Strike Mission Surf Spots
type: ItemList
description: Expert-verified surf spot database with detailed swell/wind parameters, hazards, and travel information
number of items: 1
item list element: Westerland
provider: Strike Mission
  type: Organization
  description: Surf forecast intelligence platform
date published: 2026-01-20
date modified: 2026-08-05T03:16:15.024Z

Westerland
type: TouristAttraction
description: Westerland is Germany's unlikely surf capital—a beach break on Sylt Island in the North Sea that receives consistent swells from autumn through spring. The water is cold, the winds are strong, and the setting is surprisingly Germanic (think beach chairs and cafes), but the waves are real and the local community is passionate. It's proof that where there's swell and determination, surfing will find a way. German engineering meets wave riding.
disambiguating description: 🇩🇪 Germany's only surf • Sylt Island • Cold North Sea waves
geo: GeoCoordinates
  latitude: 54.9079
  longitude: 8.3044
address: PostalAddress
  address locality: Sylt Island
  address country: Germany
  address region: Europe
additional property: Wave Type
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Beach
  description: This is a beach break, breaking both.
additional property: Optimal Swell Direction
  type: PropertyValue
  value: 270°
  description: Works best with swells from 270° (W). Workable range: 240°-320°.
additional property: Swell Size Sweet Spot
  type: PropertyValue
  value: 0.6m - 2.5m
  description: Ideal size: 1.6m. Too small below 0.6m, too big (closeout) above 2.5m.
additional property: Swell Period
  type: PropertyValue
  value: 6s - 10s
  description: Needs at least 6s period. Ideal: 10s+ (long-period groundswell).
additional property: Optimal Wind
  type: PropertyValue
  value: 90° (E)
  description: Offshore wind from 90° (E). Offshore range: 45°-135°. Best window: both.
additional property: Tide Preference
  type: PropertyValue
  value: all
  description: Works best between 0.3m and 1.5m tide.
additional property: Primary Season
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
  description: Autumn-winter storms bring consistent swells. Windy year-round.
tourist type: All skill levels
warning: Warning
  text: 🌀 Strong rips, 🏝️ Remote
  description: Very cold water (8-16°C). Strong winds common.
accessibility API: Nearest airport: GWT
  type: Place
  description: 10 minutes drive from GWT airport.
content rating: verified
contributor: European surf guides
llm context:
  difficulty: 4
  crowd level: 4
  water temp c: 12
  best board: shortboard
  swell physics:
    explanation: Swell direction must be within the workable range AND within the spot's coastal orientation. A south-facing beach cannot receive north swells, no matter the size or period.
    optimal direction degrees: 270
    workable range min: 240
    workable range max: 320
    sweet spot size m: 1.55
  wind physics:
    explanation: Offshore wind (blowing from land toward ocean) grooms the wave face. Onshore wind (blowing from ocean toward land) destroys wave quality. Wind tolerance varies by wave type.
    optimal offshore degrees: 90
    offshore range min: 45
    offshore range max: 135
    max offshore speed kmh: 35
  travel logistics:
    nearest airport: GWT
    drive time minutes: 10
    boat required: false
    boat cost usd per day: 0
    access notes: Beach access from Westerland town.
  best season:
    primary months: 9
    primary months: 10
    primary months: 11
    primary months: 12
    primary months: 1
    primary months: 2
    primary months: 3
    primary months names: Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
    secondary months: 4
    secondary months: 8
    secondary months names: Apr, Aug
    season explanation: Autumn-winter storms bring consistent swells. Windy year-round.