Written by Jeppe – surf blogger and former coastal lifeguard on the Danish west coast for 5 years. More about Jeppe.
Winter doesn’t have to mean a break from surfing. You have two options: fly south to warm water and surf in a thin wetsuit – or pull on the thick neoprene and surf the North Sea at its most powerful. This guide covers both.
Option 1: Surf in warm water this winter
From November to March, these four destinations give you real waves, sunshine and water warm enough for a thin wetsuit – all within a few hours’ flight of Northern Europe.
| Destination | Water in winter | Wetsuit | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canary Islands | approx. 18–19 °C | 3/2 mm | All levels |
| Madeira | approx. 18 °C | 3/2 mm | Experienced surfers |
| Morocco (Taghazout) | approx. 17–19 °C | 3/2 mm | Beginners to intermediates |
| Cape Verde | approx. 21–23 °C | Shorty or boardshorts | Intermediates and up |
Canary Islands – the easy winter escape
The Canaries are the most popular winter surf destination for Northern Europeans, and for good reason: plenty of flights, consistent Atlantic swell from October to March and spots for every level. Fuerteventura and Lanzarote (Famara) work well for beginners and improvers, while the reefs offer more power for experienced surfers.
👉 Read the full Canary Islands surf guide.
Madeira – powerful waves and dramatic nature
Madeira is the choice for experienced surfers who want powerful reef and point breaks in a wild volcanic landscape. Winter brings the biggest swells, and the water stays around 18 °C. Not a place to learn – but unforgettable if you can handle it.
👉 Read the full Madeira surf guide.
Morocco (Taghazout) – long right-handers on a budget
Taghazout near Agadir is famous for long right-hand point breaks, lots of sunshine and prices well below Southern Europe. The season runs from October to April, and there are good options for both beginners and intermediates.
👉 Read the full Taghazout surf guide.
Cape Verde – the warmest of them all
Cape Verde is the furthest south and has the warmest water – often a shorty or boardshorts is enough. The islands of Sal and Boa Vista get winter swell, and the lineups are far less crowded than in Europe. Best for intermediate surfers and up.
👉 Read the full Cape Verde surf guide.
👉 Compare even more options in our warm-water surf guide.
Option 2: Hardcore winter surfing in Cold Hawaii
For the hardcore surfers, winter in Northern Europe is not the off-season – it’s the best season. In Cold Hawaii (Klitmøller) on the Danish west coast, the autumn and winter storms bring the most powerful and consistent waves of the year, and the lineups are almost empty. The water is cold – often around 2–5 °C – but with the right equipment, surfing is absolutely possible.
The right equipment for winter surfing
As a minimum, you need:
- A thick wetsuit with a hood – typically 5/4 mm or 6/5 mm for Danish winter water
- A neoprene vest with a hood to wear underneath the wetsuit for an extra layer of warmth
- Neoprene gloves – cold hands are the first thing that ends a winter session
- Neoprene boots to keep your feet warm and protect them on the way in and out
Extra tip: It can also be nice to wear ski underwear underneath the wetsuit for extra warmth. Choose a thin synthetic or wool layer rather than cotton, and make sure the wetsuit still fits snugly.
Keep moving. Movement is one of the best ways to stay warm. Paddle, keep your body active between sets, and don’t sit still in the lineup for too long.
Month by month: where to surf from November to March
Conditions shift through the winter. This is a rough guide to where each month typically works best – the ocean doesn’t follow a calendar, so always check the forecast before you book.
- November: The autumn storms are in full swing in Cold Hawaii – a great month for hardcore surfers before the water gets really cold. Down south, the season starts in Taghazout and the Canaries.
- December: Taghazout is at its best, with consistent swell on the long right-hand points and pleasant sunny days. A good pick for a Christmas or New Year surf trip.
- January: The biggest swells of the year reach the Canaries and Madeira. Experienced surfers head for Madeira’s reefs, while beginners find sheltered spots on Fuerteventura and Lanzarote.
