Surfing in El Palmar in September
Surf guide
July and August have crowded beaches and small waves. October onwards means big waves and cold water. September is the month almost nobody talks about, and it’s exactly the one that best combines the two things that actually matter: water that’s still warm, and waves that are starting to build.
Why September is the hinge month in El Palmar
Every surf guide in the area says the same thing: October to April for advanced level, June to September for beginners and intermediates. That’s true. But within that second block, September is different from July and August — and that difference is what almost nobody explains.
In September, the water is still warm — gradually dropping from August’s 23°C towards 21°C, no thick wetsuit needed. At the same time, the swell starts to gain size and consistency as the first Atlantic depressions approach the Costa de la Luz. And the beaches, packed in August, go back to their relaxed pace.
It’s the ideal month for anyone who learned to surf in summer and wants to make the real jump: slightly bigger waves to progress on, without the technical demands or the cold of full winter.
📍 September in El Palmar, in numbers
Water: 21–23 °C · Air: 24–28 °C · Waves: 0.8–2 m, building through the month · Beaches far less crowded than in August · Short wetsuit or 3/2 mm suit depending on the week
Autumn season at Nexo: different from summer
In summer, Nexo runs on single-day packs with midday meals. In September that changes: the autumn surfcamp season kicks off, with a full-week format, full board, and a very different group dynamic.
From 6 September to 28 November 2026. Each week includes accommodation, all meals, surf equipment use for the whole stay, daily 2-hour lessons, yoga and surfskate. Plus one free evening to eat out in El Palmar and a full free day to explore Tarifa, Conil or Vejer de la Frontera.
The autumn packs at Nexo
Three options depending on how much you want to customise your week:
- ✓ Accommodation and meals
- ✓ Surf equipment included
- ✓ Add extras to build your own
- ✓ Accommodation and meals
- ✓ Surf equipment included
- ✓ Surf, yoga and surfskate lessons
- ✓ Full board
- ✓ All-inclusive, nothing extra to add
- ✓ Daily surf, yoga and surfskate
- ✓ Group dinner and excursion included
If you want the complete experience without deciding anything else, the Pack All In is the most direct option: everything sorted from the first day to the last.
Pack All In · Autumn 2026
From €1,075/week · 6 Sep – 28 Nov · Limited spots
This is what a surfcamp week at Nexo looks like
Every morning starts the same way: meeting on the beach, group warm-up and a 2-hour lesson with one instructor for a maximum of 6 students. Before getting in the water, there’s a theory session — something few surfcamps do well — covering wave reading, positioning at the peak and the day’s technique, with a chalkboard and examples in the garden.
Nexo works with a level scale from 0 to 5, from someone who has never stood on a board to someone already doing manoeuvres. Groups are organised by that level, not by age — although children under 12 have their own groups, and from that age they can join the adult groups.
The rest of the day is free: garden, yoga, surfskate at the in-house wavepark, or simply resting until the next session. Midweek, a full free day to get out of El Palmar and explore the surroundings.
The waves in September: what to expect
El Palmar faces southwest and receives Atlantic swell all year round, and in September the first sets noticeably more consistent than in high summer start to show up. Nothing comparable to winter’s 2-3 metre waves, but enough for someone who can already stand up to start catching waves more consistently and work on turns and positioning on the wall.
What guests who have already been say
Three friends spent 5 days doing a surf course. Both the staff and the coaches were absolutely lovely. The breakfast and lunch were top quality, with vegan options. If there are no waves they offer a pretty intense functional training class or yoga. We’ll be back.
— María Victoria N. ★★★★★
TripAdvisor
The surf, yoga, acroyoga, massage, surfskate, ping-pong classes… are so much fun, with coaches who are engaged, warm and friendly. You can really feel the good energy in the team — they know what they’re doing and you can tell they love it. Spending a few days here fixes everything.
— Maribel R. ★★★★★
TripAdvisor
The treatment from all the staff was magnificent — a real family, they make you feel at home. The surf instructors were all wonderful, true professionals. The food, something out of the ordinary.
— Rafa Herrero ★★★★★
Nexo Surfhouse has an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 on Google, based on over 450 verified reviews.
Book your September week
Pack All In: everything included, nothing else to decide. Limited spots.
Check Pack All In availability →
6 September – 28 November 2026 · From €1,075/week
Frequently asked questions about surfing in El Palmar in September
Is September a good time to surf in El Palmar?
Yes. September combines water that’s still warm (21-23°C) with waves that start growing compared to summer, and beaches much less crowded than in August. It’s an ideal transition month for anyone who learned to surf in summer and wants to progress.
What’s the difference between Nexo’s summer and autumn packs?
Summer packs are per night with half board. Autumn packs are full-week, with full board (in the Pack All In), surf equipment included for the whole stay, and group activities like eating out and an excursion.
How much does the autumn surfcamp at Nexo cost?
The Pack All Custom starts from €800 per week, the Pack All Basic from €875, and the Pack All In, with full board and everything included, from €1,075 per week.
How many people are in each class group?
Groups are a maximum of 6 people per instructor, or even fewer if sea conditions require it.
Can children join the September surfcamp?
Yes, the only requirement is that they can swim. Groups are organised by age and level, and from age 12 they can join the adult groups.
When does the autumn season at Nexo start and end?
From 6 September to 28 November 2026 (Pack All In). The All Basic and All Custom packs end on 21 November.
Nexo Surfhouse
Surf camp and accommodation in El Palmar, Cádiz
We have been in El Palmar for over a decade. We started making surfboards and evolved into a surf house where surfing, food and people are at the centre of everything. We write about what we know first-hand.
