Montgat (Alella)
- Freeride, Shortboard
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Chop, Ocean, Mixed
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Montgat is a busy, urban-style sandbar and beach-break area just north of Barcelona, commonly described as exposed and sometimes inconsistent—one guide notes it “does not work very often.” When it is firing, it’s known for sandbar-driven surfing with left and right wave options, and the surf setup is generally tied to southeast/E swells. For kitesurfing, the best wind window is May through September, with working directions reported as NE, E, SSW, and SW. Typical conditions are described as chop/flat-to-small/medium waves depending on the setup, with clean water quality reported. One key planning point is seasonal summer bathing restrictions: during June to September, kitesurfing (and windsufing) are often prohibited due to the lack of a designated kite zone and the increased presence of swimmers. Safety considerations are central at Montgat. Multiple sources flag strong rips, swimmers, jet-skis, rocks and stones (including submerged rocks near the central rocky outcrop), plus a moderate shore break on the surf side—together these make it important to choose conditions carefully and respect crowd and navigation risks. Overall, Montgat works best when you align swell and wind together with sandbar positioning, and when you’re prepared for an active shoreline environment. Expect a mix of local surfers and visitors on days with workable conditions, and treat sandbar changes after storms as a normal part of planning a session.
- Exposed sandbar/beach break with surf tied to southeast/E swell
- Kitesurfing typically strongest May–September with NE/E/SSW/SW winds
- Urban beach access near Barcelona (train access also cited)
- Strong-rip and rock/stone hazards to consider
- Exposed sandbar/beach break with surf options tied to southeast/E swell
- Kitesurfing possible during May–September with NE/E/SSW/SW winds
- Urban, easy beach access and practical day-trip location near Barcelona
- Often crowded when conditions work
- Break can be inconsistent and may not work very often
- Strong rips and submerged rocks/stones are reported hazards
- Seasonal summer restrictions can limit kitesurfing/windsurfing (bathing season)
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE, E, SSW, SW
- Offshore directions
- NW
- Wind Range
- 12–22 kts
- Wind Type
- Mixed — Thermal sea-breeze pattern (Garbí) common in sunny afternoons and occasional Levante/frontal influence; spot also sees NE/E/SWW/SW winds.
- Reliability
- medium
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Gusts described as light by one provider; wind reliability described as medium.
- Best Months
- May, June, July, August, September
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop, Ocean, Mixed
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach composition is consistently described.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Small — Surf wave size described as small by one provider; another provider describes medium surf conditions. Kitesurfing/conditions described more broadly as flat/chop/small/medium/big depending on wind setup.
- Chop Level
- Heavy chop — Water described as chop by one provider.
- Launch
- Big — Big beach with straightforward access; another provider describes a narrow sandy beach divided by rocky outcrops and bordered by a train line.
Through the year
Very crowded in July and August with beachgoers; surf crowds peak on weekends during East swells.
October and November often see the most rainfall and start of the winter storm season; described as bringing strong Levante storms and significant swell.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Kitesurfing is possible with NE, E, SSW, and SW winds. Best months align with May through September. One guide highlights seasonal summer bathing restrictions and notes the beach can become crowded with swimmers in summer.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Freeride and wave/foil sailing depending on wind direction; best described for Levante (East) wind setups.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–6.5 m²
Foil-friendly due to deep water close to shore, though shore break can be challenging during East swells.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Deep water close to shore supports foiling.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Exposed sandbar/beach break with shifting sandbars producing left and right waves (quality commonly tied to East/seaward swell). Can be inconsistent and often flatter in summer.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- E, SE
- Swell Height
- 0.5–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — Works at all tides (sandbar positioning still matters).
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed beach/sandbar setup.
- Wind Effect
- Southwest winds are cross-onshore; northwest winds are offshore but can be gusty.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out when swell exceeds 2.5 meters.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Wave quality described as good; another guide characterizes the break as exposed and not working very often.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Wave power described as moderate by one provider.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling shape described for the main surfing setup.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Medium peel speed described.
- Ride Length
- Medium — One provider reports rides between 30 and 70 meters; typical ride length reported as 50 meters.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50 m
- Ride Length Details
- Rides typically run around 30–70 meters depending on sandbar formation; longer sections may form for the left/right peaks depending on swell and bar position.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Montgat (Alella) in the full forecast view.
Montgat (Alella) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 1–6 ktsGusts 14 kts
- Direction
- SSW193°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 246 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.1–0.8 m3s period
- Temperature
- 13–23 °C
Over the next 7 days, Montgat (Alella) is forecast for daytime winds of 1–6 kts, peaking around 6 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 14 kts. The prevailing direction is SSW. Waves run 0.1–0.8 m with a period of about 3s. 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
- strong rips
- swimmers
- jet-skis
- wave breaker
- rocks
- stones
- submerged rocks near the central rocky outcrop
- proximity to train tracks
- train line fence close to the beach
- occasional fishing gear
- strong shore break during East swells
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguard services during summer months (June to September).
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability described as limited overall, with seasonal lifeguards in summer.
- Emergency Info
- Use 112 for emergencies. Nearest major hospitals are in Badalona and Barcelona.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Described as having a local-mild vibe; also noted as mixed crowds on working days.
Rules of the spot
Seasonal restrictions can apply in summer bathing season (June to September) for kitesurfing/windsurfing due to the lack of a designated kite zone.
- No kitesurfing in summer months (June to September) due to seasonal bathing restrictions.
- Take care of strong rips and be prepared for a mix of locals and surfers.
- Watch the sandbar position since it can change after major storms.
- Winter mornings often provide the cleanest surf conditions.
- Park at the train station for the easiest access.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Barcelona
- Nearest Town
- Montgat (Alella area)
- Parking
- Parking generally available nearby, but pay parking near the station can fill quickly on weekends.
- Public Transport
- Excellent access via Rodalies de Catalunya (R1 line) running parallel to the coast with stops at Montgat.
- Access
- Just north of Barcelona; access described as straightforward (also described as very accessible via the R1 Rodalies train line with beach located next to Montgat Nord/Montgat stations).
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish (Catalan also spoken)
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Accommodation in Badalona and Barcelona, with limited local rentals in Montgat.
- Food & Drink
- Numerous beach bars (chiringuitos) operate along the sand during warmer months.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surf and SUP rentals available at the local sailing club; equipment rental also described along the Maresme coast.
- Gear Storage
- Storage available for members at the local sailing club (limited).
- Gear Repair
- No specialized kite or sail repair on-site; repair described as available in nearby areas.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A commuter-friendly Mediterranean corridor just north of Barcelona with wide sandy access, easy rail connectivity, and a developed local nautical scene—often centered around after-session beach-bar culture.
Lively marina with restaurants, shops, and leisure facilities.
Extensive Roman ruins and museum in neighboring Badalona.
Historic remains preserved on the hill above the coast.
Coastal mountain range with hiking and mountain biking trails and sea views.
Popular seasonal beach bars known for fresh seafood and a relaxed atmosphere.
Water park located nearby in Vilassar de Dalt.
Beach access with walkways and adapted toilets, plus a small children’s play area.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Montgat (Alella)?
The best overall months at Montgat (Alella) are May, June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at Montgat (Alella)?
Montgat (Alella) works with NE, E, SSW, SW winds. Offshore directions are NW.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Montgat (Alella)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Montgat (Alella): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–6.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 12–22 kts.
What skill level is Montgat (Alella) suitable for?
Montgat (Alella) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner to Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.