Beach break · Vizcaya · Beginner → Advanced
Forecast for Tuesday 1 September
Intermediate : Looking good — aim for 7h. — Best window: 7h–9h
Today's score by level (at the day's best, out of 100)
Bilbao's urban surf beach — the most consistent in the Spanish Basque Country. Multiple peaks firing almost year-round, though highly competitive. Well-equipped beach with surf schools, surf shops, lifeguards, bars and stores nearby. Overcrowded in summer.
Autumn and winter deliver the best conditions, with long powerful swells from the north.
Good level required. You can stand, paddle and read a peak. When it fires, better know what you're doing.
Easy beach access, parking usually nearby. Ask locally about seasonal currents.
Wear an appropriate wetsuit. Scout the currents before you paddle out. Respect the locals and right-of-way. Check weather and tides.
Sopelana usually works best around mid-tide. The tide shapes the sandbanks and the depth over the reef, so check the day's tide times before your session.
Sopelana is rather recommended for intermediate surfers. If you're a beginner, prefer a surf school, a small swell and a suitable tide, or look for a more sheltered nearby spot.
The ideal wind at Sopelana comes broadly from South: it's offshore, which helps shape and hold the waves. A strong onshore wind generally degrades conditions.
Around Sopelana, you can also check conditions at Meñakoz, La Salvaje, Punta Galea. Compare the scores, wind and swell direction before choosing where to surf.