Swell Cabin › Best surf by month

Best surf towns in January

70 surf towns where January is in the best season for waves. Open any town for its surf spots, where to stay and what's on.

Where the waves were best in January (measured)

How often the waves were good and great at each town's best spot in January, over the last three years.

1. Ventura, United States: good waves 100% of days, great 88%, sea 15°C
2. Haleiwa, United States: good waves 92% of days, great 72%, sea 25°C
3. Jardim do Mar, Portugal: good waves 97% of days, great 67%, sea 20°C
4. Weligama, Sri Lanka: good waves 99% of days, great 59%, sea 28°C
5. Hanalei, United States: good waves 87% of days, great 68%, sea 25°C
6. San Clemente, United States: good waves 86% of days, great 66%, sea 15°C
7. Midigama & Ahangama, Sri Lanka: good waves 98% of days, great 54%, sea 28°C
8. Pa'ia, United States: good waves 90% of days, great 58%, sea 25°C
9. Taghazout, Morocco: good waves 86% of days, great 60%, sea 18°C
10. Corralejo, Spain: good waves 86% of days, great 57%, sea 20°C
11. Santa Barbara, United States: good waves 90% of days, great 52%, sea 15°C
12. Santa Teresa, Costa Rica: good waves 97% of days, great 43%, sea 29°C
13. Playa de las Américas, Spain: good waves 80% of days, great 59%, sea 21°C
14. Mundaka, Spain: good waves 80% of days, great 57%, sea 14°C
15. Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka: good waves 83% of days, great 53%, sea 28°C

Europe

• Anglet, France: Beach breaks, water 12–22°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Arrifana & Aljezur, Portugal: Beach/Reef breaks, water 15–20°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Bundoran, Ireland: Reef/Beach breaks, water 10–15°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Caleta de Famara, Spain: Beach/Reef breaks, water 18–23°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Capbreton, France: Beach breaks, water 12–22°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Carcavelos, Portugal: Beach breaks, water 14–20°C, suits beginner/intermediate
• Carrapateira, Portugal: Beach breaks, water 15–20°C, suits beginner/intermediate
• Corralejo, Spain: Reef/Beach breaks, water 18–23°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Costa da Caparica, Portugal: Beach breaks, water 14–20°C, suits beginner/intermediate
• Easkey, Ireland: Reef breaks, water 10–15°C, suits advanced
• El Palmar, Spain: Beach breaks, water 15–22°C, suits beginner/intermediate
• Ericeira, Portugal: Reef/Point/Beach breaks, water 14–20°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Espinho, Portugal: Beach breaks, water 13–18°C, suits intermediate/advanced
• Figueira da Foz, Portugal: Point/Beach breaks, water 13–19°C, suits intermediate/advanced
• Guéthary, France: Reef breaks, water 12–22°C, suits intermediate/advanced
• Hallbergmoos, Germany: Wave pool breaks, water not published, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Jardim do Mar, Portugal: Point/Reef breaks, water 17–23°C, suits advanced
• Lahinch, Ireland: Beach/Reef breaks, water 10–15°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain: Reef/Beach/Point breaks, water 18–23°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Matosinhos, Portugal: Beach breaks, water 13–18°C, suits beginner/intermediate
• Mundaka, Spain: River mouth breaks, water 12–21°C, suits advanced
• Nazaré, Portugal: Beach breaks, water 14–19°C, suits intermediate/advanced
• Peniche & Baleal, Portugal: Beach/Reef breaks, water 14–19°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Playa de las Américas, Spain: Reef breaks, water 18–23°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Razo, Spain: Beach breaks, water 12–18°C, suits beginner/intermediate
• Sagres, Portugal: Beach/Reef breaks, water 15–21°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Salinas, Spain: Beach breaks, water 12–20°C, suits beginner/intermediate
• San Sebastián, Spain: Beach breaks, water 12–22°C, suits beginner/intermediate
• Santa Cruz, Portugal: Beach/Reef breaks, water 14–19°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Somo, Spain: Beach breaks, water 12–21°C, suits beginner/intermediate
• Strandhill, Ireland: Beach/Reef breaks, water 10–15°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Tynemouth, United Kingdom: Beach/Reef breaks, water 7–14°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Zarautz, Spain: Beach breaks, water 12–22°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced

Africa

• Imsouane, Morocco: Point breaks, water 17–22°C, suits beginner/intermediate
• Mirleft, Morocco: Beach/Reef breaks, water 17–22°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Safi, Morocco: Reef/Point breaks, water 16–21°C, suits advanced
• Sidi Kaouki, Morocco: Beach/Reef breaks, water 16–21°C, suits beginner/intermediate
• Taghazout, Morocco: Point/Reef breaks, water 17–22°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Tamraght, Morocco: Point/Beach breaks, water 17–22°C, suits beginner/intermediate

