Arteixo – Barrañán

Arteixo · Galicia Norte · Spain

Today’s forecast: the current surf forecast for Arteixo – Barrañán (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/barranan.

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Barrañán is a wild 1.2 km sand beach in Arteixo, in a protected dune system about 15 km from A Coruña. It is a reference spot for surfers from both towns. Many peaks break both ways: the eastern end usually has longer, more orderly waves, and the middle is heavier and more explosive. It is consistent and powerful, works in small swells and holds up to about 2.5 m. Strong sideways currents run on bigger days, and winter storms reshape the sandbanks.

Level
Intermediate
Break
Beach break, sand
Waves
Lefts and rights
Crowd
Busy
Season
autumn, winter, spring, summer
Boards
A shortboard or fish; a funboard on small days.

When it works

✓ A north to north-west swell on the rising mid tide, with a south or south-east wind.

When it doesn't

✕ North wind, and moderate to big swells for less experienced surfers.

Watch out for

  • currents
  • rips
  • rocks

Best months

January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December

Local tips

Currents and backwash are strongest in the middle, and the sets make the paddle out hard work. Head to the eastern (right-hand) end for longer, cleaner rides. In summer the beach fills with swimmers.

Getting there

From Arteixo, take the good road towards Caión, a few minutes' drive. There is parking, summer lifeguards and several surf schools.

Travel notes

How often it works
Very consistent. It faces north into the open Atlantic, so it picks up even small swells, and online spot guides count around 150 surfable days a year.
Crowd and vibe
Quiet on weekdays, with a few more surfers at weekends. It is the home break for many surfers from Arteixo and A Coruña, and in summer the sand fills with bathers and surf school groups.
Camping and vans
Camping Balcobo sits about 1.5 km east, between Barrañán and Sabón beaches, with direct access to the seafront path. It opens in season only. Vans can also use the área de pernocta at Punta do Petón in Valcovo, about 2 km away. Nearest campsite about 1.5 km away.
Facilities
There is parking, lifeguards in summer and several surf schools on the beach.
Water quality
Barrañán holds a Blue Flag for 2026, which requires excellent bathing water.

Ideal conditions

Swell
WNW–N best, W–NNE works
Size
1–2.2 m offshore swell; starts at 0.5 m, holds to 3 m
Period
8 s minimum, best from 12 s
Wind
Offshore SE–SSW; handles onshore up to 12 km/h
Tide
low, mid best, on the rising tide
Faces
N (352°)

Live cam

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

Nearby spots

All spots in Galicia Norte · All spots

Sources