Sopelana
Sopelana is Bilbao's primary surf outlet—a powerful beach and reef break accessible via metro that serves the Basque capital's surf-starved population. The wave offers both beach break peaks and reef sections that can produce quality barrels when conditions align. The metro accessibility makes it absurdly crowded, especially on weekends, but the wave's power and potential keep locals coming back. It's proof that even industrial port cities can maintain legitimate surf culture when the coast is just a train ride away.
Today's Conditions
Location & Conditions
Tide Times
Strike Score Breakdown
Location & Conditions
Spot Details
Swell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NW (320°)
- Direction range
- 290° - 350°
- Size range
- 0.9m - 3.5m
- Ideal size
- 2.7m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 15s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- ESE (110°)
- Offshore range
- 70° - 150°
- Best window
- morning
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- low to mid
- Optimal range
- 0.4m - 1.6m
- Danger above
- 2.5m
Water temp
15°C
Wetsuit
4/3mm fullsuit
Difficulty
6/10
Crowd level
9/10
Access: Metro-accessible from Bilbao. Multiple beach sections.
Best Season
Peak: Oct-Dec
Secondary: Mar, Apr
Winter best for size. Spring cleaner conditions.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Sopelana
🚇 Metro-accessible surf • Bilbao's beach • Urban convenience
Menakoz
💀 Basque heavy water • Big-wave reef • Experts only
Punta Galea
🌊 Europe's big wave coliseum • 50-foot faces • BWC venue
Mundaka
🌊 Europe's best barrel • Medieval Basque village • 400m of tube time
Somo
🇪🇸 Cantabrian gateway • Ferry-access adventure • All-levels beach
Loredo
🌊 Cantabrian space • Multiple peaks • Somo alternative