St. Peter-Ording is one of the best-known and most popular water sports destinations on the German North Sea coast. The extensive sandy beach and the offshore sandbanks offer ideal conditions for windsurfers, kitesurfers and surfers. Thanks to the variety of spots, both beginners and advanced surfers will find perfect conditions here.
The main area is located on Ordingen beach, which can be reached by car via a dyke crossing. Water sports enthusiasts can park directly on the beach here, which makes it much easier to transport their equipment. However, it should be noted that there is a charge for both parking and per person. The distance from the car park to the water can be up to 500 metres, depending on the tide.
The conditions in St. Peter-Ording are heavily dependent on the tides. At low tide, shallow tideways form, which are particularly suitable for beginners and novices. Here you can practise your first manoeuvres in calm shallow water. At high tide, waves form in front of the sandbanks, which experienced surfers can use for surfing.
The best wind directions are south-west to north-west. In these conditions, the wind blows diagonally onshore and makes for ideal conditions. The spot works particularly well in the last two hours of the tide when the wind is from the north-west or when the tide is low and the wind is from the south-west. In these phases, the wind and current cancel each other out. Wind from the east comes offshore, but is also surfable due to the wide beach.
Flow and safety
The current in St. Peter-Ording should not be underestimated. When the water is rising, it moves northwards, when it is falling, it moves southwards. Especially when the wind and current are coming from the same direction, there is a risk of drifting. Surfers should therefore always check the tide tables and never go out on the water alone.
The offshore sandbanks offer good conditions for surfers when the wind is favourable. Waves of up to 3 metres in height can build up here if the westerly wind persists. However, reaching the outer banks requires some experience and should only be attempted if you are sufficiently fit.
In addition to the main spot on Ordinger Strand, there are other spots in St. Peter-Ording. The south beach is particularly suitable for surfers in westerly winds, as the wind here comes sideshore from the right. However, a longer walk to the water is necessary here. The southern section of the beach is also used for beach sailing and kite buggies. The Böhl spot offers good conditions for kitesurfers and windsurfers in north-westerly winds, while the south spot is ideal for advanced surfers in south-westerly winds.
Infrastructure and accommodation
Water sports enthusiasts will find a good infrastructure on the beach in St. Peter-Ording. There are toilets, catering facilities and a surf school with hire directly at the spot. Numerous campsites, holiday flats and hotels are available for overnight stays. However, it is not permitted to stay overnight directly on the beach.
In recent years, St. Peter-Ording has established itself as a permanent fixture on the German water sports scene. Competitions such as the German Windsurf Cup are regularly held here. Thanks to the varied conditions, good accessibility and the existing infrastructure, thousands of water sports enthusiasts are drawn to the North Sea coast of Schleswig-Holstein every year.
For beginners, we recommend a course at one of the local surf schools. Here you can not only learn the basics of windsurfing or kitesurfing, but also receive important information about the local conditions and safety advice. Experienced surfers will find a varied area in St. Peter-Ording that works in almost all wind directions and offers both flat water and waves.
