Expert-verified surf spot database with detailed swell/wind parameters, hazards, and travel information
El Confital is Europe's hidden gem—a world-class right-hand barrel breaking over volcanic reef on the northern tip of Gran Canaria, visible from the city of Las Palmas yet somehow remaining relatively uncrowded. When solid north Atlantic swells sweep down from winter storms, this wave produces powerful, hollow tubes that rank among the finest in Europe. The volcanic reef bottom creates predictable, mechanical sections that reward skilled tube riders. Accessible by a short walk from the city, El Confital offers genuine big wave surfing with urban convenience—a rare combination anywhere in the world.
🌋 Canary Islands barrel • Urban world-class right • Volcanic perfection
Works best with swells from 270° (W). Workable range: 270°-340°.
Ideal size: 2.3m. Too small below 1m, too big (closeout) above 3.5m.
Needs at least 10s period. Ideal: 14s+ (long-period groundswell).
Offshore wind from 90° (E). Offshore range: 45°-135°. Best window: morning.
Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May
Best September-May. North Atlantic winter swells.
🪸 Sharp reef, 🪨 Rocks, 👥 Crowded, 👊 Localism
World-class right. Can get crowded. Respect locals.
Swell direction must be within the workable range AND within the spot's coastal orientation. A south-facing beach cannot receive north swells, no matter the size or period.
Offshore wind (blowing from land toward ocean) grooms the wave face. Onshore wind (blowing from ocean toward land) destroys wave quality. Wind tolerance varies by wave type.
Walk from Las Palmas city. Northernmost beach of Gran Canaria.
La Izquierda is the Canary Islands' high-performance showcase—a fast, hollow left breaking over volcanic reef right in the heart of Playa de las Américas' tourist zone. The wave is an improbable gift, offering world-class barrels within walking distance of package-holiday hotels and beach bars. When a winter swell lights up this coast, La Izquierda transforms from dormant reef to machine-like perfection, though the shallow volcanic bottom punishes mistakes severely. The contrast between holiday resort normalcy and serious reef break intensity makes this one of Europe's most surreal surf experiences.
🌋 Canarian perfection • Tourist town treasure • Volcanic intensity
Works best with swells from 225° (SW). Workable range: 180°-270°.
Ideal size: 1.6m. Too small below 0.8m, too big (closeout) above 2.5m.
Offshore wind from 315° (NW). Offshore range: 270°-360°. Best window: morning.
Best October-February. Needs SW-W swell.
🪸 Sharp reef, ⚠️ Shallow, 👊 Localism, 👥 Crowded
Sharp volcanic rocks. Very shallow. Know your exit. Crowded.
15min from Tenerife South airport. Center of tourist town.
La Santa Right is Lanzarote's training ground—a quality right-hand reef break directly in front of the famous Club La Santa sports resort that provides consistent waves for athletes staying at the facility and visiting surfers alike. The volcanic reef creates predictable shape that works best at mid-tide, while the north-facing orientation catches the same winter swells that light up the entire island. Trade winds typically pick up after 10am, so dawn patrol is essential. The sharp lava reef and sea urchins add consequence to every session, but the wave rewards those who come prepared.
🏋️ La Santa sports hub • Lanzarote quality • Dawn patrol essential
Works best with swells from 330° (NNW). Workable range: 300°-355°.
Offshore wind from 180° (S). Offshore range: 140°-220°. Best window: morning.
Winter North Atlantic swells. Trade winds pick up after 10am.
Los Lobos is the longest wave in the Canary Islands, a right-hand point break on the small island of the same name that can offer rides of 500 meters or more when conditions align. The wave breaks over volcanic reef, requiring a boat ride from Corralejo to access. When big N-NW swells arrive, Los Lobos transforms into a world-class wave.
🐺 Canaries' longest wave • 500m rides • Boat access island
Works best with swells from 350° (N). Workable range: 315°-30°.
Ideal size: 2.8m. Too small below 1.5m, too big (closeout) above 4m.
Needs at least 12s period. Ideal: 16s+ (long-period groundswell).
Offshore wind from 180° (S). Offshore range: 150°-220°. Best window: morning.
Winter NW-N swells. Longest wave in Canaries. 500m+ rides possible.
🪸 Sharp reef, 🦔 Urchins, 🚶 Difficult access
Longest wave in Canaries. 500m+ rides possible. Sharp reef, volcanic setting.
90 minutes drive from FUE airport. Requires boat access ($30/day).
