El Confital
For many, the best barrelling right in Europe, right in the city of Las Palmas.
El Confital is a right that breaks over a lava slab on La Isleta, a few minutes from central Las Palmas. With a big north or north-west swell it gives hollow, very powerful barrels, and it's considered one of the best rights in Europe.
It needs at least 1.5–2 m to work well.
Spot facts
| Wave type | Reef |
|---|---|
| Direction | Right |
| Level | Expert |
| Best swell | N, NW |
| Best wind (offshore) | S, SE, E |
| Tide | Mid to high |
| Size | 1.5–4 m |
| Best season | October to March |
| Crowd | Heavy |
| Localism | High |
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 performance shortboard or step-up. Booties. How many litres? Work out your volume with the volume calculator.
What to bring to surf El Confital
The water is around 18 °C in winter and 22 °C in late summer. This is what we'd bring for this spot's water, level and boards.
For water from 17 °C.
View on AmazonFor summer days without a wetsuit, and against the sun.
View on AmazonA shortboard leash won't hold in waves of several metres.
View on AmazonThe three-fin set for a shortboard.
View on AmazonRock or urchins on the bottom: protect your feet going in and out.
View on AmazonHarder, so it doesn't melt in the heat.
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 very high level and localism: the island's best surfers and bodyboarders are in the water when it's on. If you're not at barrel level, watch from the shore.
Surfing style
Heavy reef barrels.
Hazards
Sharp lava slab and shallow water.
Map
Shapers near El Confital
Order a board designed for these waves from a local shaper.
Other spots nearby
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
The southern end of Las Canteras beach: soft waves and surf schools in the city.
Gáldar (Gran Canaria)
One of the heaviest waves in the Canaries, a world bodyboarding mecca.
San Bartolomé de Tirajana (Gran Canaria)
Southern Gran Canaria's big tourist beach, with soft waves in summer.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Anaga)
A black-sand beach in the Anaga massif, with waves over rock and sand.
All spots in the Canary Islands →
Indicative information gathered from surf guides and surfers' experience. Conditions change with the sandbanks: check the forecast and ask at the beach.