The Ultimate Guide to Vigo Surfing

Vigo is a town of two sides. One: A mechanized, modern port that groans to the sound of colossal cargo ships and industry. Two: An enchanting Spanish coastal town with a rich fishing heritage and charming core.

Oh yea, and it’s plonked on the south side of the Rías Baixas, a stunning run of Galician coastline that joins Portugal’s Costa Verde to its south and the Bay of Biscay to its north. Is there surf here? Hell yea, there’s surf here.

There are certainly points and beaches that DON’T work at all here. That’s mainly thanks to the swell shadow cast by the Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park (which you should visit if you get a chance by the way – they are beautiful!).

However, there’s plenty that does work, and it works in fine style, sucking up any and all W swell to produce everything from harbor-wall wedges to fun beach breaks for starters.

Basing yourself in Vigo can work. The shore to the south of the city runs for about seven miles away from the huge port and out to the Monteferro headland, where one of Galicia’s – and Spain’s – best all-level beach breaks is on offer on Patos Beach.

That said, a car and a willingness to explore is always a gift in Galicia. Do that and you can pop into Vigo for a day or two to feel the buzz but focus your efforts on the surrounding sands, some more rugged point breaks to the south, and even the heartland of west Galician surfing around Sanxenxo and Lanzada to the north.

A good way to split Vigo is north and south.

Breaks to the south of town are the ones more traditionally associated with Vigo itself. They begin almost in the city, right in the port area (though we’d NEVER surf there if we’re being honest; pollution).

Going north, you will need to drive some to come to the second inlet of the Rías Baixas. It takes 30-40 minutes but the reward will be slightly prettier beaches (in our opinion) and ever so slightly more consistent surf.

• A Lanzada – Very long beach that’s considered one of the finest all-level breaks in Galicia. During the summer, surf camps flock this way to enjoy chest-high sets that work even when there’s only small swells filtering through the W channel in the Atlantic. South end of the bay is best for learners. North end has a bit more punch.
• Montalvo – Right beside the chic surf town of Sanxenxo, this one has the potential to throw out tubular shore breaks that do mini impressions of Supertubos. It’s good fun when it works, which is usually fall to spring. Summers can be flat as a pancake.
• Cabo Home – 30 minutes’ drive down the headland north and west of Vigo is a remote break known as Cabo Home. It’s fickle as can be, but on full tides and 5+feet and long periods, there can be long lines that peel from an A-frame peak and not another soul to be seen.

The eight miles of coastline between the center of Vigo and the beach town of Patos is probably where you’re going to be focussing your attention the most.

To be honest, it’s hardly the Oahu North Shore. However, Patos itself is excellent quality – one of the best surf spots in the country, in fact. And there are some more secret points in between…

• Samil – Playa de Samil is one of the main beaches of Vigo proper. It’s sorta within the city, just past the port, and reachable on public transport. Summer is usually still like a lake here, and it’s mainly for sunbathing. Winter can bring small sets, but the shelter cast by the Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park means it’s never big. Decent longboard/grom wave in December or Jan.
• La Buraca – A high-tide spot that breaks on the reefs just past the end of Samil Beach, La Buraca is a good wave actually. That’s a bit surprising because you’d think that the islands kill the swell, but there must be a well-placed channel for winter NW to push through and work. It’s a rocky bottom and requires quite a long paddle, so only for experienced surfers. A-frame peak where the lefts work best and rights funnel you straight into the rocks.
• Playa de los Molinos – No waves for surfers but a dumpy shorebreak that the boogie crowd adore when it starts throwing them about. Beautiful beach with fantastic views of the Cies Islands.

Patos deserves its own section here because it’s where 90% of beginner surfers in Vigo will aim when there’s decent swell in. Don’t worry – that doesn’t mean the spot will be overly crowded. That is to say, there’s always a crowd but Patos Beach clocks up 1.5km in length, so there’s plenty of space for all.

Surf lessons and schools will always be about in the main season (May-August) plying their trade. They usually hover around the small, well-protected shorebreaks towards the western end of the bay, which is a perfect place to start surfing if you ask us.

For more advanced surfers, there are some key spots that flank the bay. They include two decent reef breaks at both ends of the beach – a right and a left (the first called Praia de Prado at the north end and the left called Monteferro at the far southwestern end).

Localism is an issue, but only on the reefs – if you’re learning it should be totally fine, unless someone decides to be a martyr.

Tempted by Patos? If so then it might be worth basing yourself there. Check out our complete guide for more info.

Honestly? We’d stay outside of the city, closer to Patos. That way, you can either walk to the beach and skip the horrendous parking situation (the lots are packed in the summer) and just visit Vigo (either by car or bus) whenever you want your taste of local culture.

• Patos Beach II – Cies – This charming chalet is located at the north end of Patos Beach (which has two reef breaks and loads of beach breaks). The highlight has to be that deck with stunning vistas of the Atlantic Isalnds.
• A Casiña do Antonio – A gorgeous 2-bedroom house that’s perfect for groups of friends or a family, complete with a garden and BBQ. It’s not ON the beach but is just on the headland above, close to the best left in Patos.

The best time to surf in Vigo is in the fall or spring. Total beginners might want to consider the summer, but there’s always a risk it will be flat at that time of year.

Summers can be flat in Vigo, and the rest of the Rías Baixas for that matter. However, sporadic May-August swells are always best for beginners and learners, which the beaches – such as Patos – are well set up for.

If you’re a more advanced surfer then don’t come in the summer when the crowds of vacationers do. Come in the fall, or in the spring. We think they are the key moments when decent NW-W swells hits this part of Spain, and the onshores aren’t too wild to mess things up.