Sweden

This large bay south of Varberg is familiar to most Swedish surfers. 'A-Bay' is famed for its nice waves in a strong west-north-westerly wind, although there’s something for everyone thanks to a large shallow area and broad range of workable wind directions. Plus there's camping and cottages right at the beach – although that does mean restrictions in high season: with swimmers in the water, kiting and windsurfing are banned between 10am and 6pm.

With sand so fine they used to fill hourglasses with it, this beach in the Dueodde nature reserve is considered the most beautiful on the island. It’s certainly the biggest at 10km long by up to 300m wide. It boasts the most reliable wind too, as all directions between west and south-easterly blow in freely. The best waves come with west to south-west wind, when the current also pulls strongest around the point – strong winds can produce epic days. The area is touristy and highly developed, yet you can always find privacy somewhere in the vast dunes.

Just 20 minutes from 'Haga Park', the easterly wind alternative at Bläsinge offers a wide, sandy beach with a decent standing-depth area. Despite occasionally choppy conditions, it’s fun for freestyle or simply blasting. Just watch out for a few rocks in the water here and there. There's a campsite nearby – and the hungry can buy fresh seafood straight from the fishermen at the little harbour.

The route to Møn’s easternmost corner runs through some of Denmark’s prettiest scenery of dense forests and gentle hills. There are nice waves over sandbanks either side of the harbour; they're a little cleaner downwind of the breakwater. A 'secret spot’ 500m east of the port can be a real highlight; echoes of Hawaii over a little reef. While you’re here, it’s worth paying a visit to the 128m-high white chalk cliff 'Møns Klint’.

An alternative for freeride in easterly winds. Launch from this sandy beach to find choppy waves hitting the shore from deeper waters.

A secluded spot on Gotland’s east coast with a standing-depth area and flat water on the inside of the bay – good for learning new skills in easterlies. In a south to south-westerly, small waves break over a reef a bit further out. Plenty of space for rigging and launching – and no problem camping here if you want to. Food, drink and the local aprés-surf scene can be enjoyed just 5 minutes away at the 'Hamra Krog' restaurant.

The spots on Hönö are a little more relaxed: although this island is also rocky, its bays offer more protection – there are even a few sandy sections in Lapposand. In summer and autumn, you can count on good wind on a regular basis. Plus, when the weather’s nice, westerly winds are strengthened by a sea breeze. Lapposand really has something for everyone, from freeride beneath magnificent cliffs inside the bay to a reef-break that sometimes shapes up nicely in a south-westerly.

Launch into 'Fakse Bay’ in easterly winds for freeride sessions off the Feddet Peninsula. The setting is family-friendly; a campsite with all amenities nestles in the pine forest behind a narrow, sandy beach. Offshore westerlies are gusty and can be dangerous for the inexperienced.

Just 15 minutes from central Copenhagen, Amager is the hottest spot on Sjælland – this 3km stretch of beach is popular with the city’s females, who like to let it all hang out here in summer. Windsurfers and kiters also appreciate the large standing-depth area and perfect freestyle conditions. Kiters launch from the southernmost section of beach, or try 'Ishøj' if it’s too busy. So many swimmers mean the manmade lagoons are only good out of season – or for ice-skating in winter.

South of the ferry port serving 'Anholt' is a more relaxed place to improve your wavesailing. The waves run a long way here yet don’t break quite as fiercely as other Baltic spots.

In Bogø you can ride super-flat waters on either side of a narrow peninsular, depending on which way the wind's blowing. In summer, with a light easterly wind forecast, it can be Force 2 in Copenhagen yet blowing Force 5 here – truly amazing!

South Sjælland is far less densely populated than the north, so you’ll instantly feel well-removed from the relatively hectic capital of Copenhagen. Several venues are worth a visit on your way south – the first being Karrebæksminde, where the coast runs almost east-west. So freeride conditions are often enhanced by steep chop in a south-westerly, whereas if it blows north to north-westerly the spot turns into a speed-strip. The beach is quite narrow, but you can drive right up to the water.

Torhamn Udde (meaning 'cape') is the area's kite spot, as without any swimmers you'll be virtually alone here. The grassland is ideal for launching and it’s usually slightly windier than town too. Very similar conditions though: flat to choppy water depending on windstrength.

A wide beach and standing-depth area make Rågelund one of the best kite locations in this area – that’s why it’s the Gothenburg kite scene's home spot. To keep it so, be sure to pay for parking at the kiosk on the campsite.

Definitively a top spot among Sweden’s wavesailors in a west-south-westerly. At best – when it’s been blowing hard overnight – there’s quality down-the-line waveriding to be had over the reef. Your chances of scoring increase markedly in autumn. The stone beach bears a passing resemblance to Pozo, complete with submerged fist-sized boulders . which is probably why the kitesurfers end up in 'Rågelund'! Warning: don't drive right down the private road to the marina, or the owners may consider closing this spot. There's plenty of room further up near the hardstanding.

In the north of Öland, Böda boasts the island's biggest and best sandy beach. Naturally, all the sunbathers – most of them from Sweden's largest campsite – know all about it too, but 20km of space should be enough to get along in. This excellent freeride spot is easily reached by car and enjoys a solid sea breeze, especially on summer afternoons. There can even be decent ramps on a good day.

