Somo (Ribamontán al Mar)
Beach breakBeginner
Santander's surf-school beach: miles of sand with peaks for every level.
The rule of thumb is simple: almost the whole coast faces north, so the best days come with a north-west swell and southerly winds. Summer is calmer and surf-school season; from October to March the big swells arrive and the water drops to 12–14 °C, so you'll need a 4/3 or 5/4 wetsuit.
Map
Somo / Loredo
ReefExpert
Cantabria's most famous big-wave right: powerful, fast and for experts only.
Langre (Ribamontán al Mar)
Beach breakIntermediate
A wild beach below the cliffs, with banks that work at low tide.
Galizano (Ribamontán al Mar)
ReefIntermediate
A punchy beach break and a fickle reef right that can get really good.
Santander
Beach breakIntermediate
Santander's city beach: it only wakes up with a big swell, and then it breaks hard.
Santander
Beach breakAll levels
A sheltered Santander cove that becomes a fun plan B on big days.
Liencres (Piélagos)
Beach breakAll levels
The most consistent, powerful wave near Santander, inside the Liencres Dunes natural park.
Suances
Beach breakAll levels
Suances' surfiest beach: long peaks, a channel to paddle out and a hollow right by the cliff.
Suances
Beach breakBeginner
Suances' quiet beach by the estuary: gentle waves to learn on.
Suances
ReefExpert
A powerful reef below the Suances cliffs, for experienced surfers on swell days.
Comillas / Valdáliga
Beach breakAll levels
A large natural bay between Comillas and San Vicente, with smaller waves when everywhere else is too big.
San Vicente de la Barquera
Beach breakAll levels
San Vicente de la Barquera's long beach, with peaks for everyone and the Picos de Europa behind.
Santoña
Beach breakAll levels
Two kilometres of sand below Mount Buciero, with waves almost all year.
Noja / Santoña
Beach breakIntermediate
One of Cantabria's most powerful waves: a long, hollow left that needs high tide.
Conditions at a glance
| Spot | Wave type | Level | Best swell | Best wind (offshore) | Tide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Somo | Beach break | Beginner | N, NW | S, SE | All tides |
| Isla de Santa Marina | Reef | Expert | NW | S, SE, E | Mid to high |
| Langre | Beach break | Intermediate | W, NW | S | Low |
| Galizano | Reef | Intermediate | NW, N | S, SE, SW | Low to mid |
| El Sardinero | Beach break | Intermediate | N, NW | S, SW | Mid to high |
| Mataleñas | Beach break | All levels | N, NW | S, SW, W | All tides |
| Liencres (Valdearenas) | Beach break | All levels | N, NW | S, SE, SW | Mid to high, rising |
| Los Locos | Beach break | All levels | NW, W | E, NE | All tides |
| La Concha (Suances) | Beach break | Beginner | NW, W | S, SW | Low to mid |
| Los Caballos | Reef | Expert | NW | S, SE, E | Low to mid, rising |
| Oyambre | Beach break | All levels | NW, W | S, SW, SE | All tides |
| Merón | Beach break | All levels | NW, N | S | Mid to high |
| Berria | Beach break | All levels | N, NW | S, SW | Rising; left at high tide |
| El Brusco | Beach break | Intermediate | NW, W | S, SE | High |
Indicative information gathered from surf guides and surfers' experience. Conditions change with the sandbanks: check the forecast and ask at the beach.
Which wetsuit to bring
The water is around 12 °C in winter and 20 °C in late summer.
4/3 wetsuit
The autumn-to-spring suit for water at 12–16 °C.
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5 mm booties
Warm feet in winter and protection on rocks.
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Shapers in Cantabria
Order a board designed for these waves from a local shaper.