Surfing in Hanstholm, Cold Hawaii
The five surf spots at the northern end of Cold Hawaii, with skill levels, wind, wetsuits and where to rent a board. Written by people who live here.
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Cold Hawaii is the name for 31 registered surf spots along the North Sea coast of Thy in northwest Denmark, from Agger Tange in the south to Hanstholm in the north.
Hanstholm's coast faces north and northwest, while Klitmøller and Vorupør face west. That gives different waves, wind windows and swell patterns. When Klitmøller is onshore and blown out, Hanstholm can have clean offshore waves. Klitmøller is 15 minutes away by car.
In Hanstholm, a set of surf stairs leads from the Hawskoven woods straight down to the waves at Middles.
The five spots in Hanstholm
Fisken
Also called Fish Factory or Windmill. Beach break. Level: beginner and up
The spot in Cold Hawaii with the most good surf days and the widest appeal. Consistent waves, varied conditions and room for every level. Popular for SUP, with good beginner waves.
Waves: knee-high to overhead. Swell: W, NW. Wind: S, SE (offshore). Bottom: sand. Parking: Kai Lindbergs Gade, Hanstholm Harbour.
Middles
The main windsurf spot. Beach break, mostly lefts. Level: intermediate and up
A known windsurf spot in Cold Hawaii with steep, powerful waves and room to rig. Reached by the surf stairs down from Hawskoven.
Waves: hip-high to triple overhead. Swell: W, NW. Wind: S, SE (offshore). Bottom: sand. Parking: Hawskoven car park.
Watch out: strong northeast-going current along the coast, large rocks and mussels. Give experienced windsurfers priority on the waves.
Fakir
Reef, lefts and rights. Level: intermediate and up
Needs a long swell period to break properly, but rewards you with steep sections, good for SUP and bigger boards. The name comes from the concrete blocks with iron pieces along the edge.
Waves: knee-high to double overhead. Swell: NW, N. Wind: SE, E (offshore). Bottom: rock and metal. Parking: at Fakir, north harbour.
Watch out: concrete blocks with iron pieces in the water and sharp edges below the surface. Wear booties.
Hamborg
Also called Sjoko's or Alian's. Left beach-point break. Level: intermediate and up
Busy in summer and a good alternative when Middles and Fisken are crowded. Plenty of room and good conditions for windsurf and kite.
Waves: hip-high to double overhead. Swell: W, NW. Wind: S, SE (offshore). Bottom: rock with sand. Parking: the car park at Hamborg.
Watch out: rocks in the water, and windsurfers arriving from both sides.
Fishermans Corner
Right sand-point break. Level: experts only
A heavy right-hand barrel that breaks over rocks in about 20 cm of water. The most demanding spot in Hanstholm, only for experienced surfers who know the local conditions well.
Waves: shoulder-high to double overhead. Swell: NE, N. Wind: E, SE (offshore). Bottom: sand and rock. Parking: the harbour, Hanstholm.
Watch out: extremely shallow rocks and a serious risk of injury. Never surf here alone.
When to come
- Summer, June to AugustWater 16 to 18 °C. Gentler waves, consistent at Fisken and Hamborg. Busiest time of year. 3/2 mm wetsuit. Best for beginners.
- Autumn, September to NovemberWater 9 to 16 °C. Stronger Atlantic swells, better waves and fewer people. 4/3 mm plus boots. Widely seen as the best season.
- Winter, December to FebruaryWater 3 to 7 °C. The biggest waves, powerful northwest swells and empty line-ups. 5/4 or 6/5 mm plus hood, gloves and boots. Experienced surfers only.
- Spring, March to MayWater 4 to 10 °C. Swell dropping off, still surfable days and few people. 4/3 mm plus boots and gloves.
Checking the conditions
Local surfers use Surfline for detailed surf forecasts (search for Hanstholm or Cold Hawaii), Windguru for hour-by-hour wind and Windy for a visual overview of wind and waves.
The best combination is a swell from southwest to northwest with offshore wind from the south or southeast. That gives the cleanest waves at Fisken and Middles. A wave height of 1 to 2 metres suits most levels.
Surfing safely
The North Sea is powerful and unpredictable. Know your limits, and never surf the advanced spots alone.
Currents: there is a strong northeast-going current at Middles, and the drift can carry you far from where you started. Know your way out before you paddle out.
Hazards under water: rocks and mussels at Middles and Hamborg, iron pieces at Fakir and extremely shallow rocks at Fishermans Corner. Always wear booties.
Lessons and board rental
There is no surf school in Hanstholm. In Klitmøller, 15 minutes south, you will find Cold Hawaii Surf Camp, Surf Pro Cold Hawaii and WestWind Surf Shop.
The spots further south, around Klitmøller and Vorupør, face west and work in different conditions from Hanstholm. Ask the surf schools in Klitmøller for current advice on those.
Getting here and staying
You will need a car, both to get to Thy and to move between spots. Hanstholm is about 4 hours 50 minutes from Copenhagen, 2 hours 20 minutes from Aarhus and 1 hour 20 minutes from Aalborg. The nearest railway station is in Thisted, 21 km and about 20 minutes away.
Hanstholm has 2,058 residents, a working fishing harbour, supermarkets, places to eat and places to stay, which makes it a good base for the whole of Cold Hawaii.
Questions
Where is Cold Hawaii?
Cold Hawaii is the North Sea coast of Thy in northwest Denmark, with 31 registered surf spots from Agger Tange in the south to Hanstholm in the north.
Which spot in Hanstholm is best for beginners?
Fisken, also called Fish Factory. It has the most consistent and forgiving waves and room to practise. Beginners should avoid Fishermans Corner and Middles.
When is the best time to surf in Hanstholm?
Autumn, from September to November, is widely seen as the best season, with stronger Atlantic swells and fewer people. Winter has the biggest waves but needs experience and good gear.
What wetsuit do I need?
A 3/2 mm in summer, a 4/3 mm with boots in autumn and spring, and a 5/4 or 6/5 mm with hood, gloves and boots in winter. The water rarely gets above 18 °C, even in summer.
Which wind works best?
Offshore wind from the south or southeast gives the cleanest waves at Fisken, Middles and Hamborg. Fakir works with southeast to east, and Fishermans Corner with east to southeast.
Can I rent a board in Hanstholm?
No. There is no surf school or rental in Hanstholm. Drive 15 minutes south to Klitmøller, where Cold Hawaii Surf Camp, Surf Pro Cold Hawaii and WestWind Surf Shop offer lessons and rental.
Something out of date?
We live here and keep this guide current. If a spot has changed or a shop has closed, please let us know.
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