Surfing in January

The Stoked Zone presents some of the best surf spots for surfing in January. Read here and plan your next surf trip.

Topics

Surfen_im_Januar_Majanicho_Fuerte

1. Fuerteventura

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:

  • Reef edge, especially at low tide
  • high waves with correspondingly strong currents, occasional sea urchins

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

Wellenreiten_in_Andalusien_Surfcamp_El_Palmar

2. Andalusia

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:

  • Beach break during big swell

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.

Surfen_im_Januar_Arrifana

3. Algarve

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:

  • right-breaking wave runs over two large rocks
  • Closeout in the middle of the bay with large waves

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!

Surfen_im_Januar_Anka_Point

4. Taghazout

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:

  • Entry and exit over the rocks
  • Crowds

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.

Surfen_im_Januar_Ponta_Preta_Sal_Kapverden

5. Sal

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:

  • Entry and exit, when walking over the rocks
  • with a small swell you surf directly along the rocks

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.

Arrifana_Surfen_im_Janauar

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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