Somo beach is a stretch of golden sand about 2,000 metres long and 80 wide, in Ribamontán al Mar. It has a surf school, lifeguards, showers and parking, and from Bareyo it's a little over half an hour by car.
Somo is the big beach on the Bay of Santander, open to the Cantabrian Sea. When people talk about «going to Somo» they almost always mean surfing: steady waves, schools right on the sand and a wetsuit-and-board-under-the-arm atmosphere that lasts almost all year.
It isn't a sheltered cove like others in Trasmiera. It is open sea, with swell, wind and lots of sand, so it helps to know what to expect. Here we tell you what it's like, what facilities it has and how to plan the visit from Bareyo.
What Somo beach is like
According to Turismo de España, Somo is 2,000 metres long and 80 wide, with golden sand. Access on foot is easy, and you can also arrive by car and by boat. It is a beach with medium occupancy, in a semi-urban setting, with the town right next to the sand. The swell is strong and it is usually windy, features that suit those who come to surf and call for caution if you only want a swim.
Surfing in Somo: waves and schools
Somo's waves are highly rated by surfers, and there is a surf school next to the beach. If you're a beginner, the sensible thing is to take your first lesson with an instructor: open sea demands a good reading of currents and sets, something you learn from someone who knows the bottom. If you already surf, check the forecast and the tide before going. And if you want to understand when the best season starts, the autumn surf season in Cantabria explains it.
Facilities at Somo beach
Facilities include toilets, showers, foot showers, a tourist office, bins, cleaning service and a sports area. There is parking, with more than a hundred spaces according to InSpain, and lifeguards. The dates and hours of lifeguard cover are set each season by the Town Council, so check them before you go. If you don't see lifeguards or a flag, avoid swimming when the sea is rough.
How to get to Somo from Bareyo
From Bareyo, Somo is a little over half an hour by car, following the Trasmiera coast westwards. From Santander there is an intercity bus, and you can also cross the bay by boat. The nearest road is the CA-141. On sunny weekends and in summer the car park fills up early, so it's best to arrive early.
Somo out of season
Outside summer the beach changes: fewer people, more wind and a sea that calls the shots. It's a good time for a walk along the shore at low tide, watching the surfers or having a coffee in the village. Bring a windproof layer and don't stray from the shoreline when the tide is coming in. If you're after something quieter, you can combine it with Puntal beach in Somo, just a short distance away.
Safety and practical tips
This is a beach with strong swell, so always respect the flags and the lifeguards' instructions. If there is no lifeguard cover, only go in as far as you can touch the bottom. If you're with children, don't take your eyes off them at the water's edge: the slope and the currents on an open beach change with the tide. Check the sea forecast the same day: it changes a lot from one morning to the next. For official beach data, the Somo page at Turismo de España is the reference.
Extending the visit: the village and the bay
The village of Somo sits right next to the beach, which makes it easy to extend your visit without going back to the car. There is a tourist office for information, a sports area on the beach itself and, for those who don't want to drive, the boat that crosses the bay from Santander lets you combine a morning at the beach with an afternoon in the city. It's a useful plan when the weather is changeable: if the sea turns rough, the change of plan is a few minutes away.
What you need to know
Where: Somo, municipality of Ribamontán al Mar. Size: about 2,000 metres long and 80 wide. Sand: golden. Facilities: toilets, showers, foot showers, bins, tourist office, sports area, parking and lifeguards in season. Surf: surf school next to the beach. Getting there: on foot, by car or by boat from Santander. From Bareyo: a little over half an hour by car. Watch out: strong swell and wind, especially outside summer.
«Somo is not a beach to rush into: you look at the sea for a while before going in.»
Somo fits well as a half-day plan from Bareyo: open sea in the morning and back to the Trasmiera coast in the afternoon. That mix of wild beaches and quiet corners is what defines this part of Cantabria. Guests at Bareyo Residences often split their days between the coves nearby and outings like this one, and return to a peaceful village to close the day.
