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