With more than four thousand kilometers of Atlantic coastline, Europe offers a multitude of world-class and first-class surf spots for surfing. You can find some of the best waves in the world in Ireland, the south-west coast of France, Spain, Portugal and the Canary Islands. These surf spots are generally not for German hobby surfers, but are still beautiful to look at. There are also always very good surf spots for beginners and advanced surfers in the area!
Mullaghmore/County Sligo in Ireland
Officially confirmed as one of the best big wave spots in the world. Mullaghmore is named after the village of the same name and is located in the northwest of Ireland. Usually surfed as a tow-in session in the early years, this wave has also been paddled more and more in recent years. Among others by the German Nicolas von Rupp, who grew up in Portugal. The biggest waves run over the reef when a weather phenomenon nicknamed the "Viking Storm" prevails in the North Atlantic.
La Gravière/Hossegor in France
This wave is as legendary as Kelly Slater himself. As one of the best beach breaks in the world, La Gravière in Hossegor shapes the waves into fast, steep tubes with a power and perfection that even the best surfers in the world don't miss. Every year in September, the World Surf League Championship Tour comes to rock the Beast!
Mundaka/Basque Country in Spain
The surf spot is named after the town of the same name directly at the mouth of the river Oka into the Atlantic. Here, one of the longest left-hand waves in the world runs over sand with a steep shoulder and long tubes. The wave usually only unfolds its beauty from September onwards during the first major winter swells. The Billabong Pro was held here until 2009. Unfortunately, it was decided to remove Mundaka from the World Surf League Championship Tour in 2010 due to the inconsistent waves!
Supertubos/Peniche in Portugal
Supertubos can be found on the Peniche peninsula around an hour's drive north of Lisbon. This wave also runs over sand and is in no way inferior to its sister La Gravière in Hossegor in terms of power, steepness and tubes. Its world-famous barrels make Supertubos the second World Surf League Championship Tour stop in Europe. Every year at the beginning of October, the world's best surfers head straight after the event in Hossegor to the fishing village of Peniche on the Portuguese Atlantic coast for the Rip Curl Pro!
Coxos/Ericeira in Portugal
If the wave direction, size, period and wind are right, you'll see the best wave in Portugal and one of the best in Europe. Coxos is a point break in the World Surfing Reserve Ericeira. The wave runs to the right over an uneven reef and the entry is via a jump from the rock into the water. Afterwards you have to paddle quickly to get into the line up before the next set. This show alone is worth a visit!
Europe has countless first-class surf spots for beginners and pros. The continent offers waves all year round and is a paradise for every surfer. Nobody has to go to Bali, Australia or Sri Lanka to learn to surf!
