The Stoked Zone presents some of the best surf spots for surfing in January. Read here and plan your next surf trip.
The Canary Islands are perfect for escaping the northern European winter: First and foremost, sun, short flight time (4.5 hours), mild to warm climate and perfect for surfing in January.
Country: Spain
Spot: Majanicho
Location: Canary Islands
Best months: September – February
Surf level: All levels
Location of the spot: Large bay with sand and stones
Wave: Long, moderate, right-breaking wave with good sections for cutbacks
Wave height: 1 – 3m
Wave direction: W – NNO
Best wind direction: Southerly winds
Optimal tides: hightide – midtide
Ground: Reef
Neoprene: 4/3
Water: 18°
Air: 20°
Dangers:
Advantages:
+ safe bay (compared to other North Shore surf spots)
+ rarely crowds
+ no tourists
+ in the middle between El Cotillo and Corralejo
+ good conditions for advanced users
+ accommodation directly near the spot, in Lajares, El Cotillo or Corralejo
Disadvantages:
– from March to September, the Passat winds (NE-E) pick up speed and the wave becomes susceptible to winds
– hardly any infrastructure in Majanicho
– hardly any alternatives to surfing (except SUP, windsurfing and wingsurfing)
Tips:
If your surfing level is good enough, you should check out the other spots on the North Shore nearby: e.g. La Derecha, La Izquierda
Andalusia also offers a fairly mild climate and great surfing conditions, especially for beginners and advanced surfers. The flight time to Malaga, for example, is quite short at 3.5 hours.
Country: Spain
Spot: El Palmar
Location: Andalusia, between Conil de la Frontera and Canos de Meca
Best months: September – April
Surf level: All skill levels
Location of the spot: On a sandy beach over 3 km long
Wave: Moderate to strong wave at changing peaks
Wave height: 0.5 – 2.5m
Wave direction: S – NW
Best wind direction: Easterly winds
Optimal tides: hightide – midtide
Ground: Sand
Neoprene: 4/3
Water: 15°
Air: 17°
Dangers:
Advantages:
+ safe beach
+ there are enough peaks for the crowds to spread out
+ almost always suitable peaks for beginners
+ many surf camps and surfboard rental companies
+ cool surfer vibe
+ not a normal tourist beach
+ good conditions for beginners and advanced surfers
+ accommodation near the spot
Disadvantages:
– susceptible to low pressure from the west in winter and therefore rain
– crowds
– conditions change greatly with the tides
– susceptible to winds between S – N
Tips:
Be sure to explore the beautiful area between Canos de Meca and Tarifa with its numerous other surf spots.
Algarve is the perfect region to spend the winter there or for a surf trip. You will find perfect surfing conditions somewhere in the Algarve in almost all swell and wind directions.
Country: Portugal
Spot: Arrifana
Location: Approx. 1h north of Sagres
Best months: September – June
Surf level: All skill levels
Location of the spot: Sandy beach, larger bay surrounded by rocky cliffs
Wave: Moderate to strong wave at changing peaks, with large swell a long right-breaking wave
Wave height: 0.5 – 3m
Wave direction: S – NW
Best wind direction: Easterly winds
Optimal tides: hightide – midtide
Ground: Sand
Neoprene: 4/3
Water: 14°
Air: 17°
Dangers:
Advantages:
+ safe bay in moderate conditions
+ there are enough peaks for the crowds to spread out
+ well suited for beginners with small waves
+ not a normal tourist beach
+ good conditions for beginners and advanced surfers
+ great natural surroundings
+ there can also be great waves in Arrifana in summer
Disadvantages:
– susceptible to low pressure from the west in winter and therefore rain
– a little cooler in winter
– no infrastructure
– no surf stores, no surfboard rental
– susceptible to westerly winds
– relatively crowded beach in summer
Tips:
Check out Carrapateira if you are confident in surfing. Great spot, great area!
For those who prefer it a bit warmer, they should relocate their surfing in January to Morocco. World-class surf spots, a pleasant climate and a very interesting culture.
Country: Morocco
Spot: Anchor Point
Location: Approx. 0.5h north of Agadir
Best months: September – April
Surfing level: Suitable for beginners, advanced and pros
Location of the spot: Rocky beach at a small cliff
Wave: perfect, long-running, right-breaking shaft
Wave height: 1 – 4m
Wave direction: NW – W
Best wind direction: Northeasterly winds
Optimal tides: hightide – midtide
Ground: Sand-covered stone reef
Neoprene: 4/3 – 3/2
Water: 20°
Air: 18°
Dangers:
Advantages:
+ perfectly running waves with many peaks
+ crowds spread out at the various peaks
+ spots for beginners and advanced surfrers in the bay of Taghazout
+ good infrastructure with everything that goes with it
+ lots of sun
+ interesting culture
Disadvantages:
– susceptible to westerly winds
– usually hot and flat in the summer
– not suitable for beginners
– occasional thefts
Tips:
Check out “Killer Point” just around the corneras an alternative spot.
It can be even warmer 
. Cape Verde is nice and warm in winter due to its proximity to the equator and offers great spots, such as Ponta Preta, for surfing in January.
Country: Cape Verde
Spot: Ponta Preta
Location: East of West Africa
Best months: September – April
Surfing level: Suitable for beginners, advanced and pros
Location of the spot: Stony beach that merges into a sandy bay
Wave: perfect, long-running, right-breaking shaft
Wave height: 1 – 4m
Wave direction: NW – W
Best wind direction: Northeasterly winds
Optimal tides: Lowtide – Midtide
Ground: Sand-covered stone reef
Neoprene: Shorty, 3/2
Water: 22°
Air: 22°
Dangers:
Advantages:
+ perfectly running wave
+ few surfers
+ spots for beginners and advanced surfers in the bay of Santa Maria
+ good infrastructure in Santa Maria with everything that goes with it
+ lots of sun
+ tropical watercolors
+ no rain
+ interesting culture
+ various family hotels in the vicinity
Disadvantages:
– susceptible to westerly winds
– Passat winds (NE) almost daily
– swell often too small that Ponta Preta does not run properly
– not suitable for beginners
– flat desert landscape
Tips:
With wind and swell, Ponta Preta is one of the top spots for windsurfing in the waves!
Check out the east side of Sal – a true paradise for kitesurfing!
Here is some more info on Sal.
You can find more warm destinations for your surfing in January in our blog “Surfing in winter – warm destinations”.
For your further travel planning, we recommend our blog “All about surf equipment – what do I need for surfing”, especially if you are a beginner surfer or don’t have much experience yet.
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