When people think of surfing, it’s often exotic and far-flung locations that come to mind. Hawaii, Australia, Indonesia with their white sand beaches, turquoise waters, and awesome waves are just some of the places you might have on your list. However, have you ever thought of Scandinavia? You might be surprised by what this part of Northern Europe has to offer! Read more about the top surf spots in Scandinavia.
In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the top surf spots in Scandinavia. Hopefully, it’ll make it easier to plan your trip to this beautiful part of the world. Just remember to pack your wetsuit! Let’s check them out.
Norway
Norway has a thriving surfing scene, and there’s probably more variation than anywhere else in the world here. From the wild winds of the North Sea to cliff flanked beaches, to Arctic surfing under the midnight sun, you’re sure to be surprised.
Related: Exotic Surfing Paradise in Norway
Hoddevik
When you think of a white sand beach and azure waters, you definitely won’t be thinking of the west coast of Norway. Isn’t that all fjords and cliffs? Well, yes, but sometimes you get a little slice of paradise between those cliffs. Located on the Stadlandet Peninsula, you can have year-round surfing here, although you will have to contend with rain, snow, and hail at times! Hoddevik boasts a couple of surf camps so it’s a great place for beginners to learn their craft. However, there are only 15 – 25 permanent residents so don’t expect wild nightlife and loads to do in the evenings. That peace and quiet are what many people cite as their reason to come back though!
Jæren
Just a stone’s throw from the port of Stavanger in southern Norway, you have the Jaeren coastline. With winds and waves buffeting the coast from the North Sea, there is a range of surfing spots that suit everyone from beginners to advanced surfers. Sele point, Borestrand, and Solastrand are great options for those who are new to the sport – you could even try your first steps in surf SUP here – the water is calm enough to get the basics of stand up paddle boarding before you hit the waves!
Related: Extreme Surfing in Norway
Lofoten Islands
If there is a surfing destination further north than the Lofoten Islands, we’d love to hear about them. Until then, they’ll just have to do it. Not for the faint-hearted, the waters here are freezing cold and you’ll need a wetsuit. However, you can surf year-round and you’re more likely to get company from seals, porpoises or eagles than other surfers. If all of this isn’t enough to convince you, perhaps being able to surf 24/7 in the summer’s midnight sun will?
Related: Surfing in Norway
Denmark
Already popular with Scandinavian surfers, Denmark is increasingly attracting surfers from wider Europe and the world. Thy on Denmark’s northwestern Jylland Coast is where you’ll find most of the country’s surf spots. Here are two of the best.
Agger
One of the best surf spots on the coast known as ‘Cold Hawaii’, Agger has a number of beaches which are divided up by piers. The big pier is one of the most popular surf spots, and there are a lot of big waves that come when there is a south wind. The Agger Channel is another spot where the breaks are good, but this is better suited to intermediate and expert surfers.
If you want to combine surfing with music, come during the annual “Heavy Agger” metal music festival. It usually takes place around the end of May.
Klitmoller
Possibly the best-known surf spot in Denmark, this place is known as Klitten by the locals. With three main spots, the Reef, the Bay, and Bunkers are easy to find from the town itself. Kiltmoller is the prettiest part, and it’s better suited to intermediate and advanced surfers. There are lots of surf clubs in the area, so you might be able to tackle this after a few days at The Reef and The Bay! Many top surf competitions and the Wind Surfing World Cup take place in Klitmoller.
Sweden
With more islands than any other country in the world, it makes sense that there’s surfing in Sweden. The best season for surfing off the Stockholm Archipelago is also the coldest, so you’ll have to be brave to try it!
Torostenstrand
Toro Beach in the Stockholm Archipelago is the best place to surf in Sweden and hosts several national championships. The pebbled beach has a rocky reef offshore, and that means big swells! It’s no secret, and you’re likely to see more than 50 surfers here on most days.
Varberg
With three main spots, Varberg and Toro are often in competition for the title of Sweden’s surf capital. Varberg was originally a fishing village, but now its black waters attract not only surfers, but stand up paddleboarders too. Varberg is one of the few places in the world where you still see surfers out when it’s – 15 degrees outside and there’s snow covering the pretty little town!
Top Surf Spots in Scandinavia
So, now you know where to surf in Scandinavia…
It’s a good time to book your trip. Whether it’s Norway’s fjords, the flatlands of Denmark, or the stunning archipelago off Stockholm, there’s a place to surf in Scandinavia for you. For more travel tips and news from this part of the world, check out The Daily Scandinavian.
Top Surf Spots in Scandinavia, written exclusively for Daily Scandinavian by Daniel Hall. Daniel is a travel writer, blogger, and English teacher interested in learning new languages and cultures and trying a cooking class everywhere he goes! He also enjoys reading, writing, playing and watching football, and comedy.
Feature image (on top) © Visit Norway