Atlantic waves breaking on Spain's rugged green north coast

Surf Camps in Spain

Spain’s Atlantic north coast: 1,200km from Galicia to the Basque Country. Green hills, consistent swell, empty lineups, and some of Europe’s best food. Four camps across three regions, from €50 a night.

Compare camps, check real reviews, and book at the best price.

From €50/night: all-inclusive packages available
Browse Camps Below

Spain’s Green Coast

The north coast of Spain faces the Atlantic. It’s not the Spain most people picture: no dry heat, no packed resorts. Up here it’s green, lush, and the coastline is carved by consistent Atlantic swell. Galicia in the northwest has a Celtic identity, wild cliffs, and Pantín Beach: home to Spain’s round of the WSL Qualifying Series. Cantabria in the centre has long sandy beaches and Santander just across the bay. The Basque Country in the northeast has the food, the culture, and Zarautz: one of Europe’s longest beach breaks.

Surfing here is less crowded than Portugal or France. The water is cooler, the lineups are emptier, and the after-surf scene is built around pintxos, cider, and seafood rather than beach bars. If you want good waves without fighting for them, this is the coast.

Three Regions, Three Styles

Pick a region based on what matters most: wave quality, budget, or vibe.

Galicia

Northwest: Pantín & Valdoviño
  • Wild Atlantic coast, Celtic culture
  • Pantín Beach: WSL Qualifying Series venue
  • 2 camps: weekly immersion or flexible 3-night stays
  • Fresh seafood and Albariño wine
Best for: Surf quality, uncrowded lineups, food lovers
From €65/night

Cantabria

North-Central: Somo & Santander
  • Long sandy beach breaks at Somo
  • Ferry to Santander city for evening exploring
  • 1 camp: flexible stays from 3 nights
  • 20+ years of surf camp experience
Best for: Families, flexible trips, city + surf combo
From €70/night

Basque Country

Northeast: Zarautz & San Sebastian
  • All-inclusive surf and yoga packages
  • Converted farmhouse in Pagoeta nature reserve
  • 1 camp: min 2 nights, 18+ only
  • San Sebastian: Europe’s gastronomy capital: 30 min away
Best for: Solo travellers, social trips, food & surf
From €50/night (all-inclusive)

Galicia: Wild Atlantic, Empty Lineups

The northwest corner of Spain. Galicia’s coast is rugged, green, and catches every Atlantic swell that crosses the Bay of Biscay. Pantín Beach hosts the WSL Qualifying Series every autumn: it’s that consistent. Two camps sit within minutes of this stretch: one right on the beach, one in a hilltop villa above it.

Alawa Surf Camp on Pantin Beach with ocean-view terrace, Galicia

Alawa Surf Camp

Pantín Beach, GaliciaOn the BeachMin 3 NightsYear-roundMinors’ Camp

Included

  • Steps from Pantín Beach
  • Fully equipped kitchen
  • Surfboard storage, communal areas
  • Ocean and mountain views
  • Liability and accident insurance

Add-ons

  • Surf coaching: €20/night
  • Video analysis and yoga
  • Airport transfer: Ferrol (free for minors), A Coruña (€40), Santiago (€55)
  • Minors’ surf camp (summer weeks): from €580/week
RoomFrom
Shared Room (bunk beds)€65/night
Double Room (couples)€110/night
Alawa sits right on Pantín Beach: the spot that hosts Spain’s round of the WSL. The camp is led by Estitxu Estremo, a two-time European surfing champion with over 20 years of coaching. Steps from the sand, a kitchen you can actually cook in, and a communal vibe that draws an international crowd. They also run summer surf camps for minors (ages 7–17) with 6 hours of daily coaching, all meals, and insurance included.
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Laola Surf Camp hillside villa above Valdovino beach, Galicia

Laola Surf Camp Galicia

Valdoviño, GaliciaSunday–Sunday7 NightsHalf-BoardYoga

Included

  • 5 surf lessons (max 6 per group)
  • 1 surf theory session
  • 2 yoga classes in the garden
  • Half-board: 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 2 dinners
  • Villa Valdoviño, 5-min walk from Pantín Beach

