How to Surf in Western Cantabria, Spain

Cantabria lines the northern coast of Spain. Backed by rolling green fields and towering cliffs, the region has gorgeous beaches and surf spots, not to mention the Picos de Europa mountain range that edges the western border of Cantabria. Slightly more crowded than neighboring Asturias, Cantabria offers a variety of waves that make the crowds worth it. Read on to learn how to surf in Western Cantabria, Spain.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Surfboard
• Wet suit
• Car
• Map
• Spanish phrasebook

1. Start at Meron. The jetty reaching out into the ocean creates multiple peaks, keeping everyone happy and away from each other. For smaller waves, look towards the western side of the beach. The river mouth provides shelter from the wind and produces nice slow waves.
2. Take a camera to Oyambre. Besides the breathtaking backdrop of rolling green fields and red-topped farmhouses, Oyambre offers uncrowded waves with several different peaks. This beach is surprisingly vacant, given the abundance of waves and beautiful scenery. Use that to your advantage.
3. Surf at Somo, then spend the evening in nearby Santander. Somo is the closest beach to the city of Santander so it can get crowded on the sand, but the water is usually okay. A thriving surf scene keeps this break hopping, as well as the consistently working swell. Several campsites are nearby for those who don’t want to venture into the city.
4. Go big at Santa Maria. This right-handed reef break can reach over 5 meters and offers freight-train barrels and steep carving walls. It works most of the time, but during low tide, rocks become exposed near the take-off. Watch for body boarders on the east end of the break as well as a sometimes aggressive local crew.

Tips & Warnings

• Many other spots break in this area. However, a car is essential to find them.
• The nearest airport is Santander.
• Surfing can be dangerous or evenly deadly. Make sure to familiarize yourself with your equipment before surfing.
• When exploring new spots, respect the locals, and make sure that you are constantly aware of your surroundings. Conditions can change very quickly.