Surfing in Algeria – History, Surf Spots, and Guide
If you are here to learn about surfing in Algeria, then you have come to the right place. Algeria, if your searching for a legendary session, does have potential. Check out this video, if you have doubts. Read through this article if your curiosity has been piqued.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction to Surfing in Algeria
2. History of Surfing in Algeria
3. Known Surf Spots in Algeria
4. Understanding Mistral Winds and Best Surfing Season
5. Three Things To Do Besides Surfing
6. Concluding Notes on Algerian Surfing
Chapter 1: Introduction to Surfing in Algeria
Surfing in Algeria is about as far from the warm water Bali bsed surf resort bubble as you can get. If you’re tired of the overhyped, crowded lineups in Morocco or Portugal, this is where you go for a real adventure. The waves, may not match the potential, but it is a country not explored to its fullest potential. Check out the video below if you don’t believe me;
Algeria has a massive coastline with over 1,000 miles of Mediterranean energy that stays mostly untouched. Just make sure that your expectations are in the right location. You will not find surf shops on every corner, so you gotta bring your own wax.
It’s incredibly inexpensive once you’re there, think cheap street food and budget guesthouses, but the cost is the effort it takes to scout the coast. As I pointed out in my article about skiing in Algeria, may not be the best, but for surfing, this may be a different answer.
Chapter 2: History of Surfing in Algeria
Surfing in Algeria doesn’t have the deep commercial roots of places like Biarritz or Taghazout, but it’s been a grassroots movement since the late 1960s and 70s. It originally kicked off with a handful of French expats and local Algerians who were influenced by the global surf culture explosion. The French seem to always be on it for stuff like this.
For a long time, the scene was basically invisible to the outside world, existing as a small community of friends sharing a few beat-up boards and exploring the Mediterranean coast on their own terms. Alergia, became part of the International Surfing Association in recent years.
The Algerian Civil War, so-called the Black Decade, of the 1990s stalled everything, making the coast inaccessible and keeping the culture in a state of stasis. However, the last fifteen years have seen a massive revival in regards to the surfing culture. The birth of the Algeria Surf Club is helping revatilize the sport and bring it to the general pubic. At the end of the day, the history of surfing in Algeria is a bit obscure, but regardless of the history, it is growing in interest now a days.
Chapter 3: Known Surf Spots in Algeria:
Surfing in Algeria lacks the popularity and blown-up locations as other locations. So, its surfing scene, as previously mentioned is still up-and-coming. Although there are some popular, if you can call that, as they are easily accesible online.
Like I wrote in my Surfing in Greece Article, as with other countries on the Mediterrean Sea, the waves are not typically the most powerful. Rather wind choppy and quick waves. So, scoring a good session is all the more difficult. But, regardless here are some spots you should check out if you are on the road checking out the coastline.
Algiers Region (Central)
Decaplage (Deca Plage):
The most famous spot. It’s just a huge sandbar, that sometimes has good waves, depending on the swell. But, mostly just catches a ton of wind for windsurfing, as shown in the video below.
Les Canadiennes:
Located near Ain Taya, this beach break handles Mistral swells well and is a go-to when the central coast starts working.
Surcouf:
Another reliable beach break in the same stretch as Decaplage, known for a dedicated local community.
Sidi Fredj:
Located west of Algiers, and is just another sandbar that picks up some of that fickle Med swell.
Annaba & The Far East (Kabylie)
Ain Barbar:
Same thing as most the other waves, just a beach that probably gets good once in the blue moon. Check out this video to snag a very bad example of its potential.
Plage Mordjane:
Just a Tunisian border wave, features the same sandbar potential as the rest of the waves.
Tipaza:
Beach break per usual, but maybe you will score the right bar for some good waves.
Oran:
Another beach break, so I will save you from the spill. Maybe score or not.
Final Notes on Surf Spots
As you can see, there is a ton of coastline avaliable to surf in Algeria, although most of it consists of beach breaks, that can have some awesome waves, but will depend on a matter of luck. If the sand is right then its all fun!
Chapter 4: Understanding Mistral Wind and Best Surfing Season
You are most likely to score some waves during November and December in Algeria. So, the best season for surfing in Algeria is November and December.
Surfing in Algeria is concentrated along the Mediterranean coast, with the most reliable swells hitting the central and eastern regions. This is due to the Mistral wind. That is, wind that sweeps down from South of France into the Mediterranean, creating a handful of the swells. Low-pressure system creation and the rest.
Chapter 5. Concluding Notes on Algerian Surfing
Food:
When you’re done with a cold winter session, hunt down some Karantita. It’s the ultimate coastal street food in Algeria. Its a chickpea pie that supposedly smacks.
Location:
Check out the Roman ruins of Tipasa, located right on the edge of the Mediterranean. Rumors have it that there’s a decent beach break nearby, so you can scout for swell while walking through 2,000 years of history.
Cultural Thing:
If you’re there in January, try to catch the Yennayer (Berber New Year) celebrations. Summed up, its the Algerian New Years celebration!
Chapter 6: Concluding Notes on Surfing in Algeria
The trip is up to you or not. If you are looking for something differen’t, inexpensive, a little dangerous, then Algeria could be the location to go to for a surfing expedition.
If you need more inspiration then feel free to check out the video below!
I hope you catch a good session in Algeria if you head down that way!