Suances is a town in Cantabria located on the western coast of the region. It is one of the most famous surfing spots due to the large number of breaks found within a small area. If you’ve read our article on “Which Beach to Choose When You’re Starting to Surf” and are curious about surfing in Suances, this article is highly recommended for you.
The Beaches of Suances and Their Many Surf Breaks
In Suances and its surroundings, there are numerous distinct surf breaks to enjoy a day of surfing. In this article, we’ll explore five of the main breaks in Suances. The beaches of Suances thus offer a varied, intense, and unique surfing experience. We will analyze each beach in Suances by looking at their characteristics, prevailing winds, ideal tide times, seabeds, surfer density, and pollution levels.
(A) Los Locos Beach in Suances
Los Locos Beach in Suances is a wide beach with fine sand, considered the premier spot for surfing in Suances. Since 2012, it has been designated as a European Surf Natural Reserve, making it one of the most recognized beaches in Suances within the surfing world. It is somewhat secluded, completely surrounded by cliffs that give it a unique natural landscape. Los Locos Beach stretches nearly 400 meters in length.
Beneficial wind for Los Locos Beach: Northeast, East, Southeast, and South.
Due to its location and unique orientation, this beach is sheltered from the easterly wind. This makes the waves almost perfect, provided the seabed is in good condition. When the northeast wind blows, Los Locos Beach potentially has the best waves in Cantabria. The magic of the northeast wind is so well known that several pubs in Suances bear its name. Therefore, when the northeast wind blows, Los Locos Beach in Suances fills up with local surfers and others from the region.
Tide: Any tide level
Any tide level is good for Los Locos Beach, although during very strong tides, it is not recommended to surf at high tide. During the highest tides of the year, a large amount of water accumulates, and waves break almost right against the cliffs, making it very dangerous for all types of surfers. This doesn’t happen often and somewhat depends on the sand distribution on the seabed.
Seabed: Sand
There are no very strong currents that significantly change the seabed. However, slight changes can occur during strong tides and heavy surf seasons.
Surfer density: High
Los Locos Beach in Suances is one of the most recognized beaches for surfing. It is the first choice for local surfers and foreigners wanting to try Cantabria’s best waves. Therefore, on days with the best conditions, there are usually many people in the water.
Pollution: Clean
Although the tide sometimes brings debris lost from boats during strong tides, it is not a nuisance for surfing. Crystal-clear water can be enjoyed year-round.
In summary:
Los Locos Beach in Suances is a marvel—one of the best surfing beaches in the region. It can be divided into three very distinct zones:
- El Huerto: Located on the right side of the beach, this area usually has many right-hand waves. These waves are fairly flat, meaning not very hollow, but very long—perfect for making turns and maneuvers.
- La playa: This refers to the central part of the beach. Waves here break both ways, making it an ideal spot to catch many waves and enjoy an easy surf session. It’s the perfect place for Suances’ surf schools to hold their lessons.
- Sopico: Situated on the left side of the beach, Sopico often has very hollow left-hand waves depending on the seabed. This is where the most legendary surfers of the beach enjoy incredible tubes. A tube is one of the most challenging maneuvers to perform in surfing.
(B) La Playa de la Concha in Suances
La Playa de la Concha in Suances is the largest beach in the town, stretching over 1 kilometer in length. The most common wave direction, perpendicular to the coast, tends to affect this beach less. It is more sheltered from the waves and the northwest wind, making it a good option when the waves at Los Locos are too powerful and the “Galician” or west wind is blowing. It is one of the best options among the beaches of Suances, offering more space to surf. It is located next to the Suances promenade, at the lowest part of the town. Around the beach, you’ll find most of the town’s restaurants, bars, and pubs.
Beneficial wind for La Concha Beach: Northwest, Southwest, and South.
La Concha Beach is protected precisely from the winds that blow against Los Locos Beach. However, it is less sheltered from the west or “Galician” winds. These winds can cause the waves to be very disorganized, depending on the area of the beach where you are surfing.
Tide: Best while rising.
The best time to surf at La Concha Beach is when the tide is rising. This is due to the estuary located to the right of the beach, which produces different currents depending on whether the tide is rising or falling. The large amount of water needed by the estuary can create quite strong currents. When the tide is rising, there is a current toward the estuary, and when the tide is falling, the current flows toward the ocean. When the tide is falling, the current can be very dangerous, pulling you out to sea. In such cases, it’s important to stay calm and paddle toward the center of the beach, looking for the area with fewer currents.
Seabed: Sand
There are no strong currents that significantly change the seabed. However, slight changes can occur during strong tides and heavy surf seasons.
Surfer density: Some
This beach is less crowded than Los Locos, but during very good wave conditions, there can still be quite a few surfers.
Pollution: Slightly polluted
Most of the pollution on La Concha Beach comes from the water of the San Martín estuary. After heavy rainfall, large floods cause parts of the beach to turn brown due to the mud dragged by the estuary’s water. This usually happens in winter and autumn, although it can also occur during summer storms.
In summary:
La Concha Beach is one of the beaches in Suances that, although not as famous as Los Locos, offers great waves to surf. It is the best beach to learn to surf since the waves are less powerful than at Los Locos, there is more space, the seabed is sandy without rocks, and there are fewer surfers. That said, it’s important to be aware of the dangers of the currents and know how to handle them.
