Gilleleje
Copenhagen's surf: wind-swell waves by the jetty when it blows hard from the north.
Gilleleje, on the north coast of Zealand, an hour from Copenhagen, only gets waves when a strong north or north-east wind whips up the Kattegat. Then short waves break by the harbour jetty and over boulder bottoms.
It's the usual getaway for surfers from the capital.
Spot facts
| Wave type | Reef |
|---|---|
| Direction | Lefts and rights |
| Level | Intermediate |
| Best swell | N, NE, NW |
| Best wind (offshore) | N, NE, NW |
| Tide | No significant tide |
| Size | 0.5–1.5 m |
| Best season | Autumn and winter, during northerly storms |
| Crowd | Medium |
| Localism | Low |
Surf forecast
Loading the forecast…
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 shortboard with extra volume, a fish or a funboard for wind swell. How many litres? Work out your volume with the volume calculator.
What to bring to surf Gilleleje
The water is around 4 °C in winter and 16 °C in late summer. This is what we'd bring for this spot's water, level and boards.
For water below 7 °C.
View on AmazonWarm feet in winter and protection on rocks.
View on AmazonKeeps your board from drifting off or hitting someone.
View on AmazonThe classic fish fins: speed in soft waves.
View on AmazonSeal a ding on the spot and keep surfing.
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
A Copenhagen crowd, calm vibe.
Surfing style
Wind-swell waves.
Hazards
Boulders and the jetty.
Map
Other spots nearby
Nordsjælland
A summer resort beach by a forest in Zealand, with northerly wind-swell waves.
Løkken (Nordjylland)
A summer resort beach with groynes and white bathing huts, where you park on the sand.
Hirtshals (Nordjylland)
A beach break with very clean water next to the ferry port to Norway.
Thy
Boulder reefs by Hanstholm harbour, working with a westerly wind.
Indicative information gathered from surf guides and surfers' experience. Conditions change with the sandbanks: check the forecast and ask at the beach.