- February: The coldest water of the year in Denmark, so this is the month to escape. Cape Verde has the warmest water, and the Canaries are still reliable.
- March: The Canaries and Taghazout still deliver, often with fewer people in the water. In Cold Hawaii the storms ease, but the water is still very cold.
Getting there and what it costs
Flight times are typical direct flights from Copenhagen or Northern Germany. The budget is a rough estimate for one person for a week on a budget-to-mid-range trip, including flights, accommodation and food. Prices vary a lot with the time of booking and the season, so treat them as a starting point.
| Destination | Flight time | Rough budget per week |
|---|---|---|
| Canary Islands | approx. 4.5–5.5 hours, many direct flights in winter | approx. €800–1,300 |
| Madeira | approx. 4.5–5 hours, often with a stop in Lisbon | approx. €900–1,400 |
| Morocco (Taghazout) | approx. 4.5–5 hours to Agadir, direct from some airports | approx. €600–1,100 |
| Cape Verde | approx. 6–7 hours, often with winter charter flights | approx. €1,000–1,600 |
| Cold Hawaii | No flight – drive from Copenhagen (approx. 4.5 hours) or Hamburg (approx. 5 hours) | approx. €300–600 plus winter gear |
Tip: Morocco is usually the cheapest warm option once you’re there, while Cape Verde costs the most because of the longer flights. For Cold Hawaii, the winter gear is the big investment – but you only buy it once.
Safety: cold water can be dangerous
As a former lifeguard, I’ll be direct: surfing and swimming in cold water can be very dangerous. There are two main risks you need to know about.
Cold water shock. In the first minutes in cold water, your body reacts with an involuntary gasp, rapid breathing and a racing heart. If your head goes under at that moment, you can inhale water – and that can lead to drowning long before you even feel cold. Go into the water gradually, splash water on your face first, and give your breathing time to settle before you paddle out.
Hypothermia. Over time in cold water, your body temperature drops. Warning signs are heavy shivering, numb or clumsy hands, slow thinking and confusion. If you notice them, get out of the water straight away and get warm.
Basic rules for winter surfing:
- Never surf alone – and tell someone on land when you expect to be back
- Keep sessions shorter than in summer and get out before you get too cold
- Check the forecast – winter storms can turn conditions quickly
- Have warm clothes and a hot drink ready on the beach
👉 Read our 5 essential surf safety rules.
FAQ – winter surfing
Can you surf in Denmark in winter?
Yes. With a thick hooded wetsuit, gloves and boots, you can surf all winter – and Cold Hawaii often has its best waves from October to March. It’s best suited to experienced surfers who know the conditions.
How cold is the North Sea in winter?
Typically around 2–5 °C from December to March, with February and March usually the coldest months.
Which wetsuit do I need for winter surfing?
In Denmark: a 5/4 or 6/5 mm hooded wetsuit, ideally with a hooded neoprene vest underneath, plus gloves and boots. For the Canaries, Madeira and Morocco, a 3/2 mm wetsuit is usually enough, and in Cape Verde a shorty or boardshorts.
How do you change after a cold session?
Get out of the wind, use a changing poncho, and pour warm water from a bottle or thermos over your hands and feet before you take the wetsuit off. Change quickly, and have warm clothes, a hat and a hot drink ready in the car.
Is winter surfing dangerous?
It can be. Cold water shock and hypothermia are real risks, and winter storms can change conditions quickly. Never surf alone, keep your sessions short, and get out before you get too cold.
Where is the warmest surf water in winter close to Europe?
Cape Verde, with water around 21–23 °C. The Canaries, Madeira and Morocco follow with around 17–19 °C.
Warm water or Cold Hawaii?
If you’re a beginner or just want sun and an easy session, go south – the Canaries or Morocco are the safest bets. If you’re an experienced surfer who loves empty lineups and powerful waves, winter in Cold Hawaii is a unique experience – as long as you respect the cold.
👉 Not sure where to go? Try our surf destination calculator 🌊