Cabo de Gata (San Miguel)
The long beach of San Miguel de Cabo de Gata village, open to westerly swell.
West of the cape, the beach at San Miguel de Cabo de Gata runs for kilometres of sand beside the salt pans, inside the nature park. It faces south-west and picks up the swell from westerly (poniente) storms.
The waves are inconsistent, but the scenery and the peace make up for it.
Spot facts
| Wave type | Beach break |
|---|---|
| Direction | Lefts and rights |
| Level | All levels |
| Best swell | SW, S, W |
| Best wind (offshore) | N, NE, E |
| Tide | All tides |
| Size | 0.5–1.5 m |
| Best season | Autumn to spring |
| Crowd | Light |
| Localism | Low |
Surf forecast
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Hour-by-hour forecast for 14 days, with stars for your board and level, and the whole site without ads.
Model forecast for open water a few kilometres offshore: it can't see sandbanks or the shelter of headlands and jetties. The rating (0–5) is worked out from this spot's ideal swell and wind. Use it as a guide and check the sea before paddling out. Data: Open-Meteo (DWD, ECMWF; CC BY 4.0)
Which board to bring
A funboard on small days; a shortboard or fish with more swell. How many litres? Work out your volume with the volume calculator.
What to bring to surf Cabo de Gata (San Miguel)
The water is around 15 °C in winter and 23 °C in late summer. This is what we'd bring for this spot's water, level and boards.
The autumn-to-spring suit for water at 12–16 °C.
View on AmazonFor water from 17 °C.
View on AmazonThe safest, easiest board to learn on here.
View on AmazonKeeps your board from drifting off or hitting someone.
View on AmazonThe classic fish fins: speed in soft waves.
View on AmazonWarm-water wax won't grip in this water.
View on AmazonAmazon affiliate links: if you buy through them, Shapers Europe earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Localism and vibe
Very few people.
Surfing style
Open beach break.
Hazards
Frequent strong wind and few facilities.
Map
Other spots nearby
Almuñécar (Granada)
A horseshoe-shaped bay on the Costa Tropical that wakes up with a westerly.
Vélez-Málaga (Málaga)
A long Axarquía beach with groynes and soft waves in an easterly or westerly.
Málaga
Gravel-and-rock coves east of Málaga that work with an easterly.
Málaga
Málaga city's surf beach, beside the old Misericordia chimney.
All spots in Mediterranean Andalusia →
Indicative information gathered from surf guides and surfers' experience. Conditions change with the sandbanks: check the forecast and ask at the beach.