Asia

• Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: Wave pool breaks, water not published, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Ashdod, Israel: Beach/River mouth breaks, water 18–30°C, suits beginner/intermediate
• Haifa, Israel: Reef/Point/Beach breaks, water 18–30°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Herzliya, Israel: Beach/Point breaks, water 17–29°C, suits beginner/intermediate
• Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka: Reef/Beach breaks, water 27–29°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Keramas, Indonesia: Reef breaks, water 27–29°C, suits advanced
• Midigama & Ahangama, Sri Lanka: Reef/Point breaks, water 27–29°C, suits intermediate/advanced
• Mikhmoret, Israel: Beach breaks, water 18–30°C, suits beginner/intermediate
• Nahariya, Israel: Beach breaks, water 18–30°C, suits beginner/intermediate
• Netanya, Israel: Beach breaks, water 18–30°C, suits beginner/intermediate
• Tel Aviv, Israel: Beach/Reef/Wave pool breaks, water 17–29°C, suits beginner/intermediate
• Weligama, Sri Lanka: Beach breaks, water 27–29°C, suits beginner

Oceania

• Coolangatta, Australia: Point/Beach breaks, water 21–27°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced

Pacific Islands

• Haleiwa, United States: Reef breaks, water 24–27°C, suits intermediate/advanced
• Hanalei, United States: Reef/Beach breaks, water 24–27°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Pa'ia, United States: Reef breaks, water 24–27°C, suits intermediate/advanced

North America

• Encinitas, United States: Reef/Point/Beach breaks, water 14–21°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Huntington Beach, United States: Beach/River mouth breaks, water 14–21°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• La Jolla, United States: Reef/Beach/Point breaks, water 14–21°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Oceanside, United States: Beach breaks, water 14–21°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Santa Barbara, United States: Point/Reef breaks, water 13–19°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Ventura, United States: Point/Beach breaks, water 13–19°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Waco, United States: Wave pool breaks, water 7–32°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced

Mexico & Central America

• Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica: Reef/Beach breaks, water 26–29°C, suits intermediate/advanced
• Punta Mita, Mexico: Reef/Point breaks, water 23–29°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• San Pancho, Mexico: Beach breaks, water 23–29°C, suits intermediate/advanced
• Sayulita, Mexico: Beach/Reef breaks, water 23–29°C, suits beginner/intermediate

Caribbean

• Bocas del Toro, Panama: Reef breaks, water 27–29°C, suits intermediate/advanced
• Isabela, Puerto Rico: Reef/Beach breaks, water 26–28°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced
• Rincón, Puerto Rico: Reef/Point breaks, water 26–28°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced

South America

• Máncora, Peru: Point breaks, water 21–25°C, suits beginner/intermediate/advanced

Frequently asked questions

Where is the best surf in January?

In January, 70 surf towns on Swell Cabin are in season, including Anglet, Arrifana & Aljezur and Bundoran (Europe); Imsouane, Mirleft and Safi (Africa); Abu Dhabi, Ashdod and Haifa (Asia); Coolangatta (Oceania); Haleiwa, Hanalei and Pa'ia (Pacific Islands); Encinitas, Huntington Beach and La Jolla (North America); Puerto Viejo, Punta Mita and San Pancho (Mexico & Central America); Bocas del Toro, Isabela and Rincón (Caribbean); Máncora (South America).

Which surf towns had the most good surf days in January?

Measured over the last three years, January's waves were best at Ventura (good 100% of days, great 88%), Haleiwa (good 92% of days, great 72%), Jardim do Mar (good 97% of days, great 67%), Weligama (good 99% of days, great 59%) and Hanalei (good 87% of days, great 68%). From each day's swell and wind (Open-Meteo), rated at each town's best spot like Swell Cabin's forecast.

Where can beginners surf in January?

Beginner-friendly surf towns in season in January include Huntington Beach (United States), Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (Spain), La Jolla (United States), Encinitas (United States), Corralejo (Spain), Santa Barbara (United States), Oceanside (United States) and Anglet (France).

Where can I surf in warm water in January?

Warm-water surf towns (24°C+ all year) in season in January: Weligama (Sri Lanka), Haleiwa (United States), Hikkaduwa (Sri Lanka), Midigama & Ahangama (Sri Lanka), Rincón (Puerto Rico), Isabela (Puerto Rico), Puerto Viejo (Costa Rica) and Bocas del Toro (Panama).

Other months: January · February · March · April · May · June · July · August · September · October · November · December

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