The black and white sand beaches of the Canary Islands are undoubtedly one of the main attractions of this area. What makes them even more attractive is the ability to surf, whether you are a seasoned surfer or just beginning to learn this sport. There are many surf spots in these islands from El Confital Gran Canaria to Los Lobos Fuerteventura.
One thing that makes surfing possible all year round is the optimal water temperature in these islands. During the winter months, you can wear a wetsuit to enjoy this sport. Tenerife also offers some fantastic spots for beginner surfers.
The Best Place to Surf in the Canary Islands is, without a doubt, La Izquierda, Tenerife. It is located at Playa de Las Américas. This is a fantastic location and has one of the best waves on Tenerife and Canary Island.
In this article, I will talk about the Canary Islands, the best place there to surf, surfing spots in Tenerife and Gran Canaria along with other Islands in the Canaries, and the things you need to look out for. So, let us get started.
Best Canary Island to Surf
The Canary Islands are located right in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, so watersports are one of the biggest attractions for this tourist spot. And surfing ranks the highest in terms of watersports on the beaches of the Canary Islands.
But which Canary Island is the most popular and the best for surfing? You might be thinking. According to popular belief and much research, it is safe to say that Tenerife, the largest island in the Canary Islands, is the best for surfing due to the abundance of beaches and Mt. Teide being located there.
That does not mean that other Islands are bad for surfing. Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, as well as La Palma are great places for surfing as well. Still, the level of Tenerife is just beyond any of the Canary Islands in terms of the whole vibe, feel, and surfing opportunities.
Check out the winds in Fuerteventura here: How Windy is Fuerteventura?
Do you wish to be cautious? Did you know you can buy shark repellent bands? Check out these: Shark Repellent Band
When Can You Surf in the Canary Islands?
You can visit the Canary Islands at any time of the year, but if you are a thrill-seeker and surfing is what you love, then you are going to have to make your way there at the best time for surfing. Typically, within the summer months, the temperature of the water and the beaches themselves on the Islands are a lot, and surfing is not a great idea because the weather stays dormant. There are not many waves flowing here, even in Tenerife.
However, in between August and January, Autumn and Winter are the perfect seasons for you to visit the Canary Islands with your wetsuits so you can have fantastic fun surfing on 1 to 3-meter (3-10 feet) waves and have a great time. Of course, at this time of the year, you’re going to see an optimally warm temperature in the water, but the weather is excellent, and the vibe is very watersports-friendly.
So, good luck to you if you are going to the Canary Islands with the intent to surf. Because it is going to be a wonderful experience, unlike any other surfing session ever before.
Best Surf Beaches in Gran Canaria
The thing about the Canary Islands is that each of them is popular for some unique thing. For example, if Tenerife is known for Mt. Teide, Gran Canaria is known for the variety of different sand beaches where you can surf as well.
On this Island, you can find numerous beaches, from white sand beaches to gold and even black sand beaches, which are very rare. All these places have tons of waves that you can catch and surf all you want.
If you are looking to learn about the best of the best surf beaches in Gran Canaria, I have made a list that you will enjoy if you visit all these places. So let’s take a look at them.
- Maspalomas
- El Puertillo
- El Frontón
- Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
| To | Distance | Driving time |
|---|---|---|
| Maspalomas | 20 mi (32 km) | 20 min |
| El Puertillo | 22 mi (35 km) | 30 min |
| El Frontón | 27 mi (43 km) | 40 min |
| Las Palmas de Gran Canaria | 16 mi (25 km) | 25 min |
These beaches are mostly known for their beautiful aesthetics, natural vibe, amazing atmosphere, and sweet tourist resorts that you can have a great time at. So, make sure you visit them the next time you are going to the Island of Gran Canaria.
Where Can I Surf in Tenerife?
Tenerife is the best place for surfing in the Canary Islands. The simple reason for this is the placement of this Island and the close vicinity of the dormant volcano of Mt. Teide. Due to volcanic displacement, the waters of the Atlantic Ocean around this Island produce amazingly optimal surfing waves, and locals and tourists take advantage of them.
The best thing about Tenerife is the fact that it is a hub of everything. Beautiful wonders here, excellent restaurants, lavish hotels, and lustrous beaches with amazing surfing waves. On the northern side of Tenerife and the Southern end, there are several great beaches where you would love to kick the waves in the Autumn and Spring seasons.
