Cobas (Ferrol)
- Wave, Shortboard
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Flat
- Spot Type
- Busy
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Cobas is a well-known Galicia beach-break surf spot near Ferrol, set on a sandy bay with right-hand waves that peel across sandbars. Waves are described as forgiving and suitable for beginners, while still delivering a useful window for more experienced surfers when swell builds. The working swell range is typically around 1.5 to 2 meters, holding up to roughly 2 meters or more (one provider also notes it can hold to about 2.5 meters before closing out). Normal ride lengths are reported in the 50 to 150 meter range, with typical rides often around 100 meters, and the wave is generally described as peeling with medium peel speed. Wind conditions matter for wave cleanliness: South and Southeast winds are specifically highlighted as providing the best/cleaner conditions, and the spot is also described as usable with winds in the same general sector. One provider describes gustiness as moderate and overall wind reliability as medium, and notes possible wind shadow effects tied to northern cliffs. Safety-wise, expect surf-related hazards including rip currents and submerged sandbars, along with rocks at the northern end of the beach. After winter storms, the sandbars frequently shift—checking conditions before committing is advised. Lifeguard coverage is reported as seasonal and rescue availability as limited, so plan for hazards even on otherwise favorable sessions.
- Right-hand beach-break on sand with forgiving, peely waves
- Best wind directions: South and Southeast for clean conditions
- Normal rides: about 50–150 meters
- Good car access with instant entry (under ~5 minutes walk)
- Right-hand sandy beach break with forgiving, peely waves
- Works from around 1.5–2 meters and can hold up to ~2 meters or more
- Good car access with a short walk to the water
- Shifting sandbars (especially after winter storms)
- Rip currents can occur
- Weekend crowds can be crowded
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- S, SE
- Offshore directions
- S, SE
- Wind Range
- 10–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Provider notes winds described as frontal; local climatology also includes frontal influences at times along the Ferrol coast.
- Reliability
- medium
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Reported as moderate gusts.
- Best Months
- September
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Baseline indicates it starts working around 1.5–2 meters and can hold up to 2 meters+.
- Launch
- Medium — Direct beach access; described as easy launch with spacious sandy entry and setup room.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Easy launch with direct beach entry.
Through the year
Quiet during winter weekdays; very crowded on weekends and throughout summer vacation.
Winter months often see frequent rain and heavy Atlantic storms.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Possible when winds are suitable, but the spot is primarily described as a surfing destination. Space exists in the bay; riders should remain mindful of surf zones.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Used by windsurfers during strong frontal winds as an alternative to nearby beaches.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–5.5 m²
Cobas is a right-hand beach break on a sandy bottom with forgiving, peely waves and typical ride lengths from about 50 to 150 meters.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- S, SSE, NW, W, N, WNW
- Swell Height
- 1.5–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — Listed as all-tides.
- Shelter
- Exposed — One source describes the spot as exposed; another notes semi-sheltered conditions—expect exposure to vary with exact local setup and swell period.
- Wind Effect
- Best with south to southeast winds; provider notes south and southeast winds provide clean offshore conditions.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size up to about 2 meters or more; one provider notes it can hold up to 2.5 meters before closing out.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Reported as good, with regional-classic quality noted in baseline data.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Regional classic with moderate power.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Wave shape described as peeling.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peel speed reported as medium.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Normal rides typically range 50 to 150 meters.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- 50 to 150 meters (typical normal length), with normal rides often around 100 meters.
From the spot
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Cobas (Ferrol) in the full forecast view.
Cobas (Ferrol) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–14 ktsGusts 27 kts
- Direction
- SSW202°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2414 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.0–3.7 m11s period
- Temperature
- 11–21 °C
Over the next 7 days, Cobas (Ferrol) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–14 kts, peaking around 14 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 27 kts. The prevailing direction is SSW. Waves run 1.0–3.7 m with a period of about 11s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Rip currents
- Rocks at the northern end of the beach
- Submerged sandbars
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguard coverage is seasonal.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability reported as limited.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major hospital is in Ferrol.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Localism reported as mild.
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies; respect local surfers and maintain distance in the lineup.
- Designated swimming areas during summer months
- Check sandbar conditions after winter storms as they frequently shift.
- The northern end typically handles northerly swells better.
- During summer, observe any designated swimming areas.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Ferrol
- Nearest Town
- Cobas
- Parking
- Good car access to the beach; parking lots fill up quickly on summer weekends.
- Public Transport
- Limited public bus access to the beach; mainly by road.
- Access
- Car access with instant beach entry (<5min walk); dedicated parking lots available close to the beach.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish, Galician
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Accommodation available in and around Ferrol, including guesthouses/apartments in the Cobas village and city options.
- Food & Drink
- Local restaurants and beach bars within walking distance.
- Equipment Rental:
- Rental shops are available in nearby Ferrol; some board/surf rentals may be offered locally.
- Gear Storage
- Gear storage offered by some local surf schools and sports accommodations near main beaches.
- Gear Repair
- Basic sail/board repair services are available in Ferrol via regional surf shops and some schools.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Cobas (Ferrol)?
The best overall months at Cobas (Ferrol) are August, September, June, July. The best wind months are September.
Which wind directions work at Cobas (Ferrol)?
Cobas (Ferrol) works with S, SE winds. Offshore directions are S, SE.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Cobas (Ferrol)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Cobas (Ferrol): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–5.5 m². The typical wind range is 10–25 kts.
What skill level is Cobas (Ferrol) suitable for?
Cobas (Ferrol) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate to Advanced · Windsurfing: Intermediate to Advanced · Surfing: Beginner to Advanced.