Overview
Faro Island, or Fårö ("Sheep Island"), sits off the northern tip of Gotland and squeezes a huge swell window into a small island, with many breaks facing different directions. Waves peel over uneven reef and sand along several sandy beaches, throwing both lefts and rights. The island is scattered with raukar, the striking limestone formations, and peaks set up right in front of them.
When It Works
With so many beaches pointing different ways, there is usually somewhere worth checking. Faro Island draws swell from south to west (S-W), and the working size runs from 0.3 m / 1 ft to 2.4 m / 8 ft. Aursviken breaks left in west through north (W-N) winds, which also switch on Ekeviken, while Sudersandsviken and Norsta Auren are both worth a look.
Wind and Tide
Look for northeast (NE) offshore wind. The waves can work across low, mid, and high tide, with a rising tide generally the better call.
Local Tips
The gentle beach peaks make Fårö a welcoming place for beginners to find their feet.
Access
Reach the island on the free ferry from Fårösund. Only recently opened up to foreign visitors, it has a summer youth hostel and camping if you want to stay close to the waves.
