Arnao

Arnao (Castrillón) · Asturias · Spain

Today’s forecast: the current surf forecast for Arnao (wave height, swell, wind, tide and a 0–10 rating for every hour of the next 16 days) are only shown on SurfCams. They change every hour, so this text doesn’t contain them. To check today’s surf, open https://surf-cams.com/spot/arnao.

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Arnao is a small beach of sand, cobbles and rock just west of Salinas, below the headframe of the old Arnao mine. Peaks break right and left on a decent north-west swell. Their quality depends on the sandbanks: when the banks are set, the peaks are good. On those days it suits intermediate to advanced surfers, and a strong local crowd surfs it.

Level
Intermediate
Break
Beach break, sand and rock
Waves
Lefts and rights
Crowd
Busy
Season
autumn, winter, spring
Boards
A shortboard or fish.

When it works

✓ A decent north-west swell at mid to high tide with a south or south-east wind.

When it doesn't

✕ Small swells, low tide, which exposes the rock, and onshore westerly wind, which wrecks it.

Watch out for

  • rocks
  • crowds

Best months

January, February, March, October, November, December

Local tips

Check it at mid to high tide when the banks are set. Watch out for the rocky zones. Expect locals to fill the water on good days.

Getting there

There is parking with easy access, toilets, showers and summer lifeguards. There are no permanent services on the sand itself.

History

The Arnao mine above the beach was the first underground coal mine in Asturias. Its tunnels ran under the sea. It is now a museum.

Travel notes

How often it works
Waves arrive most of the year, but it needs a decent north-west swell to come alive. Autumn and winter are the most reliable seasons, and how good it gets depends on where the sand has settled.
Crowd and vibe
Usually 10 to 20 surfers, with a strong local group that turns up as soon as it is good. The mood is respectful if you wait your turn and follow the usual rules.
Camping and vans
Camping Las Gaviotas is on the seafront at Santa María del Mar, about 1.5 km west along the coast path. The free área de autocaravanas El Agüil in Salinas is about 2 km away. Nearest campsite about 1.5 km away.
Facilities
Toilets, showers and drinking fountains, two beach bars open in summer, a bus stop nearby, and lifeguards in summer; surf schools from the area use it.
Water quality
Rated Excellent under the EU bathing-water rules every year from 2022 to 2025, and it holds a Bandera Azul for 2026.

Ideal conditions

Swell
WNW–NNW best, WNW–NNE works
Size
1.2–2.2 m offshore swell; starts at 0.8 m, holds to 3 m
Period
9 s minimum, best from 12 s
Wind
Offshore SE–SSW; handles onshore up to 12 km/h
Tide
mid, high best, avoid low
Faces
N (7°)

Live cam

No cam at this spot yet: the forecast and the guide are on the map.

Nearby spots

All spots in Asturias · All spots

Sources