Water sports in Spain

The 2026 International Descent of the Sella River now has a date. The 88th edition is here to once again bring together sport, tradition, and celebration in Asturias for one of Spain's most renowned canoeing competitions.

Spain has come out particularly well in TUI Musement’s latest ranking of the best European islands for water sports, with several destinations placed in the top 10.TUI Musement analysed search data across more than 500 European islands, looking at interest in activities including surfing, diving, ka

Spain is one of the best countries in Europe for water sports, and not just in summer.

Surfing in Spain is not all about those daunting waves you see the pros catching.

When most people picture Spain, they might think of flamenco and long, sunny lunches. But for those in the know, it’s a proper surf destination with some of Europe’s best waves. The country’s coastline is incredibly varied.

When it comes to surfing in Europe, Spain is a fantastic all-rounder. The country has three distinct coastlines to explore: the powerful Cantabrian Sea up north, the warmer Atlantic shores down south, and even some surprisingly fun waves along the Mediterranean coast.

Spain is one of those places that gets a bit of a reputation for being all about sunbathing on the beach, sipping on a glass of sangria as the gently waves lap at your feet.

Ask around in Spain’s wild swimming community and you’ll quickly learn that this country is about more than just its sun-drenched coast. Spain's rich mix of emerald-green rivers, sparkling mountain gorges and hidden lagoon-like pools means wild swimming isn't just a summer escape.