Surfing Chickens: The Complete Guide

Chickens is a reef break located in Lanzarote, Spain, offering a left-hander along the continent's diverse coastline. Chickens is a fun left reef break in the La Santa area that offers hollow waves without the intensity of nearby El Quemao. Rated as advanced difficulty with moderately crowded conditions, this reef break is a worthy destination for surfers looking beyond the usual suspects.

Best Conditions

Swell Direction: The ideal swell direction is NW (315°), with workable conditions from WNW to NNW (290°–340°). Swells outside this window will either miss the break or produce disorganized waves.

Swell Size: Chickens needs a minimum of 1m / 3ft to start working and handles swells up to 2.5m / 8ft before conditions deteriorate.

Swell Period: Look for a swell period of at least 11 seconds, with 14 seconds being the sweet spot. Longer periods deliver more organized, powerful waves with better shape.

Wind: True offshore here blows from the SE (135°). The full offshore range spans E to S (90°–180°). Glassy conditions under 4km/h from any direction also produce excellent surf. Plan for early morning dawn patrol sessions.

Tide: This spot works best at mid tide. Optimal tide range is 0.5m–1.8m.

When to Go

Primary Season: The prime window at Chickens runs October, November, December, January, February, March (Oct–Mar). This is when swell consistency and direction align most reliably with the break.

Season Notes: Hollow waves near La Santa. More forgiving than El Quemao.

Water Temperature: Expect water temperatures around 20°C / 68°F. A shorty or spring suit is recommended for longer sessions.

Getting There

The nearest airport is ACE, roughly 20 minutes by car.

Access: La Santa zone.

Hazards & Tips

Known Hazards:

🪸 Sharp reef — Shallow reef, booties recommended

Safety Tips:

Wear reef booties to protect your feet from sharp coral and rock

Skill Level: This spot is rated advanced (6/10). Crowd Level: Typically moderately crowded (5/10).

Check the Live Forecast

Planning a session at Chickens? Check the live forecast on Strike Mission to see today's conditions and the 10-day outlook. Our Strike Score algorithm rates this spot from 0 to 100 every day, factoring in swell direction, size, period, wind, and tide — so you know exactly when to paddle out.

Don't leave your next surf trip to chance. Let the data tell you when Chickens is firing.

*Conditions data sourced from Strike Mission's verified spot database.*