Surfing in El Palmar in summer
Many people think El Palmar is only worth visiting in autumn or winter. Understandable. But wrong — at least if your level isn’t advanced. In summer the conditions are different, not worse. And at Nexo, surfing is just the starting point.
Are there waves in El Palmar in July and August?
Yes. This is the most common question before summer, and the answer is always the same: there are waves. What changes compared to autumn or winter is the size and power, not the existence.
In summer, waves in El Palmar typically range between 0.5 and 1.5 metres. Less powerful than November swells, yes. But perfectly surfable, especially in the mornings, when the wind hasn’t yet picked up and the sea is clean and organised.
Experienced surfers prefer October to April. That doesn’t mean there’s no surfing in summer. It means summer surfing is different: more accessible, more consistent in size, easier to handle. For someone learning or with a couple of seasons under their belt, July and August conditions in El Palmar are, objectively, the most favourable of the year.
📍 El Palmar in numbers: summer vs. winter
Winter (Oct–Apr): waves of 1.5 to 3 metres, powerful, fast. Water at 15–17 °C. 4/3 mm wetsuit required.
Summer (Jul–Aug): waves of 0.5 to 1.5 metres, manageable. Water at 22–24 °C. Swimwear or a thin rash guard is enough.
Real surfing conditions in summer
El Palmar faces southwest, allowing it to receive Atlantic swell all year round. Its sandy bottom creates peaks spread along more than 4 kilometres of beach, which in summer means there is always a working peak even when the overall size is small.
Wind is the most important factor in summer. The poniente (westerly wind), which blows strongly in July and August along the entire Costa de la Luz, can chop up the sea in the afternoons. The solution is simple: morning sessions, when the wind is still calm, consistently offer the best conditions.
| Season | Wave height | Water temp. | Air temp. | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July – August | 0,5 – 1,5 m | 22 – 24 °C | 30 – 34 °C | Beginners & intermediates |
| March – June | 0,8 – 2 m | 16 – 19 °C | 20 – 26 °C | All levels |
| September – November | 1 – 2,5 m | 19 – 22 °C | 22 – 28 °C | Intermediates & advanced |
| December – February | 1,5 – 3+ m | 15 – 17 °C | 14 – 18 °C | Advanced |
Sources: Surf-Forecast.com (2 decades of historical data), SeaTemperature.info, AEMET.
Nexo in summer: surfing is just the starting point
This is the real difference between surfing in El Palmar and surfing at Nexo. In the water: the quality of the lessons, personalised attention, reading the conditions. Out of the water: everything else.
Nexo is not a hotel with surf lessons attached. It’s a place that has built a complete experience around living well while learning to surf. Mornings in the water. Lunch at midday. Afternoons in the garden, on the surfskate, doing yoga, or simply in the hammock. Evenings in El Palmar.
Surf
2h lessons, small groups, personalised attention. Adapted to your level, from zero.
Surfskate
Our own wavepark. Sessions to improve technique out of the water.
Yoga
Classes on the wooden platform in the garden, outdoors. The perfect counterpart to surfing.
Home-cooked food
Daily changing menu with local produce. Vegan options. Breakfast and lunch included in all packs.
The garden
Hammocks, chill-out area, massage cabin, ping-pong. The place you come back to after the water.
The people
International community of adults with the same spirit. Solo, as a couple, in a group.
Everything in the same space. 350 metres from the beach. No need to get in the car for anything.
Surf + food + accommodation in July or August
Active Summer Pack from €120/night · Available 18 Jul – 29 Aug
What guests say
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 · August 2025 · ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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 · August 2022 · ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
It was a wonderful experience. The warmth and care the whole team puts into everything is something special. The food was spectacular — I’ll be dreaming about it for a long time. I already want to go back.
— Pau
Google · ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Nexo Surfhouse has an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 on Google, based on over 450 verified reviews.
Why summer is the best time to learn to surf
The water is at 22–24 °C. The average water temperature in August is 22.1 °C, peaking at up to 24 °C. No thick wetsuit needed. Going from one hour to two hours in the water stops being a thermal challenge.
The waves are easier to manage. Waves of 0.5 to 1 metre give you room to make mistakes, try again, and learn without the fear that winter seas generate. Learners prefer waves where they can catch 20 in a session rather than 3.
Daylight until 9:30 pm. El Palmar has more than 300 sunny days a year. In July and August the sun doesn’t set until nearly 10 pm. Two sessions a day without forcing schedules.
The weather is stable. Maximum temperatures of 30–34 °C. Rain probability is practically zero.
The village atmosphere in summer is unique. Beach markets, live music, beach bars open late into the night. El Palmar in August has a life of its own.
Summer packs at Nexo
From 18 July to 29 August. Minimum 5 nights. Three options depending on what you’re looking for:
- Accommodation
- Breakfast and lunch
- Activities à la carte
- Accommodation
- Breakfast and lunch
- Daily yoga (1h)
- 1 massage included
- Accommodation
- Breakfast and lunch
- Surf lessons (2h/day)
- Small groups
- Personalised attention
All packs include: rooms with private bathroom, free parking, garden, wifi, and the beach 350 metres away.
Limited spots for July and August
Summer packs have limited availability. Check free dates and book your week directly.
View Active Summer Pack availability →
From 18 July to 29 August · Minimum 5 nights · From €120/night
Frequently asked questions
Are there waves to surf in El Palmar in July and August?
Yes. In summer waves average between 0.5 and 1.5 metres, with softer and more manageable conditions than in winter. Ideal for beginners and intermediates. On poniente (westerly wind) days the sea is clean, especially in the mornings.
What is the water temperature in El Palmar in August?
The average water temperature in August is 22.1 °C, peaking at up to 24 °C. No thick wetsuit needed: a rash guard or thin summer suit is enough for most sessions.
Can I do a surf camp with accommodation in El Palmar in summer?
Yes. Nexo Surfhouse operates from 18 July to 29 August with surf + accommodation + breakfast and lunch packs. The Active Summer Pack includes daily 2-hour surf lessons adapted to your level, from €120 per night with a minimum of 5 nights.
What does the Nexo Surfhouse experience include in summer beyond surfing?
Nexo in summer includes garden yoga, surfskate at our own wavepark, massages in the cabin, home-cooked food made with local produce, a garden with hammocks, and an international community atmosphere. Surfing is at the centre but the experience goes far beyond it.
Is summer a good time to learn to surf in Cádiz?
Summer is the best time to learn. The waves are smaller and more manageable, the water is at 22–24 °C, the weather is stable with more than 300 sunny days a year, and there is daylight until 9:30 pm.
When is the best time of day to surf in El Palmar in summer?
In the mornings, before the poniente wind picks up. The early hours of the day have cleaner conditions, with a more organised sea surface. Lessons at Nexo are scheduled precisely in that window.
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.