Add-ons

  • SUP, kayak, kitesurf lessons
  • Bike tours, trekking, horse riding
  • Massage and wellness
  • Airport transfers available
RoomFrom
Bed in Triple Shared Room€70/night
Queen Room (private)From €130/night
Laola Galicia is a full-immersion surf week. Sunday to Sunday in Villa Valdoviño: a hilltop property 5 minutes on foot from Pantín Beach. The instructors, Brais and Elie, are local surfers who’ve spent decades on this coastline. At €70 a night, you get accommodation, half-board meals, 5 surf lessons, yoga, and theory: one of the best-value all-inclusive surf weeks in Europe.
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Cantabria: Somo Beach & Santander

Somo sits on a peninsula across the bay from Santander. The beach is long, sandy, and picks up swell from the north and northwest. A 15-minute ferry takes you into Santander city for dinner, drinks, and a different pace. It’s the best city-and-surf combo on Spain’s north coast.

Surf To Live camp in Somo near Santander, Cantabria

Surf To Live

Somo, CantabriaMin 3 NightsFlexible Check-in20+ YearsFamily-Style

Packages

  • Free Surf: Accommodation + breakfast + board & wetsuit: €70/night
  • Surf Coaching: + daily lesson with instructor: €95/night

The Vibe

  • Steps from Somo’s breaks
  • 15-min ferry to Santander city
  • Group BBQs, beach parties, tide workshops
  • Run by Riccardo & Fernanda (20+ years)
  • International crew, family-style meals
RoomFrom
Shared Room (dorm-style)€70/night

Price includes Free Surf package (accommodation, breakfast, board and wetsuit). Upgrade to Surf Coaching for daily lessons.

Surf To Live has been running surf camps in Somo for over 20 years. Riccardo and Fernanda built the place with a family-first philosophy: group dinners, paella nights, and BBQs are as much part of the experience as the surf. The location is hard to beat: walk to the beach in the morning, take the ferry into Santander for dinner. They also offer SUP, wing foil, and kitesurf courses if you want to try something different.
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Zarautz beach break with Basque Country mountains behind

Basque Country: Zarautz, San Sebastian & All the Pintxos

The Basque Country is where surf meets gastronomy. Zarautz has one of Europe’s longest beach breaks. San Sebastian is 30 minutes away with more Michelin stars per square metre than almost anywhere on earth. The mountains behind the coast are green year-round.

Stoke Surf House near Zarautz in the Basque Country

Stoke Surf House

Aia, Basque Country18+ OnlyAll-InclusiveMin 2 NightsApril–OctoberYoga

All-Inclusive Packages

  • Surf & Yoga: Accommodation + 3 meals + daily yoga + daily surf lesson + board/wetsuit + transfers: €60/night
  • Yoga only: Same as above without surf: €50/night
  • 7+ nights: Unlimited beer, sangria, and soft drinks + surf theory lesson

The Vibe

  • Converted Basque farmhouse in Pagoeta nature reserve
  • Run by Stoke Travel since 2005
  • Free transfers from Zarautz train station
  • Skimboards, skateboards, half pipe, slackline
  • San Sebastian nightlife 30 min away
RoomFrom
Shared Dorm Bed€50/night
Surf & Yoga Package€60/night

Prices include Yoga package (accommodation, 3 meals, daily yoga, transfers). Add surf for €10/night more.

Stoke has been running this house since 2005 and the formula works: surf all morning, yoga in the afternoon, eat three meals you didn’t have to cook, and drink sangria you didn’t have to buy (on stays of 7+ nights). The farmhouse is in a nature reserve above Zarautz: stone walls, wooden floors, and a view of the mountains. Transfers from the train station are free, so you don’t need a car. If you’re 18+ and want to surf, eat well, and meet people, this is the one.
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Best Time to Surf in Spain

The north coast season runs April to November. Here’s what each stretch looks like.

