10-day surf forecast with Strike Scores for El Quemao, La Santa, Lanzarote, Spain
El Quemao is the "Pipeline of Europe"—a thick, square-barreling left that breaks over ultra-sharp volcanic lava reef in La Santa, Lanzarote. The wave produces some of the heaviest tubes in the Atlantic, with a reputation for serious consequences over the brutal reef. Localism is extreme and deeply ingrained. The Canary Island setting offers warm water and consistent winter swells, but earning respect at El Quemao takes time and commitment. This is European barrel surfing at its most intense.
Best day in the forecast: 2026-08-05 with a score of 0/100 (Poor)
Poor conditions overall: Average score 0/100. Look for spots with better forecasts.
No alignment: Swell from 53° is outside workable range 280°-350°. Wrong swell direction for this spot.
Too small: 0.9m is below minimum 1.8m. Waves will be weak/mushy.
Short period: 10s is below minimum 12s. Windswell-dominated (choppy, weak waves).
Onshore/cross-shore: 26 km/h from 27° (NNE). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 90°-180°.
-10 points: Previous days of onshore wind left residual chop ("morning sickness"), reducing wave quality.
-7 points: Short-period windswell is present, creating choppy, disorganized conditions.
Poor conditions at El Quemao. Either swell direction (53°), size (0.9m), or wind (26 km/h from 27°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
0.9m (3.0ft) swell from 53° (NE) at 10s period
Local wind-generated waves (choppy, short-period)
No alignment: Swell from 40° is outside workable range 280°-350°. Wrong swell direction for this spot.
Too small: 1.2m is below minimum 1.8m. Waves will be weak/mushy.
Short period: 11s is below minimum 12s. Windswell-dominated (choppy, weak waves).
Onshore/cross-shore: 26 km/h from 24° (NNE). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 90°-180°.
-17 points: Previous days of onshore wind left residual chop ("morning sickness"), reducing wave quality.
-5 points: Short-period windswell is present, creating choppy, disorganized conditions.
Poor conditions at El Quemao. Either swell direction (40°), size (1.2m), or wind (26 km/h from 24°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
1.2m (3.9ft) swell from 40° (NE) at 11s period
No alignment: Swell from 24° is outside workable range 280°-350°. Wrong swell direction for this spot.
Too small: 1.4m is below minimum 1.8m. Waves will be weak/mushy.
Onshore/cross-shore: 23 km/h from 14° (NNE). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 90°-180°.
-21 points: Previous days of onshore wind left residual chop ("morning sickness"), reducing wave quality.
Groundswell-dominant conditions (clean, long-period waves).
Poor conditions at El Quemao. Either swell direction (24°), size (1.4m), or wind (23 km/h from 14°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
1.4m (4.6ft) swell from 24° (NNE) at 10s period
No alignment: Swell from 19° is outside workable range 280°-350°. Wrong swell direction for this spot.
Too small: 1.6m is below minimum 1.8m. Waves will be weak/mushy.
Onshore/cross-shore: 23 km/h from 4° (N). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 90°-180°.
Poor conditions at El Quemao. Either swell direction (19°), size (1.6m), or wind (23 km/h from 4°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
1.6m (5.2ft) swell from 19° (NNE) at 10s period
No alignment: Swell from 17° is outside workable range 280°-350°. Wrong swell direction for this spot.
Short period: 9s is below minimum 12s. Windswell-dominated (choppy, weak waves).
Onshore/cross-shore: 25 km/h from 11° (N). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 90°-180°.
Poor conditions at El Quemao. Either swell direction (17°), size (1.6m), or wind (25 km/h from 11°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
1.6m (5.2ft) swell from 17° (NNE) at 9s period
No alignment: Swell from 20° is outside workable range 280°-350°. Wrong swell direction for this spot.
Too small: 1.5m is below minimum 1.8m. Waves will be weak/mushy.
Poor conditions at El Quemao. Either swell direction (20°), size (1.5m), or wind (25 km/h from 11°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
1.5m (4.9ft) swell from 20° (NNE) at 9s period
No alignment: Swell from 13° is outside workable range 280°-350°. Wrong swell direction for this spot.
Too small: 1.0m is below minimum 1.8m. Waves will be weak/mushy.
Onshore/cross-shore: 25 km/h from 21° (NNE). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 90°-180°.
Poor conditions at El Quemao. Either swell direction (13°), size (1.0m), or wind (25 km/h from 21°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
1.0m (3.3ft) swell from 13° (NNE) at 11s period
Poor alignment: Swell from 354° is 39° off optimal 315°, barely within workable range 280°-350°.
Onshore/cross-shore: 26 km/h from 21° (NNE). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 90°-180°.
Poor conditions at El Quemao. Either swell direction (354°), size (1.2m), or wind (26 km/h from 21°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
1.2m (3.9ft) swell from 354° (N) at 11s period
Very low confidence (8-10 day forecast, conditions may change)
Poor alignment: Swell from 358° is 43° off optimal 315°, barely within workable range 280°-350°.
Too small: 1.3m is below minimum 1.8m. Waves will be weak/mushy.
Onshore/cross-shore: 27 km/h from 24° (NNE). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 90°-180°.
Poor conditions at El Quemao. Either swell direction (358°), size (1.3m), or wind (27 km/h from 24°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
1.3m (4.3ft) swell from 358° (N) at 10s period
Moderate alignment: Swell from 294° is 21° off optimal 315°, workable but not ideal.
Too small: 0.6m is below minimum 1.8m. Waves will be weak/mushy.
Onshore/cross-shore: 25 km/h from 26° (NNE). Destroying wave quality. Offshore range: 90°-180°.
Poor conditions at El Quemao. Either swell direction (294°), size (0.6m), or wind (25 km/h from 26°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
0.6m (2.0ft) swell from 294° (WNW) at 9s period
Open-Meteo Weather API (wind/weather data)