Surf breaks in the south of Spain
After months of lockdown in London during the Coronavirus pandemic in 2020, Charlie took the opportunity to escape to the south of Spain for the start of the surf season. Take Hostel, a surf hostel in Conil de la Frontera, had a long stay offer including accommodation, co-working and of course surfing and why wouldn’t Charlie get on an airplane to make use of that opportunity?
Before we take a look at the surf spots, here’s some useful information about Andalucía:
- Language: Spanish
- Currency: Euro
- Time Zone: GMT+1
- Electricity: 220V
- Plugs: European, two rounded pins
- Healthcare: European Health Card accepted
- Emergency Telephone number: 112
- Getting there: Fly to Sevilla, Jerez or Málaga
Surfing under the Andalusian sun
Andalucía measures nearly 700 miles (1100 km) of coastline between Europe and Africa with the Mediterranean east of Gibraltar and the Atlantic Ocean in the west. Between Málaga and Cádiz, more than 50 surf breaks for all levels are available to choose from, however the best breaks in Andalucía are along the Cádiz coast between Portugal and Gibraltar. Especially during the winter months, the open water of the Atlantic Ocean brings some heavy swells in that result in over-head barrels on some days. But worry not, there are also quieter days with beginner friendly waves. For beginners, the summer months are better suited, experienced surfers find their way to Andalucía in winter.
Surfing in Conil de la Frontera
Charlie stayed at Take Hostel in Conil which is only 100m away from the beach where you can surf the river. When the tide rises, the river Río Salado along the town of Conil fills with water and when the conditions are right, you get a perfect wave to surf at the river mouth. With the surrounding green fields, the town made of white houses on a hill and a seemingly endless white beach, you couldn’t imagine a more scenic surf spot. From there you can also enjoy the sunrise over the mountains and the sunset over the sea – it is one of the rare places in the world that are equally magical at blue hour and golden hour.
Apart from the Conil river break, there is another famous surf beach on the other side of town: Fontanilla or Fuente del Gallo. The cliffs protect the spot from the winds, and it offers right and left peaks. From a café up on the hill, you can oversee the coastline and admire some perfect sets rolling in from the sea. Charlie would have never imagined seeing such clean sets of waves in Europe.
Surfing in El Palmar
El Palmar is a small surf village by the beach about 3 miles east of Conil de la Frontera and the place where Spanish surfers meet. Whilst Conil is a quite urban town, El Palmar reminds more of a small settlement in between the fields and the beach. Bars, coffee shops and surf schools are lined up along the coast followed by car and van parks, hostels, and camping. Take Hostel in Conil, where Charlie stayed, has a surf school and shop in El Palmar. You can grab a board, cross the road and get yourself in some of the best waves mainland Europe has to offer. El Palmar is an exposed beach break where the surf can get bigger than the surfers, especially in winter where you get to see some barrels in action. Beginners get their fair share of surfing too as the long waves allow for the perfect long-boarding experience on smaller days or even in the white water.
Surfing in Caños de Meca and Faro Trafalgar
If the barrels in El Palmar on the bigger days get you out of your comfort zone, there is another surf break not far from there in Caños de Meca. The spot is a bit more protected and the waves are usually a bit smaller than in El Palmar. Caños de Meca is a rocky point break and and other than El Palmar where you can walk in the water, you are in for a good paddle. It is totally worth it once you reach the peak of that wave. Charlie surfed there and also tried her surf photography from inside the sea.
If you prefer a beach break, you can walk a bit along the coast (it is the same car park) towards the Lighthouse Faro de Trafalgar from where you can also admire a beautiful sunset.
Surfing in Cádiz
If you are interested in a more urban surf experience, the city of Cádiz is only a 40-minute drive from Conil de la Frontera. With some of the oldest architecture of Spain in the background, you can get yourself in the waves. The urban surf spot in Cadiz is an open beach break, but some wind breakers turn it into a protected spot. Cádiz also has a long beach promenade with a cycle path that invites for a surf skate or a drink by the beach.
If you continue along the coast towards west, you’ll soon reach Portugal which also invites for some good surf or a little weekend trip which is popular amongst those that spend their surf trip in a van. Towards east, there is one more surf beach worth mentioning, Los Lances in Tarifa. It is very popular for wind and kitesurfing. Further east on the other side of Gibraltar, you’ll find Huelva, Málaga and Granada which also offer good surf beaches, but less popular than the ones between Cádiz and Tarifa. There must be a reason why Spanish surfers usually mingle in El Palmar!
