/2 wetsuit | 22°C |
| JuneJun | 1.2 m | 21°C | 3/2 wetsuit | 25°C |
| JulyJul | 1.2 m | 23°C | shorty | 27°C |
| AugustAug | 1.3 m | 23°C | shorty | 28°C |
| SeptemberSep | 1.4 m | 23°C | shorty | 26°C |
| OctoberOct | 1.5 m | 22°C | shorty | 25°C |
| NovemberNov | 1.9 m | 20°C | 3/2 wetsuit | 22°C |
| DecemberDec | 1.9 m | 18°C | 4/3 wetsuit | 19°C |
Averages of the 9 spots on this page. Best months highlighted. Air: average daytime high.
Questions
When is the best time for surfing in Spain?
Best waves in Spain: January–March, October–December (around 1.9 m, water 18°C, 4/3 wetsuit). Smaller waves and the warmest water, good for beginners: July–September (around 1.3 m, water 23°C, shorty).
What wetsuit do I need in Spain?
It depends on the month: about 23°C water in August (shorty) and about 17°C in February (4/3 wetsuit).
Is Spain good for beginners?
Yes, these spots suit beginners: Fuerteventura – Flag Beach, Zarautz & Lanzarote – Famara.
Which airport is closest?
Fuerteventura Airport (FUE), 30 km from Fuerteventura – Flag Beach; San Sebastián Airport (EAS), 32 km from Zarautz; Bilbao Airport (BIO), 12 km from Sopelana.
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