MonthWater TempSwellCrowdsVerdict
Apr–May14–16°CMedium, consistentLowEarly season: quiet lineups, decent waves, 4/3 wetsuit
June17°CConsistent, cleanModerateSweet spot: warm days, reliable surf, pre-summer crowds
Jul–Aug19–21°CMixedPeakWarmest water, busiest lineups. Small swell days are common
September20°CBuilding, consistentModeratePost-summer: warm water, fewer people, swell picks up
Oct–Nov16–18°CBig, powerfulLowPantín WSL event month. Biggest swells, experienced surfers

Short version: June and September are the best months for most surfers. July and August are warmest but the busiest. October brings the biggest swells: Pantín’s WSL event runs in autumn for a reason.

For year-round surf under the Spanish flag: check our Canary Islands page: Fuerteventura and Lanzarote have waves every month.

What You Get When You Book

Every camp on Waverick is vetted, detailed, and bookable in a few clicks.

Surf Coaching

All four camps offer lessons with certified coaches. From beginner to intermediate, equipment included.

Atlantic Surf Season

April to November on the north coast. Water 14–21°C depending on the month.

Meals & Packages

All-inclusive at Stoke. Half-board at Laola. Breakfast at Surf To Live. Kitchen at Alawa. Your call.

Best Prices

We compare rates across platforms so you always get a competitive deal.

WiFi & Essentials

WiFi, parking, and linen at all four camps. Tourist tax covered at most.

€30 Off at Checkout

Use the code at checkout for €30 off your booking.

Why book Spain through Waverick

Four reasons travellers choose us over the bigger surf-camp aggregators.

Real prices, no quotes

Live prices in EUR for every camp, every room, every package. No "request a quote" forms. Book in a few clicks.

Verified reviews only

Reviews come from travellers who actually booked through Waverick. No fake five-stars, no marketing edits.

Compare before you book

All Spain camps side-by-side: room types, packages, prices, and what is included. No clicking through 7 partner sites.

Direct, no middleman markup

Same price as booking direct with the camp. Waverick is paid by partners, not by inflating your bill.

What to know before you go to Spain

Six practical things travellers ask before booking a Spanish surf trip.

Wetsuit

Bring 3/2 for June to September. Camps include rental wetsuits in their packages, but if you have your own and prefer the fit, bring it. Winter trips need 4/3 with hood; deep January in Galicia can need 5/4.

Boards

All Waverick Spain camps include board rental in lessons and free-surf packages. Foamies for beginners, hard tops for intermediates. If you ride a specific shape, bring it: Spanish budget airlines charge €60-90 per board.

Visa

EU and Schengen residents need no visa. UK travellers get 90 days visa-free under the Schengen rule. US, Canada, Australia, NZ also 90 days visa-free. Outside this list, check with your nearest Spanish consulate.

Money

Euros (EUR). Cards work everywhere in cities and at most camps; bring some cash for small village cafes and the Somo-Santander ferry. ATMs at all airports. Tap-and-pay accepted at almost every till.

Tipping

Lighter than the US. Round up at cafes, leave 5 to 10 percent at sit-down restaurants if service was good. Hotel staff and surf coaches do not expect tips, but a small thank-you is welcomed at the end of a week.

Day trips

Picos de Europa from Cantabria (1 hour drive). San Sebastián pintxos crawl from any Basque camp. The Costa da Morte coastal road from Galicia. All three are flat-day winners and easily added to a 7-night surf trip.

Getting to your Spanish surf camp

Four airports cover the north Atlantic coast. Camps offer transfers; rental cars and trains work too.

Bilbao (BIO)

The biggest hub. Direct flights from London, Paris, Frankfurt, Brussels, and most major European cities. 30 minutes by car to San Sebastián, 90 minutes to Cantabrian camps. Most Basque and Cantabrian camps offer transfer here.

