Expert-verified surf spot database with detailed swell/wind parameters, hazards, and travel information
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.
🇩🇪 Germany's only surf • Sylt Island • Cold North Sea waves
Works best with swells from 270° (W). Workable range: 240°-320°.
Ideal size: 1.6m. Too small below 0.6m, too big (closeout) above 2.5m.
Needs at least 6s period. Ideal: 10s+ (long-period groundswell).
Offshore wind from 90° (E). Offshore range: 45°-135°. Best window: both.
Autumn-winter storms bring consistent swells. Windy year-round.
Very cold water (8-16°C). Strong winds common.
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.
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.