Bundoran, Donegal, Ireland
The bitter Atlantic coast is surprisingly one of the best surf destinations in the world, and first in Europe’s. Peak season begins in September and ends in April, the water is cold throughout the year but it has less swell in summer. You would need a winter wetsuit, hat, gloves and booties to protect yourself from the fierce winds and bitter rain as these are common all year round. The reef break is popular all year round, with the milder summer often crowded. The average wave size in Bundoran is ten feet, but this can be far exceeded in the right conditions and breaks are fairly consistent. This town has many surf schools and also has kayaking opportunities.
Supertubos, Peniche, Portugal
With its combination of killer waves, offshore winds, sandy breaks and sunny skies, it’s among Europe’s best surf destinations. The clue is in the name, superturbos! It draws famous surfers from all around the world to get the adrenaline from that infamous Atlantic swell. One of the benefits from Portugal is its warmer climate, compared to the majority of Europe. Even though the water is warmer here, in the winter it does produce some fierce and stingy winds. It is not considered the most attractive destination in the Peniche, perhaps because Portugal can be so outstandingly beautiful. Long heavy tubes are practically guaranteed at this beach break, although they can sometimes be inconsistent. There are plenty of nearby breaks which are equally as good but with rides a little shorter. The coastal views might be more amazing, but you are still looking into that same great ocean.
Les Cavaliers, Anglet, France
“Les Cavaliers” roughly translate from the French to mean “The Riders”. They are the wave riders of a killer barrelled wave between two rocky girdles. March to November would be the best season to surf in this region. Water temperatures are comfortable and the weather is mild but you will still need a full body wetsuit. The break is usually crowded and locals can be very possessive over their precious waves. That doesn’t mean there aren’t enough for everyone though with waves being pretty consistent. Stay away from the rocks and you’ll be pretty safe, as the seabed is very sandy. With the right wind conditions the wave heights will exceed past its normality height (6ft). Anglet, is in the Basque region of France, and is on the border with Spanish Basque country. See the infusion of three different cultures in the area; French, Spanish and Basque. The unique culture makes it one of Europe’s best surf destinations. The area is scenically beautiful and also a popular golfing destination.
The Bubble, Fuerteventura, Canary Islands
The Bubble is one of Europe’s best surf destinations because of a combination of great surf and the warmest weather than any other destination. Many surfers travelling from surf havens across the world learned the art in tropical waters with hot climates. The European cold water and weather deters them, but not Fuerteventura. The Canary Islands are located close to the Equator off the coast of Morocco Africa. Perched in the roaring Atlantic, the small islands are offered great surf from the mighty ocean at all angles. Surfers have a greater chance of catching the expert right handed tube, if they surf between October to march; this is the best sure season at the bubble. The white sandy beaches are part man made; The sand has been reclaimed from the sea bed. The Islands are made of Volcanic Ash (there is still active volcanic activity in the area). If you head away from the tourist areas, the beaches have natural black sand.
