Discover the Premier Surf Breaks of Lanzarote
Unveiling the Island's Most Renowned and Exciting Surf Spots
Key Highlights of Lanzarote Surfing
- Famara Beach: Widely regarded as the best place to learn and offering consistent waves suitable for all levels, from beginners to experienced surfers. Its extensive 6-kilometer stretch ensures there's always room.
- La Santa: Known for its powerful and challenging reef breaks, including the famous "La Santa Left" (The Slab), making it a prime destination for expert surfers seeking intense barrel rides.
- El Quemao: Often referred to as the "European Hawaii" or "Atlantic Hawaiian," El Quemao is a world-class, fast, and hollow reef break that attracts seasoned surfers looking for epic tube rides, particularly during the winter season.
Lanzarote, one of the easternmost Canary Islands, has earned a stellar reputation among the global surfing community. Its volcanic origins and strategic position in the Atlantic Ocean expose it to consistent swells, creating a diverse range of surf breaks suitable for all skill levels. From gentle beach breaks perfect for learning to challenging reef breaks that test the mettle of even the most seasoned pros, Lanzarote truly offers something for every surfer. The island's mild climate allows for year-round surfing, although the prime season for larger swells is generally considered to be from October to April.
Whether you're a complete novice looking to catch your first wave or an experienced rider searching for the next epic barrel, understanding the different surf spots is crucial for planning your trip. This guide will take you through the best surf breaks in Lanzarote, highlighting their characteristics, ideal conditions, and suitability for various surfing abilities.
Famara: The Beginner's Paradise and All-Around Favorite
A Comprehensive Look at Lanzarote's Most Famous Beach Break
Playa de Famara is arguably the most well-known and popular surf spot in Lanzarote, and for good reason. This expansive 6-kilometer golden sandy beach is a true surfing hub, offering consistent waves that cater to a wide spectrum of abilities. It's particularly celebrated as an excellent place for beginners to learn, with numerous surf schools lining the nearby village of Caleta de Famara.
Why Famara is Ideal for Learning
The key to Famara's beginner-friendly reputation lies in its soft beach break. Unlike many other spots on the island, which are characterized by rocky reef bottoms, Famara's sandy seabed provides a safer environment for those new to the sport. The waves here are generally more forgiving, allowing learners to practice catching waves and developing their technique without the added hazard of rocks.
Furthermore, the sheer size of Famara beach means that the waves are spread out across multiple peaks. This helps to disperse the crowds, ensuring that even during busy periods, there's ample space for everyone to enjoy the water and find a suitable spot. Surf lessons are commonly held in the central area of the beach, which is considered the safest zone for novices.
Beyond Beginners: Famara for Intermediates and Experts
While Famara is a beginner's haven, it's not exclusively for those just starting out. The beach offers various peaks that can produce faster waves and even barrels, making it suitable for improvers and experienced surfers as well. The consistent swell window ensures rideable waves throughout the year, adapting to different tides and swell sizes. Famara can handle surf from 2 to 8 feet, providing a dynamic environment that can challenge surfers as they progress.
Caleta de Famara: The Surfer's Village
Adjacent to the beach is the charming fishing village of Caleta de Famara. This town has become a hub for the surfing community, offering a relaxed atmosphere, surf shops, board rentals, and accommodation ranging from apartments to surf hostels. Staying in Caleta de Famara provides easy access to the beach and a vibrant surfing culture.
La Santa and El Quemao: The Experts' Domain
Challenging Reef Breaks for Advanced Surfers
For experienced and expert surfers seeking powerful, world-class waves, the areas around La Santa and El Quemao are the main attractions. These spots are renowned for their intense reef breaks that produce fast, hollow, and often dangerous waves. They have earned Lanzarote the nickname "European Hawaii" due to the quality and power of the surf, reminiscent of some of Hawaii's legendary breaks.
La Santa: The Slab and Beyond
La Santa is famous for its heavy reef break known as "The Slab" (La Santa Left). This wave breaks sharply over a shallow rock reef and is strictly for expert surfers. It's a demanding wave that offers powerful tubes and requires precision and experience. While "The Slab" is the most infamous break, La Santa also offers "El Centrito," a spot more suitable for intermediate surfers with longer, easier waves over a reef bottom, allowing for more maneuvers.
El Quemao: The Pipeline of the Canaries
El Quemao is widely considered the best wave in Lanzarote and is often compared to the legendary Pipeline in Hawaii. This fast, steep, and hollow reef break produces epic tube rides, breaking both left and right over a shallow reef. It leaves no room for error and is exclusively for highly experienced surfers. The best time to surf El Quemao is during the winter season when larger swells arrive, and it works best with an increasing tide and a northwesterly swell.
Other Notable Surf Spots in Lanzarote
Exploring the Island's Diverse Breaks
Beyond Famara, La Santa, and El Quemao, Lanzarote offers a variety of other surf spots, each with its unique characteristics and suitability for different levels and conditions.
Arrieta (La Garita)
Located on the east coast, Arrieta is a good option when the west coast is affected by wind changes. Its waves tend to be smaller than those on the Atlantic coast, making it suitable for intermediate and learner surfers. The beach break in front of the restaurants can be heavy but is very fun when it's working.
Orzola
Situated at the northern tip of Lanzarote, the village of Orzola offers a beginner-friendly beach break with both left and right-hand waves. It's often quieter than Famara and can provide clear, blue water conditions. While there's a main beach break for lessons, nearby Playa de La Cantería also offers potential right-handers.
Jameos del Agua
Located on the northeast coast, Jameos del Agua is known for its long left-hand point break over volcanic rock. It offers a scenic surfing experience but requires care due to the proximity of the rocks. It's a spot better suited for more experienced surfers.
