Sopelana 81.2
#1763 of 5753 surf spots in the world · 🇪🇸 Spain · Bizkaia · near Bilbao
Very consistent, no off season.
Works all yearIntermediate
Surf score81.2 /100
Surfable days89% of the year
Clean days30% groundswell + friendly wind
Groundswell48% period 11 s+
Typical size1.3 m 4.2 ft median
Water17°C a 3/2 wetsuit
Best time to surf Sopelana
The best time to surf Sopelana is February, March, December. The season runs Feb to Mar. In February the water sits around 12°C, so pack a 5/4 with boots and hood, and the typical wave is 2.1 m. The nearest airport is BIO (12 km) and the nearest town is Bilbao (16 km).
| Month | Surfable | Clean | Size | Water | Suit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 90% | 26% | 1.7 m | 13°C | 4/3 |
| Feb | 99% | 54% | 2.1 m | 12°C | 5/4 |
| Mar | 95% | 40% | 1.8 m | 13°C | 5/4 |
| Apr | 89% | 35% | 1.2 m | 14°C | 4/3 |
| May | 88% | 21% | 1.1 m | 16°C | 3/2 |
| Jun | 85% | 14% | 0.9 m | 20°C | 2mm |
| Jul | 76% | 7% | 0.8 m | 23°C | vest |
| Aug | 85% | 10% | 0.9 m | 23°C | vest |
| Sep | 89% | 26% | 1.1 m | 21°C | 2mm |
| Oct | 93% | 36% | 1.4 m | 19°C | 3/2 |
| Nov | 95% | 18% | 1.9 m | 17°C | 3/2 |
| Dec | 86% | 42% | 1.8 m | 15°C | 4/3 |
Why 81.2
Seven parts, each normalised 0 to 1 and weighted; the sum is scaled so the best spot in the world is 100.
Consistency 26%
26.0
Clean days 24%
17.5
Groundswell 12%
9.6
Season spread 10%
10.0
Wave size 8%
3.3
Water comfort 10%
2.9
Access 10%
9.8
The detail
Faces 320° with 33% open water around it. Friendly morning wind 61% of days. Mean peak period 11.0 s. Days over 3 m: 7%. Mellow days (0.4 to 1.2 m): 44%. Months that work: 12 of 12. Coordinates 43.389, -2.995 (OpenStreetMap).
Spots nearby
El Sitio🇪🇸 Spain · score 81.3Meniakos🇪🇸 Spain · score 81.3Playa Salvaje🇪🇸 Spain · score 80.4Aizkorri🇪🇸 Spain · score 79.9
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