Region 04 · 10 spots
Surfing in
Canary Islands
Canary Islands has 10 spots in The European Surf Atlas, from El Quemao to Las Américas. The best months are Jan, Feb, Nov, Dec, and the water runs from about 18 °C in winter to 23 °C in summer.
- Best months
- Jan · Feb · Nov · Dec
- Water
- 18° / 23°
- Spots
- 10
- Levels
- 2 beginner2 intermediate5 advanced1 expert
Average of all 10 spots. Single spots can work outside the peak.
The spots
- 034El QuemaoLa Santa, Lanzarote · Lava slab
Lanzarote's heaviest left: a shallow lava slab that throws thick barrels on big winter W to NW swell.
Expert only - 035La Santa LeftLa Santa, Lanzarote · Lava reef
Reliable lava-reef left that peels fast and hollow even on smaller swells, a step below El Quemao.
Advanced - 036San JuanLa Caleta de Famara, Lanzarote · Lava reef
Long, powerful left over volcanic reef at the west end of Famara bay, used for WQS contests.
Advanced - 037FamaraPlaya de Famara, Lanzarote · Sand beach
Long sand beach under the Famara cliffs, the island's surf school hub and its most reliable beachbreak.
Beginner to all levels - 038LobosIsla de Lobos, Fuerteventura · Volcanic point
A volcanic right point on an uninhabited islet that can peel for 300 to 400 m when a big swell wraps in.
Advanced to expert - 039MajanichoMajanicho, north Fuerteventura · Reef point
Long, forgiving right off a north-shore reef that stays sheltered when big swells max out the coast.
Intermediate - 040El CotilloEl Cotillo, Fuerteventura · Beach break
West-facing sand peaks below the cliffs that catch every Atlantic swell, mellow in summer and hollow in winter.
All, big days advanced - 041El ConfitalLa Isleta, Las Palmas, Gran Canaria · Reef slab
Wedging, barrelling right over a shallow volcanic ledge, rated among Europe's best rights, minutes from the city.
Advanced, reef savvy - 042El MédanoEl Médano, south Tenerife · Beach and reef
Windy south-east bay where summer S windswell meets Tenerife's kite and windsurf capital.
Beginner in the bay - 043Las AméricasPlaya de las Américas, Tenerife · Lava reef
Hollow lava-reef left at the north end of Tenerife's surf strip, a regular contest venue.
Advanced when overhead
Swell window, offshore wind, tide, size, hazards, access and a Plan B for every spot are on the spot cards in the atlas.
Getting there
Fly to Lanzarote (ACE), Fuerteventura (FUE), Gran Canaria (LPA) or Tenerife (TFS south, TFN north). Fred. Olsen, Naviera Armas and Binter link the islands.
Hire a car per island since buses (guaguas) skip most breaks. Ferries Corralejo to Playa Blanca take about 30 min.
Corralejo or El Cotillo (Fuerteventura), Famara (Lanzarote), Las Palmas near La Cícer (Gran Canaria), El Médano or Las Américas (Tenerife).
The European Surf Atlas
All 10 spot cards for Canary Islands, plus 7 more regions.
The wind table tells you which spot is offshore today, the van and camping rules keep you out of trouble, and every card names a Plan B. 115 pages, €24.90 incl. VAT.