El Hierro, also known as The Bubble, is the heaviest wave in the Canary Islands—a shallow, hollow right that has been compared to Pipeline. The wave breaks over volcanic rock just below the surface, producing thick, grinding barrels that close out violently. This is a wave for professionals and experienced chargers only. Multiple serious injuries have occurred here.
💀 Europe's Pipeline • Heaviest Canaries wave • Pros only
Ideal size: 2.5m. Too small below 1.5m, too big (closeout) above 3.5m.
Winter N-NW swells. Pipeline of Europe. Extremely dangerous.
🪸 Sharp reef, ⚠️ Shallow, 😮‍💨 Hold-downs
Pipeline of Europe. Extremely dangerous, heavy slabs. Pros only.
Famara is a 6-kilometer beach break that serves as Lanzarote's surf capital. The dramatic cliffs of the Famara massif provide a stunning backdrop to the multiple peaks that dot the beach. The wave works on all tides and catches plenty of swell, making it one of the most consistent surf spots in the Canaries. Surf schools and camps line the beach, creating a vibrant surf community.
🏔️ 6km beach break • Cliff backdrop • Lanzarote's surf hub
Works best with swells from 330° (NNW). Workable range: 315°-0°.
Needs at least 8s period. Ideal: 12s+ (long-period groundswell).
Offshore wind from 90° (E). Offshore range: 60°-130°. Best window: morning.
Year-round swells. Lanzarote's surf mecca. Multiple peaks along 6km beach.
Lanzarote's surf mecca. Multiple peaks along 6km beach.
Spew Pits is named for the urchin-covered reef that will make you wish you hadn't wiped out. The wave is a hollow reef break that produces fast, punchy barrels, but the shallow, spiky reef demands respect. Located on Fuerteventura's north coast, it picks up plenty of swell and works on multiple conditions.
🦔 Urchin-covered reef • Fast barrels • Respect the spikes
Ideal size: 2.1m. Too small below 1.2m, too big (closeout) above 3m.
Winter N-NW swells. Consistent hollow left near La Santa.
Consistent hollow left near La Santa. Technical.
Ghost Town is a hollow left reef break near the famous El Quemao on Lanzarote's northwest coast. The wave breaks in front of what looks like an abandoned development (hence the name), producing radical, hollow barrels over volcanic reef. It's often less crowded than its famous neighbor, but equally demanding.
👻 Abandoned development • Radical left barrels • El Quemao's neighbor
Winter N-NW swells. Hollow radical near El Quemao.
El Cotillo is a charming fishing village on Fuerteventura's northwest coast with multiple surf spots. The main break produces fun lefts that peel along a cobblestone bottom, with a dramatic shipwreck visible from the lineup. The village has become a surf town, with cafes and accommodation catering to wave riders.
🚢 Shipwreck backdrop • Cobblestone lefts • Surf village charm
Works best with swells from 330° (NNW). Workable range: 300°-360°.
Ideal size: 1.4m. Too small below 0.8m, too big (closeout) above 2m.
Offshore wind from 135° (SE). Offshore range: 100°-180°. Best window: morning.
Year-round swells. Left peeling over cobbles beside shipwreck in port.
Lefts peeling over cobbles beside shipwreck in port.
La Izquierda is a powerful left-hand reef break in Tenerife that produces heavy barrels when north swells hit. The wave breaks in front of what was once a Club Med resort and attracts a committed local crew. The freight-train speed demands respect and expert-level ability.
🚂 Freight-train lefts • Tenerife's heaviest • Local crew territory
Heavy barrels in Playa de las Americas. Freight train left reef.
El Confital is one of the best waves in the Canary Islands and has hosted numerous WSL events. This powerful right-hand reef produces heavy, barreling waves when solid north swells arrive. The local crew is legendary and territorial. When it's on, El Confital rivals any wave in Europe.
🏆 WSL contest venue • Heavy reef barrels • Canaries' premier right
Ideal size: 2.6m. Too small below 1.2m, too big (closeout) above 4m.
Offshore wind from 180° (S). Offshore range: 135°-225°. Best window: morning.
Heavy reef break. Pro-level when big. WSL event venue.
Near Las Palmas. Protected bay near La Isleta.
San Juan is a technical left-hand reef break near the famous La Santa zone. The wave offers consistent hollow sections when north swells hit, with a tricky paddle-out over the reef. A good option for experienced surfers wanting to escape La Santa crowds.
