K4, Sylt

People used to ride in front of the Sansibar, but nowadays they leave it to the jet-set revellers – at most it's a good place to end downwinders. K4 has since become the island's prime wave spot in north or southerly winds. For a start you can park (for free!) nearby, and there's plenty of space on the beach. Furthermore, it's rarely busy on the water and there are no groynes – just keep an eye out for the occasional gill-net. Even though the longshore current can be brutal, it seems to spare K4 a bit; you can feasibly sail anywhere along the west coast, but the shape of these sandbars produces a relatively clean break inside deeper waters beyond. The vibe's good too: the sea shimmers green over a sandy seabed and the expansive dune landscape will make your day, suspending any prejudice against Sylt for a couple of hours.