Suances Surf & Travel Guide

Playa de los Locos is the highlight of Suances. Right on the northern tip of town, it’s angled perfectly to get all the NW swell hits and that means consistency.

It’s got moxie on big days but also decent learner conditions as the summer swells – lighter and smaller – come by. Hence the rental spots that pop up beside the waves from around May onwards, and the steady rising number of local surf camps.

The wave quality is fair to pretty darn good – there’s a good right that works on a pushing tide against the cliffs but multiple peaks beyond that, each punchy and good fun. Risks are big rips and some cross currents, especially on winter days.

This isn’t really sleepy, off‑the‑grid surfing like you might find further west in Asturias. Suances has a proper summer buzz: surf schools on the beach, bars spilling out onto the promenade, and a crowd that mixes local surfers with (lots of) Spanish holidaymakers and a growing number of travelers. AKA summers can be busy.

Suances’ other selling point? It’s a gateway to a region that’s rife with loads of surf spots. I’m talking secret, empty ones that you can drive to in 10-30 minutes to enjoy the Cantabrian wild on your own.

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!

Read all about surfing in Spain and surfing in the area of Cantabria

What’s the surf like in Suances?

Los Locos (Playa de Los Locos) is the jewel of Suances. It’s a northwest facing beach break backed by cliffs, with a broad sandy bay that picks up A LOT of swell.

The wave here has real punch when there’s anything over 5 foot in the forecast and nice big periods to up the joule count. I’m talking fast walls, steep drops, and the odd barrel when the sandbars line up.

It’s one of Cantabria’s most consistent surf spots and works in everything from waist‑high summer days to double‑overhead winter swells.

The downside is that it’s busy. There’s 8,500 people living in Suances itself but another 180,000 or so in nearby Santander, and many of them have eyes on the forecast here when it gets good. The city is only 15 mins away in the car, after all.

There are also some rips to watch out for and a few pockets of rock against the cliffs at the east end and then again in the middle of the bay. I got a pretty bad cut to prove that they can be nasty if you don’t know they’re around!

On smaller days, Los Local can be great place to learn. There are even surf schools on the sand and they usually ply thier trade throughout the summer to get the best beginner conditions.

The locals won’t drop away when it’s smaller though – hotdoggers and airs will abound.

Best swell – NW or a heavier W
Best wind – Light SE or S
Best tide – Mid- to high
Skill level – All levels, depending on swell size

Playa de La Concha

Just around the corner from Los Locos, La Concha has to be one of the most protected bays in the whole of Northern Spain. And because of that, it really struggles to work a lot of the time. It needs huge W or dead on N swells to get kicking really, and even then it can be small unless the compass direction is dead right.

The beach is tucked between a headland and a manmade breakwater that paves the way into the Suances harbor. It can have lefts on the rocks at its west end and pretty wedgy, pitching rights off the concrete to the east. Both look super fun but are fickle as fickle can be.

This is likely to be a winter only spot, because in summer the beach converts into a lake-like place for SUPers and sunbathers.

Surfing around Suances

Liencres – About 20 minutes east, Liencres is home to some of the most exposed and consistent beach breaks in Cantabria. Valdearenas is raw and powerful; Canallave is a touch more sheltered. Both are great when you want bigger or more open surf. Or just for something more accessible from Santander.
Santander – If you like city life then consider a break here. You can jet in, do all the tapas you like, and surf the urban beaches. They’re busy for sure, but also pretty decent on thier day. The alterantive is to stay in Santander and do a surf lesson in Somo or something to spice up the week.
Playa de Somo – Around 40 minutes away (via Santander or the ferry), Somo and Loredo offer long beaches with multiple peaks, perfect for all levels. More surf schools, more mellow options. It’s probably more popular though; one of the most popular in the region in fact.

When to surf in Suances?

Rights working on the cliffs of Suances in Spain

The autumn is the best time to surf in Suances.

Winter – Big swell season. Los Locos roars to life with heavy overhead surf, powerful rips, and challenging paddle outs a lot of the time. You’ll need solid winter gear and strong paddling fitness, but the reward is uncrowded, world‑class beach break waves. La Concha becomes a handy fallback when it’s too wild.
Spring – Still plenty of swell, with a mix of fun, clean days and stormy spells. Crowds remain light until Easter most years, and water temps slowly creep up. A good time for intermediates to get consistent practice without the summer squeeze. I like this time of year because it’s generally lovely around northern Spain, though the surf does remain slightly unpredictable – can be small, can be HUGE.
Summer – Smallest and mellowest surf. Los Locos still gets rideable days, especially for longboarding, and La Concha can just simply turn off for the whole season. The town buzzes with nightlife and beach life, but you’ll need to temper performance expectations. Or bring a log.
Autumn – This is the sweet spot. Long‑period NW swells arrive regularly from around early Sept, winds are light in the mornings, and water temps are still comfortable. Los Locos is at its yearly best, with clean peaks and consistent size. Crowds thin after summer, making for prime conditions. Oh, and the nearby mountains are at thier finest for hiking.

Where to stay for surfing in Suances?

Suances is a bit of a incubator for more off-radar Spanish surf camps these days. I’ve watched as a few have set up in the last couple of years, quietly impressed with thier beginner offering and good identity – this part of Spain does rustic, eco camps like nowhere else in Europe.

There are also some fantastic self-catering stays that put you literally on the doorstep of Playa de los Locos…

Bio Surf Camp – Hidden up the river valley from the main beaches of Suances, Bio Surf Camp is a super-chill place that gives a real hit of nature. You’ll wake to chickens roaming the garden, sleep in yurts or eco cabins, and do a full 7-day surf course. Prices start at around $420 per person.
Hotel Mar Azul & Surf – A verrrry cool hotel that has a hint of Wes Anderson to it. 10 mins walking to the waves of Locos, pool, good suites.
Suances Accesso 2 Playas Locos y Concha Vistas – There’s room for six, awesome terraces, and parking on site at this self-catering pad. It’s walking access to the surf, too. The best option for groups looking to surf together.
Hotel El Castillo de Los Locos – This is where I’d stay if I was feeling flush. It’s a great hotel right over Los Locos beach. It’s a clifftop castle with spectacular views and walking access to the town’s best surf spot.

How to get to Suances?

Suances sits about 30 minutes west of Santander in the Cantabria region.

By air – The nearest airport is Santander Airport (SDR), with flights that come in from major Spanish cities, the UK, and parts of Europe.
By car – From Santander, take the A‑67 towards Torrelavega, then follow the CA‑132 into Suances. It’s an easy drive and I’ve not seen traffic on the route really ever.
By ferry – Brittany Ferries connects Portsmouth and Plymouth with Santander, ideal if you’re bringing your own board and gear. There are 2 crossings each week – not as frequent as for getting to France.

You don’t strictly need a car if you’re staying in Suances and planning on sticking to Los Locos or La Concha. But a vehicle massively opens up your options, letting you chase swell and shelter (if it’s windy) up and down the coast – there’s A LOT to get through and conditions being what they are in Cantabria (AKA unpredictable), I always get a hire.

Use Discover Cars to search for hire cars – I find them the cheapest in Europe right now.