Santander (SDR)

Cantabria's regional airport. Ryanair and EasyJet from London Stansted, Manchester, Dublin in summer. 20 minutes by car or via the Somo ferry to the Cantabrian camps. The most direct route if you find a flight here.

Santiago de Compostela (SCQ)

Galicia's main hub. Routes from London, Dublin, Frankfurt, Zurich, plus most Spanish cities. 90 minutes by car to Pantín. Both Galician camps offer transfer from here. Combine with a half-day Camino visit on arrival or departure.

A Coruña (LCG)

Galicia's smaller airport. Iberia, Vueling, Ryanair from a handful of European cities. 60 minutes by car to Pantín. The simplest option for Alawa or Laola if you can find a direct flight from your origin.

The 8 best surf spots in Spain

From Cantabria's beginner-friendly inside section to Mundaka's world-famous left, here are the spots Waverick coaches actually take their guests.

Mundaka

Basque Country
Level: AdvancedWave: Left-hand rivermouth point

One of the best left-hand waves in Europe. A long peeling left that holds size, in a rivermouth setting that needs respect: paddle out only when locals do. Best September to March on big west swell. The 1999 WCT contest put it on the global map.

Zurriola (San Sebastián)

Basque Country
Level: All levelsWave: Beach break, multiple peaks

The city beach of San Sebastián, surfable year-round with shape that varies by sandbar. Inside on small days for beginners, outside on bigger days for intermediates. Surf-shop strip on the boardwalk, pintxos a 5-minute walk away.

Zarautz

Basque Country
Level: Beginner to intermediateWave: Beach break, 2.5 km of sand

Spain's longest sand beach, exposed to swell with multiple peaks across its length. The home of Spanish competitive surfing. Beginner-friendly on small summer days, picks up size in autumn. Surf school capacity is the highest on the Basque coast.

Sopelana

Basque Country
Level: Intermediate to advancedWave: Beach break with reef sections

Bilbao locals' weekday spot, 20 minutes from the city by metro. Two beaches (Atxabiribil and Arrietara) with peaks for every tide. Heavier than Zarautz, with less crowd outside weekends. Best autumn to spring on north-west swell.

Somo (Playa de Somo)

Cantabria
Level: BeginnerWave: Beach break, soft sand bottom

The friendliest beginner beach in Spain. 2 km of sand with a long inside section that breaks at shoulder height for 50 to 100 metres. Where most Spanish surfers learn. Surf schools cluster on the dune line, all summer long.

Loredo (El Brusco)

Cantabria
Level: IntermediateWave: Beach break + small reef

Somo's quieter eastern neighbour with the El Brusco reef peak picking up swell when Somo flattens. Slightly more shape and power than Somo proper. The intermediate's natural progression spot once whitewater feels easy.

Pantín (Praia de Pantín)

Galicia
Level: Intermediate to advancedWave: Beach break, multiple peaks

Galicia's headline beach, 1.2 km of sand at the head of a wide bay. Hosts the Pantín Classic WSL contest every August into September. Powerful, well-shaped peaks on autumn groundswell. Lineups are 30 surfers on a clean day, not 200.

Razo (Costa da Morte)

Galicia
Level: Intermediate to advancedWave: Beach break, raw exposure

The Costa da Morte's 2 km open-ocean beach. More raw than Pantín, with peaks that shift on swell direction and wind. Tiny crowds even on perfect days. The gateway to the deeper Galician exploration zone (Nemiña, Lires, Cabo Vilán).

Choose your kind of camp

Three ways to narrow down which Spanish surf camp matches your trip.

By level

  • First-timers Surf To Live (Somo) or Surfbase Loredo. Both walk to the friendliest beach in Spain. Daily lessons + video review.
  • Improving Stoke San Sebastián for Zurriola access; Surfbase Loredo for the El Brusco reef when you outgrow whitewater.
  • Confident intermediate+ Alawa Pantín or Laola Galicia. Powerful peaks, empty lineups, advanced coaches who know the Costa da Morte.

