El Quemao
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.
Today's Conditions
Find FlightsLocation & Conditions
Hourly Forecast, Tide & Strike Windows
Tide times today
Strike Score Breakdown
Plan Your Strike
Return flights to ACE, departing today with a 5-day trip window.
Search Flights on SkyscannerLocation & Conditions
Know when Europe is about to fire
Get the best strike windows in Europe — and worldwide — in your inbox every Monday & Thursday. Live Strike Scores, the swell behind them, zero fluff.
¿Prefieres español? Recibe el Strike Report en español, gratis →
Get the full El Quemao trip window
Pro unlocks the 10-day forecast window, unlimited alerts, and custom spot tracking that help turn a good-looking surf report into a better travel decision.
10-day window
See the trip window before flights get expensive.
Unlimited alerts
Let the app watch your score threshold for you.
Custom spots
Track the breaks that actually matter to your travel plans.
Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NW (315°)
- Direction range
- 280° - 350°
- Size range
- 1.8m - 6.1m
- Ideal size
- 4.8m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SE (135°)
- Offshore range
- 90° - 180°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- high
Water temp
20°C
Wetsuit
3/2mm fullsuit
Difficulty
8/10
Crowd level
5/10
👥 Summer Holidays (Jun 20 – Sep 7) — expect extra crowds
Access: Paddle
Frequently Asked Questions
What tide is best at El Quemao?
El Quemao works best on a high tide. The tide chart above shows today’s strike window.
What wind direction is offshore at El Quemao?
Offshore wind at El Quemao blows from the SE (135°). Anything in the 90° to 180° range grooms the faces; outside it, expect chop or bumpy conditions.
What swell size and direction work best at El Quemao?
El Quemao wants NW swell (280° to 350°) between 1.8m and 6.1m, with a period of 14s or more for quality waves.
When is the best time of year to surf El Quemao?
The main season at El Quemao is Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar. Winter (Oct-Mar). Needs NW swells.
How do I get to El Quemao?
Fly into ACE, then allow about 20 minutes by road. Paddle
What kind of wave is El Quemao?
El Quemao is a reef break, a left-hander. Difficulty is rated 8/10.
Best Season
Peak: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Winter (Oct-Mar). Needs NW swells.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
La Santa Right
🏋️ La Santa sports hub • Lanzarote quality • Dawn patrol essential
Famara
🏔️ 6km beach break • Cliff backdrop • Lanzarote's surf hub
Ghost Town
👻 Abandoned development • Radical left barrels • El Quemao's neighbor
San Juan
⬅️ La Santa zone left • Consistent hollow • Technical paddle-out
Chickens
🐔 La Santa option • Hollow but forgiving • Named for farm chickens
Los Lobos
🐺 Canaries' longest wave • 500m rides • Boat access island