Let us take a look at some of the big surf spot names in the northern and southern ends of Tenerife you’d love to visit.
- Playa del Socorro
- El Callado (Playa de Arenal)
- El Conquistador
- La Tejita
- La Caleta
If you are not a fan of large tourist crowds, make sure you visit near the winter months because people expect the Canary Islands to be cold. In contrast, the temperature is lukewarm and perfect for heavy surfers, even in the winter months.
| To | Distance | Driving time |
|---|---|---|
| Playa del Socorro | 20 mi (33 km) | 30 min |
| El Callado | 62 mi (100 km) | 1 h 5 min |
| El Conquistador | 50 mi (81 km) | 1 h |
| La Tejita | 42 mi (68 km) | 50 min |
| La Caleta | 53 mi (85 km) | 1 h 5 min |
| To | Distance | Driving time |
|---|---|---|
| Playa del Socorro | 49 mi (79 km) | 1h 10 min |
| El Callado | 48 mi (77 km) | 1 h 5 min |
| El Conquistador | 11 mi (18 km) | 17 min |
| La Tejita | 6 mi (10 km) | 15 min |
| La Caleta | 14 mi (23 km) | 20 min |
Are There Waves in Tenerife?
Well, to put it bluntly, yes. Tenerife is home to some of the best waves you can find for surfing.
The waves of water here reach up to four meters (13 feet) in height which is perfect for even professional surfers, and there are reefs under the surface, so there is a challenge in the waters.
If you are a good surfer and you enjoy nice weather along with a bunch of epic waves, then Tenerife’s surf spots are going to feel like icing on the cake to you, that is for sure.
Do I Need a Wetsuit?
Before we talk about whether you need a wetsuit, let us talk about what precisely a wetsuit is.
Wetsuits are garments that are designed for swimming and watersports. They are made of a rubber called neoprene, and they are designed to retain the wearer’s body heat, which reduces the risk of hypothermia in case of frigid temperatures.
Now that we have talked about that, do you need a wetsuit in the Canary Islands; Well, it depends upon when you are going. In the winters you would need a wetsuit, but in the summer or early Autumn, you most likely would have a great time even in boardshorts or a swimsuit.
At What Water Temperature Do You Need a Wetsuit?
This is an excellent question, and it needs to be addressed well. The requirement of a wetsuit depends upon the temperature of the water you will swim or surf in.
If you are surfing on the Canary Islands in the summer months, you will not need a wetsuit because the temperature most likely won’t fall anywhere under 72 degrees Fahrenheit (22 degrees Celcius).
However, if you are thinking of getting into the waters of the Atlantic in the winters, the temperature of the water will be between 65-68 degrees Fahrenheit (18-20 degrees Celcius) mostly, and that is when you will need a wetsuit to keep yourself warm all the time.
Do You Need a Wetsuit to Surf in Tenerife?
Surprisingly enough, you do not necessarily need to wear a swimsuit in Tenerife because the temperature does not drop much below 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celcius), even in the winters.
In the summers, though, the temperature is optimal, and you are going to feel all right with even simple swimsuits or boardshorts on your surfboard. But it is best to stay prepared for everything.
Make sure you check out the weather forecast before you head out and that you keep a wetsuit near you when you are on the beach so you can whip it on if the need ever arises.
Where Can I Surf in La Palma?
La Palma is another one of the Islands in the Canaries, and surfing is a pretty big thing in this region. The beaches are sublime, the water is pristine, and the resorts are lush.
There are not many surf spots, though, in La Palma because of the small size of the Island itself. But if you are thinking of visiting and you want to have the time of your lives, you will find great waves in:
- Zamora
- Los Guirres
| To | Distance | Driving time |
|---|---|---|
| Zamora | 21 mi (33 km) | 45 min |
| Los Guirres | 28 mi (45 km) | 1 h |
To Sum Up
The Canary Islands are lovely. From all the luscious sand beaches to all the beautiful popular and high-class tourist resorts, they are some of the best Island spots for tourists to go to. If you are looking for the best surfing experience, I would suggest going there and having the time of your life. So, pack your bags, get your friends and family, and make your trip to surf on the beaches of the Canary Islands.
You might also want to read the article: Are there sharks in the Canary Islands?