El Cagao
Described as a short, fast reef break of excellent quality, El Cagao is suitable for surfers of all levels, indicating it can handle various swell sizes and provide different sections for different abilities.
El Muelle
El Muelle is a fast and long reef break perfect for barrels and maneuvers, suggesting it's a spot for more advanced surfers looking for performance waves.
El Barco
This spot features incredibly long and mellow left and right reef breaks, making it perfect for longboards, stand-up paddles, and beginner surfers who are starting to ride unbroken waves.
San Juan
San Juan is another well-known surf spot in Lanzarote, particularly noted for its left-hand wave.
Choosing the Right Spot and Time to Surf
Factors to Consider for an Optimal Surfing Experience
Selecting the best surf break in Lanzarote depends heavily on your surfing level, the prevailing swell and wind conditions, and the tide. Lanzarote benefits from consistent swell exposure, but different spots work best under specific conditions.
Seasonal Considerations
While surfing is possible year-round, the most consistent and powerful swells typically arrive during the winter months, from October to April. This is when advanced spots like La Santa and El Quemao are at their best. During the summer, wind swells are more common, providing easier waves at beach breaks like Famara, making it ideal for learners and intermediate surfers. Northeast winds are predominant in the summer and can create fun waves on the east coast.
Tide and Swell Direction
Understanding how tide and swell direction affect each spot is crucial. Some breaks, like El Quemao, work best on an increasing tide with a northwesterly swell, while others may prefer different conditions. Consulting local surf forecasts and guides is highly recommended.
Localism and Safety
Like many popular surf destinations, some of the more challenging reef breaks in Lanzarote can experience localism. It's important to be respectful of local surfers and understand the etiquette of the lineup. Rip currents can also be a hazard, particularly at beach breaks like Famara, so paying attention to safety guides and flags is essential.
Surf Schools and Camps in Lanzarote
Learning and Improving Your Surfing Skills
Lanzarote is an excellent destination for learning to surf or improving your skills, thanks to the abundance of professional surf schools and camps. Many of these are based in or around Caleta de Famara, taking advantage of the beginner-friendly conditions there.
Surf schools typically offer lessons ranging from a few hours to multi-day courses. These often include equipment rental (surfboard and wetsuit) and instruction covering basic techniques, ocean awareness, and safety. Some camps also offer accommodation, providing an immersive surf holiday experience.
Notable surf schools and camps mentioned in the sources include Red Star Surf and Yoga Camp and Lanzasurf SurfSchool & YogaCamp, both located in Caleta de Famara.
This video provides a glimpse into the beauty and surf potential of Famara Beach, highlighting why it's such a popular spot for surfers of all levels.
Beyond Surfing: Exploring Lanzarote
Discovering the Island's Unique Landscape
While surfing is a major draw, Lanzarote offers more than just waves. The island boasts a unique, almost Mars-like volcanic landscape, with national parks, remote beaches, and charming towns. Renting a car is highly recommended to explore the diverse scenery, including the Timanfaya National Park and the lava tubes around Jameos del Agua.
The island also offers other water sports like kitesurfing, with Famara and Jameos del Agua being popular spots, particularly between May and September when winds are more consistent.
Summary of Lanzarote Surf Spots
A Quick Reference Guide
To summarize the key characteristics of some of Lanzarote's best surf breaks, here is a table:
| Surf Spot | Location | Wave Type | Suitable Level | Key Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Famara Beach | Northwest Coast | Beach Break | Beginner to Experienced | 6km sandy beach, consistent waves, multiple peaks, safe for learning, surf schools. |
| La Santa | North Shore | Reef Break | Expert (The Slab), Intermediate (El Centrito) | Powerful, challenging waves, famous "The Slab" left-hander, requires experience. |
| El Quemao | North Shore | Reef Break | Expert | World-class, fast, hollow barrels, "European Hawaii", shallow reef, winter best. |
| Arrieta (La Garita) | East Coast | Beach Break | Intermediate to Learner | Smaller waves than west coast, good when west is windy, fun beach break. |
| Orzola | Northern Tip | Beach Break | Beginner to Intermediate | Quiet spot, beach break with lefts and rights, clear water. |
| Jameos del Agua | Northeast Coast | Point Break | Experienced | Long left-hander over volcanic rock, scenic, requires care with rocks. |
Frequently Asked Questions about Surfing in Lanzarote
What is the best time of year to surf in Lanzarote?
The best time for surfing in Lanzarote, particularly for larger swells and advanced surfers, is generally from October to April. However, with consistent conditions and various spots, it's possible to surf year-round. The summer months offer smaller, gentler waves suitable for beginners.
Is Lanzarote suitable for beginner surfers?
Yes, Lanzarote is an excellent destination for beginner surfers, largely thanks to Famara Beach. Its sandy bottom and consistent, manageable waves, along with numerous surf schools, make it an ideal place to learn.
Where can experienced surfers find challenging waves in Lanzarote?
Experienced surfers seeking challenging waves should head to spots like La Santa (especially "The Slab") and El Quemao. These reef breaks offer powerful, hollow waves and are considered among the best in Europe.
Are there surf schools and rentals available in Lanzarote?
Yes, Lanzarote has many surf schools and rental shops, particularly concentrated in Caleta de Famara. They offer lessons for all levels and a wide range of equipment for rent.
Is localism an issue in Lanzarote?
Localism can be present at some of the more advanced and popular reef breaks. Being respectful in the lineup and understanding surf etiquette is important to have a positive experience.
References
Last updated April 21, 2025