El Mongol

Gijón · Asturias · Spain

Today’s forecast: the current surf forecast for El Mongol (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/el-mongol.

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El Mongol is a long, powerful right over a rock reef at the east end of San Lorenzo, below the Cervigón promenade. It needs a big north-north-west swell and the rising tide, and it holds over 4 m, with hollow, fast sections. It is a classic big-wave spot for Gijón's experienced locals in autumn and winter, and the tight local crew sets the rules. The rocks, currents and sea wall make it unforgiving.

Level
Experts only
Break
Reef break, rock
Waves
Rights
Crowd
Busy
Season
autumn, winter
Boards
A step-up or semi-gun.

When it works

✓ A 2.5–3.5 m north-north-west to north swell on a rising mid to high tide, with a south-east wind.

When it doesn't

✕ Small swell does not break, low tide leaves the reef too shallow, and a northerly or north-easterly wind blows straight in.

Watch out for

  • rocks
  • reef
  • currents
  • localism
  • pollution

Best months

January, February, March, October, November, December

Local tips

Plan your way in and out before going in: big blocks and the concrete promenade line the shore. The crew is local and experienced, so watch for a while and wait your turn. Local advice on tide varies, so ask before paddling out.

Getting there

It is right off the eastern end of the San Lorenzo promenade, near stair 24. Park by the hospital and Campo Valdés.

Travel notes

How often it works
It only works on big north-west swells, so it breaks on a limited number of days, mostly in autumn and winter. If nobody is out, it is probably not working.
Crowd and vibe
Quiet on weekdays but busy on good weekends, with 10 to 20 experienced locals. Surf guides list localism here, so watch first, wait your turn and don't paddle out alone.
Camping and vans
Camping Gijón sits on the coast at El Rinconín, about 0.5 km from the break, but it only opens from June to September. Camping Deva, open all year, is about 4 km inland of the city. Vans can stay up to 72 hours at the free área de autocaravanas at El Arbeyal, by the El Musel port road. Nearest campsite about 0.5 km away.
Facilities
The break has nothing of its own, but the San Lorenzo promenade next to it has parking, showers, bars and surf shops.
Water quality
Surf guides list pollution as a hazard at this city break, and none of Gijón's beaches is on the 2026 Bandera Azul list. No official rating was found.

Ideal conditions

Swell
NW–N best, NW–NNE works
Size
2.5–3.5 m offshore swell; starts at 1.5 m, holds to 4.5 m
Period
11 s minimum, best from 14 s
Wind
Offshore SE–SSW; handles onshore up to 10 km/h
Tide
mid, high best, avoid low, on the rising tide
Faces
NNW (340°)

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