Somo Beach / Cantabria / Spain

Situated 20 minutes east and just round the bay from the busy port of Santander, lies Somo Beach. This is a vast sprawling beach that is very popular with surfers and kite surfers of all levels and abilities. It does get pretty packed with tourists during the summer, however because of the size of the beach it is possible to accommodate everyone. There is normally an unwritten rule here whereby, the bathers and beach goers stay in the center of the beach, whereas the kite surfers are to the left and the surfers to the right. There is no real season as such but the best times to surf are April to September where you can pick up some really nice thermal winds.

This beach is very long, very wide and very large. It is made up of lovely soft white sand and contains no hazards. This means that it is completely safe for beginners. To get here you need to drive eastwards around the bay from Santander (approximately 20 minutes) Following the signs for Somo and the beach.

The best directions for surfing here are northeast and northwest and these are also the predominant directions. Thermal winds can occur during the summer between the hours of 2-4pm and come at you from the northeast. During the winter the winds become more gusty and frontal. The water quality is crystal clear and conditions are there are waves most of the time. If the wind is strong enough and in the right direction, it is possible to pick up bigger waves of up to 3 meters in length. The water temperature remains cool and falls somewhere between 10-16 degrees depending upon the time of year. A 5 mm wetsuit is advisable during the winter months.

This place is very well set up for watersport enthusiasts and has everything you need close by such as accommodation, surf shop and rental facilities, eating establishments and shower and toilet facilities. There is also plenty of parking. If you want to et your hair down and experience some nightlife then Santander city center is the place to be.

There really isn't too much to worry about here provided that you stick to your areas. Just be vigilant for the odd stray swimmer and bather in the water during the summer months.