El Palo (Peñón del Cuervo)
Gravel-and-rock coves east of Málaga that work with an easterly.
Between El Palo and the Peñón del Cuervo, east of the city, there are small gravel-and-rock coves. With an easterly swell and the terral wind they give waves with a bit more push than the western beaches.
It's where surfers from eastern Málaga go when an east swell comes in.
Spot facts
| Wave type | Beach break |
|---|---|
| Direction | Lefts and rights |
| Level | Intermediate |
| Best swell | E, SE |
| Best wind (offshore) | N, NW |
| Tide | All tides |
| Size | 0.5–1.5 m |
| Best season | Autumn to spring |
| Crowd | Medium |
| Localism | Medium |
Surf forecast
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Hour-by-hour forecast for 14 days, with stars for your board and level, and the whole site without ads.
Model forecast for open water a few kilometres offshore: it can't see sandbanks or the shelter of headlands and jetties. The rating (0–5) is worked out from this spot's ideal swell and wind. Use it as a guide and check the sea before paddling out. Data: Open-Meteo (DWD, ECMWF; CC BY 4.0)
Which board to bring
A shortboard or fish; a funboard if it's small. How many litres? Work out your volume with the volume calculator.
What to bring to surf El Palo (Peñón del Cuervo)
The water is around 15 °C in winter and 23 °C in late summer. This is what we'd bring for this spot's water, level and boards.
The autumn-to-spring suit for water at 12–16 °C.
View on AmazonFor water from 17 °C.
View on AmazonKeeps your board from drifting off or hitting someone.
View on AmazonThe classic fish fins: speed in soft waves.
View on AmazonWarm-water wax won't grip in this water.
View on AmazonAmazon affiliate links: if you buy through them, Shapers Europe earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Localism and vibe
A neighbourhood local crew. Watch before paddling out.
Surfing style
Short waves over gravel and rock.
Hazards
Rocks and a stony shore.
Map
Shapers near El Palo (Peñón del Cuervo)
Order a board designed for these waves from a local shaper.
Other spots nearby
Málaga
Málaga city's surf beach, beside the old Misericordia chimney.
Vélez-Málaga (Málaga)
A long Axarquía beach with groynes and soft waves in an easterly or westerly.
Almuñécar (Granada)
A horseshoe-shaped bay on the Costa Tropical that wakes up with a westerly.
Almería
The long beach of San Miguel de Cabo de Gata village, open to westerly swell.
All spots in Mediterranean Andalusia →
Indicative information gathered from surf guides and surfers' experience. Conditions change with the sandbanks: check the forecast and ask at the beach.