⬅️ La Santa zone left • Consistent hollow • Technical paddle-out
Works best with swells from 315° (NW). Workable range: 290°-340°.
Ideal size: 1.8m. Too small below 1m, too big (closeout) above 2.5m.
Needs at least 11s period. Ideal: 14s+ (long-period groundswell).
Offshore wind from 135° (SE). Offshore range: 90°-180°. Best window: morning.
Chickens is a fun left reef break in the La Santa area that offers hollow waves without the intensity of nearby El Quemao. Named for the local farm chickens, it's a popular option for sampling the La Santa zone without tackling its heaviest waves.
🐔 La Santa option • Hollow but forgiving • Named for farm chickens
Hollow waves near La Santa. More forgiving than El Quemao.
Famara is Lanzarote's postcard wave—a long, powerful beach break beneath the towering Risco de Famara cliffs that define the island's dramatic northern coast. The wave receives consistent North Atlantic swells year-round and can produce everything from mellow longboard walls to heavy, punchy barrels depending on conditions. The volcanic landscape, warm water, and reliable surf make Famara a European winter escape favorite. The afternoon trade winds keep mornings essential for best quality.
🌋 Lanzarote icon • Risco cliffs • Volcanic paradise
Works best with swells from 320° (NW). Workable range: 305°-350°.
Ideal size: 2.4m. Too small below 0.8m, too big (closeout) above 4m.
Needs at least 11s period. Ideal: 15s+ (long-period groundswell).
Offshore wind from 130° (SE). Offshore range: 90°-170°. Best window: morning.
Powerful waves. Strong rips. Afternoon trade winds.
Beach access from village. Dramatic cliff backdrop.
El Confital is the Canary Islands' most celebrated wave—a world-class right-hand reef break on the outskirts of Las Palmas that produces long, powerful barrels when winter North Atlantic swells arrive. The wave has been surfed since the 1960s and helped establish the Canaries as a serious surf destination. The local crew is legendary and protective, the reef is unforgiving, and the power is undeniable. When it's on, El Confital stands among Europe's finest waves.
👑 Canaries crown jewel • World-class right • Las Palmas legend
Works best with swells from 330° (NNW). Workable range: 310°-10°.
Ideal size: 3.3m. Too small below 1.5m, too big (closeout) above 5m.
Needs at least 13s period. Ideal: 17s+ (long-period groundswell).
Offshore wind from 160° (SSE). Offshore range: 120°-200°. Best window: both.
Winter big swells. World-class right when it fires.
🪨 Rocks, 🪸 Sharp reef, 😮‍💨 Hold-downs, 👊 Localism
Sharp reef. Very powerful. Protective local crew. Urban setting.
Surfline, Canary Islands surf federation
Urban reef near Las Palmas port. Local crew heavy.
El Frontón is Gran Canaria's benchmark bodyboard slab, a mutant right-hand reef that detonates over shallow volcanic rock near the north coast. It is a technical, consequence-heavy wave best left to expert bodyboarders and slab specialists, with thick barrels, dry reef sections, and a serious local crew. When NW Atlantic swell and southerly offshore wind line up, it becomes one of Europe's most spectacular heavy-water venues.
Gran Canaria slab • Expert bodyboard wave • NW swell magnet
Works best with swells from 330° (NNW). Workable range: 320°-40°.
Ideal size: 2.5m. Too small below 1.2m, too big (closeout) above 3.7m.
Offshore wind from 160° (SSE). Offshore range: 135°-180°. Best window: morning.
🪸 Sharp reef, ⚠️ Shallow, 👥 Crowded, 🪨 Rocks
Breaks in front of a cliff. Mutant thick barrels. Volcanic lava reef.
Fajã de Santo Cristo is a remote right-hand point on São Jorge in the Azores, set beneath cliffs and reached through a mix of island roads, trails, and local boat options. The wave wraps over rock with long, clean walls when North Atlantic swell finds the right angle. Its isolation is part of the appeal, but the logistics, weather and limited services mean it should be treated as a proper island mission rather than a casual beach stop.
Azores point break • Remote São Jorge setup • Logistics matter
Offshore wind from 110° (ESE). Offshore range: 90°-135°. Best window: both.
Only accessible by foot trail or boat. Remote volcanic reef.
Fly or ferry to São Jorge, then use local road access and foot/boat options depending on conditions; Horta is an inter-island gateway, not a simple drive.