(C) Playa de la Tablía
La Tablía Beach in Suances is a small cove that requires the same conditions as Los Locos, but it’s a good option if the seabed at Los Locos isn’t arranged to produce the wave you want to surf. It is one of the most natural beaches in Suances, as you have to descend a large cliff to access it. La Tablía Beach is about 200 meters long and completely disappears at high tide.
Beneficial wind for La Tablía Beach: East, Southeast, and South.
Although it is adjacent, La Tablía Beach in Suances is not as protected from the wind as Los Locos. Depending on the tide, the cliff provides some shelter from the wind, but it’s best to surf on days with little wind.
Tide: Anytime except high tide.
The best time to surf at La Tablía Beach is near low tide. It is not recommended to go at high tide because the beach fills with water, the sand disappears, and the waves break against the cliff. It’s essential to check the tide charts before surfing at La Tablía.
Seabed: Sand
There are no strong currents that significantly change the seabed, but slight changes usually occur during strong tides and heavy surf. Closer to the shore, there are some rocks.
Surfer density: Medium
La Tablía is a small beach, so although there usually aren’t many surfers, it can get crowded.
Pollution: Clean
This beach has crystal-clear waters where you rarely find debris. It is one of the best spots for diving in the area.
In summary:
La Tablía Beach is a small beach to relax, surf, and enjoy nature. You must be very careful with the large number of rocks along the shore and the moss growing on them. This can make entering the water dangerous due to slipping. The beach offers some of the best waves in Suances; however, it is only surfable near low tide.
San Martin Bar / Estuary (D)
The Barra area, located in the San Martín estuary next to La Concha Beach, offers excellent waves. When the waves at Los Locos are too powerful or the beach is very crowded, the Barra becomes an option for those with good paddling skills who can access the peak and are able to navigate the walls and currents carefully.
Beneficial wind for surfing at the Barra in Suances: Northwest, Southwest, and South.
This is one of the most dangerous spots to surf in Suances when there is strong wind. This is because the wind and waves can push you against the wall. In this case, the wind is a key factor in deciding whether to surf at this spot.
Tide: Best at rising tide and high tide.
The best tide for surfing at the Barra is at high tide and the hours leading up to it. This is because the estuary experiences different currents depending on whether the tide is rising or falling. The large volume of water in the estuary can create very strong currents. When the tide is rising, the current flows into the estuary; when falling, the current reverses. Therefore, it’s best to surf when the tide is rising or at high tide. Depending on the wave conditions, you may surf closer to the estuary or the bar.
Seabed: Sand
The seabed at the Barra changes constantly due to estuary currents during high and low tides. Additionally, the estuary is sometimes dredged or sand is removed to allow boats to reach the port of Suances. This causes the waves to change over time.
Surfer density: Few
You may find some surfers, especially when the waves are good; however, most local surfers prefer Los Locos Beach. Keep in mind that this is a very small spot to surf.
Pollution: Slightly polluted
A river carries water from the areas it passes through, so it can sometimes bring a lot of dirt, logs, etc. Also, boats and fishermen operate in the area. If you go surfing in the estuary, it’s important not to disturb fishermen or boats and to be a respectful surfer!
In summary:
Surfing at the Barra in Suances offers the opportunity to enjoy good sessions when the waves at Los Locos are too big for your level. It’s important to be in good shape because you have to paddle quite a bit to reach the peak, and you must be very aware that the currents are strong and abundant. If you don’t surf regularly, you might get tired even before catching your first wave. Therefore, if you are a beginner or intermediate surfer, it’s better to choose another option from the list.
(E) Playa de los Caballos
Playa de los Caballos is one of the most dangerous beaches in Suances due to the large number of rocks it contains. However, it has very few surfers and swimmers, as it is located on the opposite side of the San Martín estuary. The beach is completely surrounded by high cliffs and belongs to the nearby municipality of Miengo. It stretches approximately 250 meters in length.
Beneficial wind for Playa de los Caballos: Northeast, East, Southeast, and South.
At Playa de los Caballos in Suances, the wind conditions are very similar to those at Los Locos. It is the least sheltered beach in Suances from the wind, but it has the best seabed conditions.
Tide: Low tide and rising.
The best time to surf at Playa de los Caballos is at low tide. This is important if you don’t know the beach well because you need to be aware of where the rocks are. As the tide rises toward high tide, the rocks become covered by water, making the beach somewhat dangerous.
Seabed: Sand and rocks.
There are no strong currents that significantly change the seabed, but slight variations occur during strong tides and heavy surf. The presence of many rocks on the seabed makes this beach more dangerous than others.
Surfer density: Few.
This is one of the beaches with the lowest number of surfers in the area. This is due to its particular seabed conditions, making it suitable only for local surfers or those surfing at low tide.
Pollution: Clean.
This is a clean beach with crystal-clear waters.
In summary:
Playa de los Caballos is located on the other side of the estuary, so it takes about 30 minutes to reach by car from Suances. However, you can paddle across the estuary with your board—taking the proper precautions—and reach it on foot in less than 10 minutes, as well as check the conditions from La Concha Beach. Playa de los Caballos is a spot where, if you know the rocks on the seabed, you can surf some excellent waves.
These are the beaches of Suances, each with different orientations and characteristics. With this, we conclude the article, hoping it is useful and that wherever you go, you catch great waves! If you want more information, don’t hesitate to contact us.
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