By region

  • Basque Country Pintxos, Mundaka, San Sebastián. The most cultural and the most varied. Stoke and Familycamp Zarautz.
  • Cantabria Beginner-friendly Somo + the Picos de Europa an hour south. Surf To Live and Surfbase Loredo.
  • Galicia Empty Atlantic and the Pantín Classic. Alawa Pantín and Laola Galicia. The deeper, wilder option.

By camp style

  • Social hostel Surf To Live, Alawa Pantín. Shared meals, dorm rooms, group sessions. Best for solo travellers.
  • Boutique / private Surfbase Loredo, Laola Galicia. Private rooms, fewer guests, more independent rhythm.
  • Family-friendly Familycamp Zarautz (kids tents) or Alawa Pantín (junior programme 8-16). Both built for parents and kids.

All Spain camps side-by-side

Quick compare of the seven Spanish surf camps on Waverick. Click any name for full details, prices, and live availability.

CampRegionBest forFrom / nightMin stay
Surf To LiveCantabriaBeginners, social€257 nights
Surfbase LoredoCantabriaBeginners, private rooms€653 nights
Alawa PantínGaliciaBeginners + juniors 8-16€307 nights
Laola GaliciaGaliciaIntermediate, Sun-Sun€707 nights
Stoke San SebastiánBasque CountrySurf + yoga€707 nights
Familycamp ZarautzBasque CountryFamilies with kids€1727 nights
Surfcamp ZarautzBasque CountryBeginner to intermediate€433 nights

Common Questions About Surfing in Spain

Quick answers to the things people ask before booking.

When is the best time to surf in northern Spain?
May to October for the full season. June and September offer the best balance: consistent swell, warm air, and fewer people. July and August are busiest but the water is warmest (around 20°C). Spring and autumn bring bigger swells for experienced surfers.
Do I need surfing experience?
No. All four camps offer beginner lessons with equipment provided. Pantín Beach in Galicia has sandy beach breaks great for learning. Somo in Cantabria is a long sandy stretch where beginners start. Zarautz in the Basque Country has consistent waves for all levels. Groups are small: typically 6–8 surfers per coach.
What’s the water temperature like?
14–16°C in spring, warming to 19–21°C in summer, then cooling through autumn. A 3/2 wetsuit is fine from June to September. Spring and autumn need a 4/3. The north coast is cooler than the Mediterranean but warmer than you’d expect: the Gulf Stream helps.
Which region is best for beginners?
All three work for beginners, but Galicia and Cantabria have the widest sandy beaches. Pantín Beach and Somo Beach are both long, sandy, and consistent: the conditions coaches look for. The Basque Country has more reef breaks mixed in, but Zarautz is sandy and good for learning too.
What’s included in the price?
It varies by camp. Stoke (Basque Country) is all-inclusive: 3 meals, yoga, and transfers from €50/night. Laola Galicia includes half-board and 5 surf lessons at €70/night. Alawa and Surf To Live offer surf packages with accommodation. Check each camp’s listing for the full breakdown.
How do I get to the north coast of Spain?
Galicia: Fly to Santiago de Compostela (SCQ) or A Coruña (LCG), then 45–60 min drive. Cantabria: Fly to Santander (SDR) or Bilbao (BIO), short drive to Somo. Basque Country: Fly to San Sebastian (EAS) or Bilbao (BIO), Zarautz is 25 min from San Sebastian. Budget airlines fly direct in summer.
Can I book less than a week?
Yes, at most camps. Stoke has a 2-night minimum. Alawa and Surf To Live take 3-night bookings. Only Laola Galicia requires a full week (Sunday to Sunday). For a short trip, you have three flexible options.
Is there year-round surfing in Spain?
The north coast is seasonal: most camps run April to October. For year-round surf, check our Canary Islands page: Fuerteventura and Lanzarote have swell every month with water at 18–23°C.

Your Surf Trip to Spain Starts Here

Four camps across Galicia, Cantabria, and the Basque Country. From €50 a night, all-inclusive packages available. Book now and get €30 off at checkout.

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