Teguise (Lanzarote)
Beach breakAll levels
A 6 km beach below the Famara cliffs: Lanzarote's surf hub and its best place to learn.
The main season runs from October to March, when North Atlantic storms send north-west swell to the north and west coasts. In summer the north-east trade winds blow hard, ruining many north shores but turning Fuerteventura, Pozo or El Médano into windsurf and kite paradises; the south coasts then get the southerly swells. The reefs are sharp: booties are highly recommended, and so is total respect for the locals, who surf these waves all year.
Map
La Santa (Lanzarote)
ReefExpert
A lava reef on Lanzarote's north coast, with powerful rights and lefts.
La Santa (Lanzarote)
ReefExpert
One of the heaviest lefts in Europe: barrels over lava in front of La Santa harbour.
Corralejo (Fuerteventura)
Point breakIntermediate
A very long right point on the Isla de Lobos, off Corralejo.
Corralejo (Fuerteventura)
ReefIntermediate
The closest reef to Corralejo, with rights and lefts and lots of people.
Majanicho (Fuerteventura)
ReefIntermediate
The best-known left on Fuerteventura's north coast, on the Majanicho track.
La Oliva (Fuerteventura)
ReefAll levels
A fishing bay on the North Shore with soft rights, ideal for progressing.
La Oliva (Fuerteventura)
Beach breakAll levels
The sandy beach on Fuerteventura's west coast, sheltered from the trade winds.
La Oliva (Fuerteventura)
Beach breakIntermediate
An isolated sand cove on the west coast, with a quality beach break.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
ReefExpert
For many, the best barrelling right in Europe, right in the city of Las Palmas.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Beach breakBeginner
The southern end of Las Canteras beach: soft waves and surf schools in the city.
Gáldar (Gran Canaria)
ReefExpert
One of the heaviest waves in the Canaries, a world bodyboarding mecca.
San Bartolomé de Tirajana (Gran Canaria)
Beach breakBeginner
Southern Gran Canaria's big tourist beach, with soft waves in summer.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Anaga)
ReefIntermediate
A black-sand beach in the Anaga massif, with waves over rock and sand.
Playa de las Américas (Tenerife)
ReefExpert
The Playa de las Américas left: fast, short and intense over volcanic rock.
Granadilla de Abona (Tenerife)
ReefAll levels
Tenerife's windsurf capital, with easy waves in its southern bays.
Conditions at a glance
| Spot | Wave type | Level | Best swell | Best wind (offshore) | Tide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Famara | Beach break | All levels | NW, W, N | SE, S, E | Mid to high |
| San Juan | Reef | Expert | N, NW | S, SE, SW | Low to mid |
| El Quemao | Reef | Expert | NW, W | S, SE, SW | Mid |
| Isla de Lobos | Point break | Intermediate | NW, N | S, SE, E | Low to mid |
| Rocky Point | Reef | Intermediate | NW, N | SE, S | Mid |
| El Hierro | Reef | Intermediate | N, NW | S, SE | All tides |
| Majanicho | Reef | All levels | NW, N | S, SE | Rising |
| El Cotillo | Beach break | All levels | W, NW | E, NE, SE | Mid |
| Esquinzo | Beach break | Intermediate | W, NW, SW | E, NE | Low to mid |
| El Confital | Reef | Expert | N, NW | S, SE, E | Mid to high |
| La Cícer (Las Canteras) | Beach break | Beginner | NW, N, W | E, SE | All tides |
| El Frontón | Reef | Expert | N, NE, NW | S, SW, SE | Mid to high |
| Playa del Inglés | Beach break | Beginner | S, SW, SE | N, NE, NW | Mid |
| Almáciga | Reef | Intermediate | N, NW, NE | S, SE, SW | Mid |
| La Izquierda (Spanish Left) | Reef | Expert | NW, W | E, NE, SE | All tides |
| El Médano | Reef | All levels | S, SE, E | N, NW | All tides |
Indicative information gathered from surf guides and surfers' experience. Conditions change with the sandbanks: check the forecast and ask at the beach.
Which wetsuit to bring
The water is around 18 °C in winter and 22 °C in late summer.
3/2 wetsuit
For water from 17 °C.
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Long-sleeve UPF50 rash guard
For summer days without a wetsuit, and against the sun.
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Shapers in the Canary Islands
Order a board designed for these waves from a local shaper.