From Ayamonte to Matalascañas, Huelva has 120 kilometres of coastline including some of the most spectacular beaches on the Peninsula. These beaches offer more than just sunbathing opportunities – places such as Mazagón, Punta Umbría and Isla Canela are gaining popularity as surf spots in Huelva.
Huelva often ends up in the shadow of internationally famous surf destinations, such as the beaches of Sagres in Portugal and Tarifa in Cádiz, which is why it hasn’t received as much attention from the fans of this water sport. But the waves of Huelva can offer surfers enjoyable and unforgettable experiences.
This guide will tell you about the best beaches for surfing in Huelva and what to take into account when choosing your destination. It will also point out the best places in Huelva to rent your gear, and provide advice on courses and instructors if you want to learn to surf or just improve your skills. Finally, it will tell you about the best places for other wind and wave sports, such as kitesurfing and paddle surfing, on the coast of Huelva.
Best beaches for surfing in Huelva
Despite their proximity to the internationally renowned surf destinations of southern Portugal and the coast of Cádiz, the best surf spots in Huelva have traditionally passed under the radar. The most likely reason is because summer is not the best surfing season in Huelva.
The best waves hit Huelva between October and May. That doesn’t mean that you can’t find good waves in the summer, but they are simply not as strong as in other places. In any case, this guide will give you some tips regarding the best beaches for surfing in Huelva and the best time for visiting them.
Mazagón: a surfing gem in Huelva
The most famous surfing spot in Huelva is on the beach of Mazagón, just 20 kilometers from Huelva capital. This immense and practically virgin beach is surrounded by an exceptional natural environment, Doñana National Park, as well as beautiful dunes and lush pine forests.
The best surfing spot is just where the village of Mazagón ends. Here the waves are generated by westerly wind. The seabed is sand, meaning that wave frequency is usually low, although there can be good tubular peaks in both right and left waves. The best time to surf here is in winter, and some say that with good conditions, riding waves in Huelva can be an unforgettable experience.
Punta Umbría
Near Mazagón lies the famous beach of Punta Umbría, the entire stretch of which has become an important surfing spot. Like with Mazagón, the best time to ride the waves of Punta Umbría is in the winter with a westerly wind.
As the Punta Umbría beach is much more touristy than Mazagón, there are many surf shops in the area where you can rent equipment and hire teachers. There are also good beach restaurants and bars with a great atmosphere.
Isla Cristina
This island is situated in the western coastal region of Huelva. When there is an easterly wind, it becomes a popular surfing spot for locals. Like in other parts of the coast, the best time to surf in Isla Cristina is in the autumn and winter.
With these two ingredients (easterly wind and winter), waves of up to one metre may appear, with variable peaks, and which sometimes turn into tubes.
Punta del Moral
Another island in the western coastal region of Huelva is Isla Canela, an urban area that belongs to the municipality of Ayamonte. Isla Canela is home to the surfing spot Punta del Moral. Like in Isla Cristina, the best time to get good waves in Punta del Moral is when there is an easterly wind.
Sometimes in the winter, when the conditions are perfect, you can enjoy epic waves in this spot.
Surfing schools in Huelva
Huelva has many surf schools that can help you learn this enjoyable sport, improve your technique and rent surf gear. Here are a few of the most popular:
Suroeste Surf (Sector N, Matalascañas) is located in the Matalascañas area, with a surfing school on the beach of Mazagón.
Nalú (Playa de las Canaletas, Punta Umbría) is located on the beach of Punta Umbría and it offers several different water sports (surfing, SUP, kitesurfing, windsurfing…).
Flecha Extreme is located in the urban area of Nuevo Portil (Urbanización Portil Ca-C 1) and it provides many types of wind and water sports classes. It also offers an affordable two-hour course for beginners. In the summer, you can enrol in one of the school’s Surf Camps.
Kanela Sailing School (Paseo de los Gavilanes, Isla Canela) offers several types of surfing classes on the beaches of Isla Canela and Punta del Moral. Its wide selection of courses includes a beginner’s course that normally consists of five two-hour lessons, where you can learn the basics of this fun sport.
Paddle surfing and kitesurfing in Huelva
In addition to surfing, many other wind and water sports have become increasingly widespread in Huelva. Kitesurfing, for example, is highly popular in the area. The main kitesurfing spots can be found in Isla Canela, Punta Umbría and El Portil. Located between Punta Umbria and El Rompido, El Portil has calm waters, as it is sheltered from the waves of the open sea, which makes it an ideal spot for beginners of kitesurfing.
Paddle surfing has also become increasingly popular in Huelva. In fact, the province hosts some of the most important competitions in Spain in this new sport, such as the Discover Huelva SUP Festival in Isla Cristina. The coast of Huelva is perfect for paddle surfing, especially in the summer, and it attracts more and more followers each year.
These surfing schools that operate on the beaches of Huelva offer both paddle surfing and kitesurfing equipment hire and lessons.