This perfect beginners’ spot with a large shallow-water area regularly works as a freeride location too, equally popular with kiters and windsurfers. A road leads straight past, so parking's no problem – but it’s a bit tricky to get a kite up! You're better off launching from the water.

Haga Park's kite venue is just 700m south – wind conditions are much the same at Sandburgen, but there’s far less beach-life. To avoid the trees and bushes, launch your kite in the large (100m x 500m) shallow-water area. The nearby youth hostel bar hosts the local parties.

Plenty of flat water and a big shallow area make this a top choice for beginners, as well as freestylers keen to perfect the latest moves. At worst it gets choppy in stronger winds here, while the narrow grassy beach provides enough space to launch a kite. In summer there’s often good wind in Torkelstorp, although windsurfers will need a weed-fin in late summer and autumn. There are rocks in the water that only show at low tide – it's best to avoid the area 50m east of the little jetty.

Life can be sweet down on Skåne’s south-east coast. Waves form over two reefs in Borrby – maybe up to mast-high on the outer reef, although only breaking crests. The inner reef is partly standing-depth; the waves stay smaller here, but break really hollow and much more radical than their larger siblings. Best waves in a north-north-east to east-north-easterly. The current pulls strongly with the wind, so rig big. Borrby is also a popular launch for kite downwinders to Sandhammaren.

Only a few small, brightly coloured wooden houses hide out in the windswept rocky landscape of Öckerö. The western end of the island is suitably quiet – until autumn storms sweep through, blowing the idyll away. An exposed position means the wind's much stronger here than on the mainland. The reefs are barely submerged though, so it's really a spot for the locals.

The JBSS clubhouse is situated here – the club lays fixed buoys out for summer training, and the Stockholm crowd congregate here in the right conditions. Best winds are northerly and south-westerly, otherwise it’s slightly gusty. There are a few shallow areas, but they’re further out. Kiosk and toilets at the launch.

Kärringviken is the place to be on Torö in north-westerly winds. The narrow sandy beach suits both kiters and windsurfers. There's a small car-park off a gravel road in the woods.

The relatively rocky spots around Götborg are mostly after-work options for local windsurfers. Björlanda Kile has at least a few metres of sand and works regularly, year-round, as a sea breeze strengthens westerly airflows. Watch out for boat traffic on the water – the small shallow area descends into the neighbouring marina’s deep water channel pretty quick. Can get busy in summer, when the tiny launch is also popular with sunbathers.

Nykøbing’s T-shaped headland offers a number of launches, depending on whether you’re after waves or freeride. The exposed north coast normally sees waves when west to north-westerly winds push Kattegat swell over the sandbanks. The wide Nordstrand facing out across Nyrup Bay isn't just the area’s best break, but also its most beautiful.

In northerly storms Stockholmers make the 150km pilgrimage to Rullsand, 15km east of Gävle. The break is in the Dalälven estuary where powerful waves roll over the deposited sandbars. Just don’t underestimate the current near the rivermouth! The next bay to the east in front of the campsite is more protected and has a large standing-depth area – but watch out for numerous rocks in the water.

Although the waves aren’t this region’s best, Hornbæk’s always been very popular. Perhaps that’s down to the white sandy beach with easy parking right by it. Head east out of town, then turn left into woods about 150m past the petrol station.

A good Baltic Sea break, where less experienced wavesailors can also improve. The waves aren’t so big, but they’re clean and steep; ideal for frontside waverides and big jumps. South-westerly blows perfectly cross-shore, but forget it in a southerly as waves won't develop. Take care getting in and out of the water in front of the lifeguard tower, as an old groyne lurks just underwater.

In front of the windsurfing club south of the harbour, a beautiful sandy beach awaits flat-water fans. The hot showers are well appreciated in the colder months too.

While conditions here are usually relaxed on very shallow, flat waters, a strong north to north-westerly can treat more advanced riders to decent 1-1.5m ramps. Several campsites and restaurants so close to the town centre make for some lively beach-life. There's nightlife nearby too, as Borgholm is just 4km away.

An offshore sandbank produces a 'full-grown’ beach-break in this wide sandy bay. The current isn’t particularly strong, but still requires some experience – that’s probably why it’s not often ridden.

This one’s tailor-made for photoshoots when the sun’s shining: turquoise water over a sandy seabed. Depending on windstrength, it's freestyle or a bit of wave action backed by beautiful heather and dune scenery. Just don't bother in summer as it fills up with sunbathers!

Gnisvärd has a certain charm – riding here in the sunset’s fading light is particularly satisfying. The water stays perfectly flat on the inside, while over the reef you can ride clean waves in a north-westerly wind. Try to scope out the reef's shallow sections on your first run – the further north you ride, the flatter it gets.

Midway between Fårö and Visby, a good beach-break develops at Ireviken in strong north-westerlies. West-north-westerly storms can produce Baltic Sea epics, although conditions get tough as the onshore wind is pretty gusty inshore – it gets more consistent further out. In less wind, it's half as gnarly though.

