El Quemao
One of the heaviest lefts in Europe: barrels over lava in front of La Santa harbour.
El Quemao is a left that breaks over a lava slab in front of the small harbour of La Santa. With a north-west swell it produces very heavy barrels and holds over 4–5 m; it's one of the most famous waves in the Canaries.
You paddle in and out from the harbour. A mistake here is costly.
Spot facts
| Wave type | Reef |
|---|---|
| Direction | Left |
| Level | Expert |
| Best swell | NW, W |
| Best wind (offshore) | S, SE, SW |
| Tide | Mid |
| Size | 1.5–5 m |
| Best season | October to March |
| Crowd | Medium |
| 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; a gun on big days. Booties and a helmet are recommended. How many litres? Work out your volume with the volume calculator.
What to bring to surf El Quemao
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
Strong localism: locals have surfed this wave for decades. If you're not at barrel level, watch from the quay.
Surfing style
Heavy reef barrels.
Hazards
Sharp lava, shallow water and currents.
Map
Shapers near El Quemao
Order a board designed for these waves from a local shaper.
Other spots nearby
La Santa (Lanzarote)
A lava reef on Lanzarote's north coast, with powerful rights and lefts.
Teguise (Lanzarote)
A 6 km beach below the Famara cliffs: Lanzarote's surf hub and its best place to learn.
Corralejo (Fuerteventura)
A very long right point on the Isla de Lobos, off Corralejo.
Corralejo (Fuerteventura)
The closest reef to Corralejo, with rights and lefts and lots of people.
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.