Surfer's Almanac: Europe

Twenty years ago Scotland was not thought of as a surfing destination, but with better wetsuit technology and one well known world-class break at Thurso and a few other secret spots, Scotland is becoming a more popular destination for waveriders. Water temperatures range from 55F to 60F in summer and dip down to 40-45F (4-7C) in winter.  The north and west coasts see consistent swell. The east coast of Scotland has less consistent surf, but some great point and reef setups. Best time of year for waves is September and October. As with the rest of Northern Europe, the prevailing winds flow from west to east and the tidal differences are extreme. The phenomenon known as The Push -- waves boosted by the incoming tide -- can switch a spot from flat to fantastic in a few hours.

See the Archive for our Scotland Stories.

Ireland has some of the best surf in Europe. The island is exposed to most of the North Atlantic's storm activity and bathed in warm waters of the Gulf Stream. Wave seasons are April-May and September-October. Summer water temperatures climb to 65F and fall below 40F in winter. Lots of rain year round helps keep the Emerald Isle green. See the Archive for more.

England and Wales share Ireland's wave seasons, and have somewhat cooler water temperatures. With its proximity to London and other cities, SW England draws larger crowds. However, antisocial surfers can find empty waves if they're willing to hike a bit.

The southwest region of France has become a surf mecca in the past 20 years. Known as The Aquitaine, the coastline along the Bay of Biscay gets powerful swell rolling up out of the deep water just offshore. The surf spots are mostly sandy beachbreak with a few notable reefs and points. The golden season for waves is September and October, although May and June can also get good. Water temps in the fall hover around 60F. Check a previously published story on France in the Archive.

The Green Coast of northwestern Spain has been compared to California's Monterey Peninsula, probably more for its terrain than its factionalized populace. October and November are prime months here. Spain and Portugal were covered in the archived Iberia story.

Portugal is said to have great waves and an aggro surf community. November and December are the choice months for riding and the water temps don't stray far from 60F. A greater threat than stroppy locals is the water pollution, which can get really bad at some beaches.