Guide Lanzarote
Surfing in the Canary Islands: waves & spots
Guide to surfing in the Canary Islands: winter swell season, iconic spots like El Quemao, Famara, El Confital, Playa de Las Américas and tips.
Contents
Revered across the international surf community as the European Hawaii, the Canary Islands are one of the world’s premier surfing meccas. Their prime position in the North Atlantic places them directly in the path of powerful low-pressure groundswells that march across the ocean to unload clean, hollow waves onto volcanic reef shelves and sandy beaches.
The archipelago’s greatest asset is sheer consistency: with 365 days of surfable waves per year, a mild subtropical climate, and water temperatures that never drop below 18 °C, the islands cater to both seasoned pros hunting heavy barreling reefs and complete beginners learning in certified surf academies.
Canary Islands surfing summary
Surf seasons: winter vs. summer
Wave patterns shift markedly across the calendar year:
- Winter season (October to April): The prime window. North Atlantic storms pump powerful groundswells with long wave periods (12 to 16 seconds), awakening premier reef breaks along north and west coasts.
- Summer season (May to September): Northern swells ease, but trade winds and southern ocean swells produce friendly waves on south-facing shores, ideal for longboards and beginner lessons.
Legendary surf breaks across the islands
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El Quemao and Famara (Lanzarote)
El Quemao is a fearsome, hollow left-hand barrel over razor-sharp shallow lava, strictly for expert surfers. In contrast, Famara Beach provides five kilometres of friendly sand beach breaks for all abilities.
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El Confital and La Cícer (Gran Canaria)
In Las Palmas, El Confital produces a legendary barreling right-hander over basalt rock. Across town, La Cícer at Las Canteras beach forms the buzzing hub for city surf schools.
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Playa de Las Américas (Tenerife)
In southern Tenerife, volcanic platforms directly in front of the promenade produce high-quality left and right breaking waves that work across mid and high tides.
Recommended surf lessons in Tenerife
Surf etiquette and reef safety
Things to do on the island
Experiences in Lanzarote
Plans on the island, with duration and price up front.
See all 72 experiences in Lanzarote
