The 5 best countries to surf in April
01 · At its best
Spain
Lanzarote and Galicia are at their best in April, and Basque Country, Fuerteventura and Asturias are also good. In Lanzarote (Oct-Apr): biggest, most consistent NW-N swell, dry warm climate.
In Galicia (Sep-Apr): wide-open Atlantic swell window, consistent and powerful. If you're learning, the gentlest waves are at Arrieta, Famara and Pantín. On the north coast the water is cold and a 4/3 wetsuit with boots is the norm; the Canaries are a few degrees warmer, and a 3/2 is enough there.
02 · At its best
Portugal
The Algarve and Porto & the North are at their best in April, and Lisbon Coast, Azores and Ericeira are also good. In The Algarve (Oct-Apr): consistent NW-W swell, mild Algarve winter, fewer crowds.
In Porto & the North (Sep-Apr): consistent swell from multiple directions, cold but reliable. If you're learning, the gentlest waves are at Amado, Monte Clérigo and Odeceixe. The Atlantic is cold at this time of year, so you'll want a 4/3 wetsuit.
03 · At its best
France
Finistère (Brittany) is at its best in April, and Landes (Hossegor), Côte Basque and Gironde are also good. In Finistère (Brittany) (Sep-Apr): wide swell window catches groundswell from most directions.
In Landes (Hossegor) (Apr-Jun, Sep): reliable swell, milder crowds. If you're learning, the gentlest waves are at Porsmilin, Le Minou and La Sud. Bring a 4/3 wetsuit, and boots and gloves if you feel the cold, especially in Brittany.
04 · At its best
Costa Rica
Guanacaste is at its best in April, and Golfo de Nicoya, Central Puntarenas and Golfo Dulce are also good. In Guanacaste (Dec-Apr): dry season, offshore mornings, sunshine, clean NW-fed 3-4ft waves almost daily.
In Golfo de Nicoya (Dec-Apr): dry season, cleaner conditions and WNW pulses, though smaller than the summer swell. If you're learning, the gentlest waves are at Playa Grande, Tamarindo and Ostional. No wetsuit needed: the water is warm, and a rash vest or a thin top protects you from the sun.
05 · At its best
Panama
Southwest Panama is at its best in April, and West Panamá Province is also good. In Southwest Panama (Apr-Jun): s-SW swell arriving, offshore mornings, Santa Catalina firing almost daily.
In West Panamá Province (Apr-Jun): s-SW swell building; the narrow window means it's smaller than Santa Catalina. If you're learning, the gentlest waves are at Sandbar, Hawaiisito (Little Hawaii) and Panamá La Vieja. The water is warm on both coasts, so leave the wetsuit at home.
The rest
Morocco still has some surf in April, mainly in Aglou & Sidi Ifni, but the five above are a better bet. Indonesia still has some surf in April, mainly in Java, but the five above are a better bet.