This second spot with a Venturi effect is pretty close to Stockholm’s city centre, so it’s no surprise there’s a surf-club here too. The bay is surrounded by high rocky cliffs yet regularly works in a north-west or south-easterly. The water stays especially smooth in the former, although the sea temperature can plummet quickly. It’s choppy in a south-easterly, but a sea breeze strengthens the wind in good weather.

The waves here are incredibly clean by Swedish standards – even in onshore west-north-westerly wind, the headland on the edge of the bay arranges them into orderly sets. Best in starboard tack cross-shore north-easterly – if it’s been blowing strong northerly before veering north-east, waves can hit 3-4m.

This cosy little town is a former Royal residence with ancient ruins that 20,000 inhabitants proudly call the cultural capital of South Sjælland. 'Ore Strand’, west of the town centre, benefits from a Venturi effect as west to north-westerlies accelerate through the strait between Sjælland and Falster. Meanwhile the little island of Masnedø offers some shelter downwind.

Works best with west-south-west to west-north-westerly winds, offering surprisingly good ramps for jumping. Definitely one of Stockholm's best windsurfing spots.

Vilshärad deserves some respect as 2m-plus waves regularly break over a sandbank here – 4m is possible if a westerly storm backs southerly, with port-tack cross-shore wind. To the south of a beautiful long beach, this spot's almost as charming as the little chapel on the point. The wind here's often stronger and starts earlier than elsewhere in this area. Launching is possible in a west-north-westerly up towards 'Haverdahl’ at the northern end of the beach, but look out for a few submerged rocks about 50m offshore just a half-metre underwater. Talk to the locals before heading out!

Near Åkersberga, Bredviksbadet offers good freeride and freestyle conditions – even small wind-waves if it blows hard enough. Local amenities include toilets, showers and a kiosk.

Flommen offers similar conditions to 'Skanörs Hamn', but without a breakwater. South of the golf course, kiting is prohibited in yet another nature reserve.

The south-eastern tip of Sweden is a remote area. If that's why you're on holiday here, or you fancy a detour on the way to Öland or Gotland, you can get on the water in Torhamnsfjord. There's even a windsurf club – parking and rigging are near the launch area, which is just a narrow ramp. In summer, you'll have to wade out 20m through the swimming area before you're officially allowed to sail, but then nothing stands in the way of some freestyle fun for several kilometres. In south-west to westerly winds you can ride near the shore in shallow waters all the way to the kite spot at 'Udde'. Yellow buoys mark a few larger rocks.

With its large standing-depth area, this is a perfect spot for flat-water fans. Windsurfers use the northern launch for easy parking at the water. It’s a good idea to pack a weed-fin. Kiters launch further south at the campsite, where there's loads of space on the field and wide sandy beach. Buoys mark the swimming zone by the bridge, the school area is to the south. Parking fees in summer.

Stockholm’s answer to 'The Gorge’ enjoys Sweden’s most reliable sea breeze. When the sun shines, all southerly airflows gradually accelerate through the funnel-shaped bay of Södertälje to decent planing levels as the day draws on. Fituna benefits most from this, and the scenery is delightful too, hence it’s one of Stockholm's favourite spots. If the wind backs south-easterly, the climbing centre at the cliff by the car-park is always an option – or head to nearby 'Skanssundet'.

This quality freeride spot enjoys a strong south-easterly sea breeze in spring and summer – and in such flat surroundings, it works well in an easterly too. The shallow water is often warm, but occasionally choppy. The rocks are only marked with buoys near Malmö Windsurfing Club, where there are showers and toilets. Plus a "Kitesurfing is prohibited" sign – but don't panic, it's a relic of the past: kiters stay east of the blue flag, windsurfers keep west.

A good place to work on your freestyle, as a large shallow area (500m x 500m) makes for fast crash recoveries and the water warms-up quickly in spring. But it’s not for the squeamish as the nearby harbour is a real eyesore – both visually and environmentally. You needn't eat the fish they catch here, but you do have to pay heed to the nets. This is the only spot around here that also works in an easterly, albeit fairly gusty because of the building development.

There are only two wind directions for big waves here; westerly or southerly. Nybrostrand's pretty powerful beach-break and moderate current demand wavesailing experience. A quality beach in very beautiful surroundings and – like all over Skåne – very clean water.

In the north-west of the island, Åminne works particularly well in an easterly wind, which is strengthened by a sea breeze. The wide beach offers lots of space, and anyone not lured back to Visby can rent a cottage or pitch a tent at the nearby campsite.

Trulsa Gata is the kite spot in Läjet bay. The shallow launch area is great for freestyle, while bigger waves beckon further out. And don't worry about the cows occasionally walking over to lick salt off kites lying on the grass! In the south of the bay, a jetty organises beautiful waves into lines with plenty of space between them – really nice kickers. If the wind dies off it’s good for longboard surfing.

Nedre Ålebäck on the east coast offers action on rare north-east or south-easterly days. The reef-break is brilliant for jumping, but be careful as some of the rocks are barely submerged. Parking near the beach and a grassy rigging area make it feel very comfortable, but don’t let that fool you – there's nothing here for beginners.