El Médano
Tenerife's windsurf capital, with easy waves in its southern bays.
El Médano is a town in southern Tenerife famous for windsurfing and kiting, thanks to the strong trade winds. In the main bay there's a left over a rock bottom for all levels, and in a second bay, with a rock-free sand beach, small waves for learning.
The waves come mainly with south or east swells, less frequent than the northerly ones.
Spot facts
| Wave type | Reef |
|---|---|
| Direction | Left |
| Level | All levels |
| Best swell | S, SE, E |
| Best wind (offshore) | N, NW |
| Tide | All tides |
| Size | 0.5–1.5 m |
| Best season | Summer, with south or east swell |
| Crowd | Heavy |
| 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 funboard, longboard or minimalibu. How many litres? Work out your volume with the volume calculator.
What to bring to surf El Médano
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 AmazonThe safest, easiest board to learn on here.
View on AmazonKeeps your board from drifting off or hitting someone.
View on AmazonHold and smooth turns for a single fin.
View on AmazonThe three-fin set for a shortboard.
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
Surfers, windsurfers and kitesurfers mix; one report mentions localism. Respect each other's zones.
Surfing style
Easy waves.
Hazards
Rocks in the main bay and windsurf and kite boards.
Map
Shapers near El Médano
Order a board designed for these waves from a local shaper.
Other spots nearby
Playa de las Américas (Tenerife)
The Playa de las Américas left: fast, short and intense over volcanic rock.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Anaga)
A black-sand beach in the Anaga massif, with waves over rock and sand.
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.
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.