Surfing Playa de Somo – Santander’s All-Rounder Beach Break
Just across the bay from Santander lies Playa de Somo, a long stretch of golden sand that’s become one of the most consistent and accessible surf beaches in northern Spain.
It might not have the cinematic drama of nearby Mundaka or the wildness of Asturias, but it’s got an ace up its sleeve: It’s beginner friendly.
In a region where there’s A LOT of exposure to strong NW Atlantic currents, the fact that you can head down the beach to tuck into the harbor shelter that’s created by Santander counts for a lot. The further you go, the smaller, less punchy the waves will get.
Now if that sounds like just about the perfect place to start surfing and progress, then that’s because it really is. There are few places I would reccomend higher in the late spring through to summer. (Winters can be heavy and cold).
Throw in a couple of very nice surf camps and a good vibe in the area behind the beach. Somo soon shapes up as a good option to add to any northern Spain romp, or just as a surf destination in its own right to be honest.
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Read all about surfing in Spain and surfing in the area of Cantabria
Surfing in Playa de Somo
Playa de Somo is a classic north-facing beach break that picks up almost any swell coming through the Bay of Biscay. The beach stretches for over 4km, with multiple peaks along its length. Conditions vary depending on the season, tide, and banks – but on its day, Somo can offer long, clean walls, hollow take-offs, and playful shoulders across a wide range of tides.
The kicker here is the fact that there’s a little protection offered on direct NW swells by the headlands over in Santander. It means that you can always track west down the beach to get something a little smaller if you’re not comfortable with the size further east. It also means you can gradually move up the beach to get harder waves and push yourself little by little. It’s a similar story to what Peniche has, only with WAY fewer people.
Lefts and rights break over sandy bottom, with some banks holding shape better than others. When the swell is small, it’s ideal for beginners and longboarders. When it’s head-high and firing, the outer banks dish up faster, punchier waves for confident shortboarders.
Somo gets busy, especially in summer and weekends, but the beach is big enough to spread out. The main peaks in front of the surf schools are often packed, so walk north or south for more space. There’s also loads more to check out in the greater region but you’ll probably need a car hire to venture out to those spots.
Other surf spots near to Playa de Somo
- Loredo – The east end of Playa de Somo merges into Playa de Loredo, which can offer slightly cleaner waves with fewer people, especially on windy days with a E wind because the dunes give a bit of protection. Same swell window, just a bit more tucked away. There can often be a foot or two extra on the sets here though, so it’s more advanced.
- Playa de Langre – A short drive east brings you to Langre, a beautiful beach with high cliffs rising to the west of it. That’s crucial because it means there’s great shelter from punishing NW swells and winds. The cliffs can chop the size down and make this a beginner-friendly bay even in heavy storms, which is why so many surf schools abound. A lovely place to learn.
- Santander – Back across the bay, Santander has its own urban beach breaks. El Sardinero is the main one, offering fun peaks when swell angles are right — but it’s more tide-sensitive and lacks the consistency of Somo.
- Liencres – About 30 minutes west by car, the gorgeous Liencres Natural Park has two powerful beach breaks backed by sand dunes. These spots are more advanced and less forgiving than Somo, seen as some of the very best in Cantabria.
When to surf in Playa de Somo?
Autumn is the prime surf season in Somo. Clean, long-period swells arrive regularly, the wind is often offshore in the mornings, and the water is still relatively warm. Crowds thin as summer ends, and the sandbars are usually in great shape.
The winter can be brutal here, as it can all across the Bay of Biscay, from France to Galicia. It’s often big and highly consistent, if potentially messy. It’s the best time for more advanced surfers.
Spring offers fun, manageable surf and longer days. April in particular can be great, with a mix of swell and favourable winds. The water’s still cold, but it’s a great time for intermediates and improving surfers. Surf schools typically open in late April or May, so you can grab lessons here without the summer crowds getting in the way.
Expect smaller, more beginner-friendly waves, especially in July and August. There’s still plenty of rideable surf, but longboarders and surf schools dominate. It’s busy.
Where to stay in Playa de Somo for surfing?
- Surf House Somo – These guys are on our list of the best darn surf camps in the whole of Spain, so we obviously think they’re doing something right. They offer intesive surf courses that are very technical and great if you’re serious about improving. It’s got a great location and ISA-qualified tutors.
- Somo Garden Villas – Intimate pads that are great for couples, overlooking a garden, with cool hot tubs in the rooms.
- Aloha Surf Hostel – The bargain option in town is a cracker. 100m from the beach, it’s all you need for a cheap, easy pad with good backpacker vibes. Book early if you come summer/autumn as they only have 36 beds.
Things to do in Somo when you’re not surfing
Somo isn’t flashy, but it’s got plenty to offer between surf sessions, from beach bars to coastal hikes and ferry rides to Santander, a great city that’s worth a few hours or a day. I also like that it’s a gateway to some of north Spain’s lesser-known mountain atrractions, so pack the hiking boots.
- Monumento Natural de Ojo Guareña – About 1.5 hours’ drive south is this amazing region of karst peaks that has rivers, gorges, caves, and wildlife aplenty. I took two days to hike there and hardly saw another person.
- Explore Santander – Hop on the passenger ferry across the bay for a day out in Santander. Visit the Centro Botin, stroll the elegant promenade, or grab pintxos in the old town. It’s a stylish city with surf-friendly roots.
- Cliff walks & coastal views – Take a walk east along the cliffs from Loredo to Langre. It’s an easy trail with stunning views and ends at one of Cantabria’s prettiest beaches.
How to get to Somo?
Playa de Somo is located in Cantabria, on the northern coast of Spain, directly across the bay from Santander. It’s easy to reach from the city — either by car (25 minutes) or by ferry, which crosses the bay in about 20 minutes and drops you off in neighbouring Pedreña, just a short walk or taxi from Somo.
If you’re flying in, Santander Airport (SDR) is closest, just 30 minutes away, with direct connections from Spain and parts of the UK and Europe.
Most visitors stay right in Somo or in nearby Loredo, both of which have great surf access and plenty of places to stay, eat, and hire boards.
I usually rent a car, just because it means I can then head to the mountains or other Cantabrian spots to surf.
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
