Top 10 Surf Spots in the Canary Islands

Jeff    surfingholidays, Top 10s     Canary Islands, Spain, Surf, Surfing, surfing holidays, Surfing spots

Enjoying warmer water and sunnier weather than the UK, the Canary Islands is a great surf holiday destination. The Canaries pick up swell from all directions and their craggy coastlines convert the ocean’s energy into a variety of waves capable of satiating every type of surfer.

Serious surf potential: Image Flickr/ El coleccionista de instantes

From heaving lefts to peaky beach breaks to long, peeling right points, these islands provide such a vast array of choices you could surf the entire winter without surfing in the Canary Islands and visiting the same spot wave twice. But, in the interest of fine tuning your holiday plans, the following is a list of the top 10 surf spots in the Canary Islands.

El Quemao

The pinnacle of Canary surfing. Comparable to Pipeline in terms of speed, size, hollowness, and serious consequences, this left can thunder triple overhead slabs over a razor sharp reef. But if you’ve got the skill – and the guts – perfect stand up barrels are your reward.

Los Lobos

A lengthy, thigh-burning right. When conditions align and all the sections connect, Los Lobos can offer a half-minute ride with plenty of shortboarding punch. Rincon-like potential spread down the coast of an ancient volcano, just remember to stretch!

Cotillo

The quintessential sandy beach break. Smaller, punchy peaks provide hollow sections and ripable faces. If you can’t have a fun session here, surfing might not be your thing.

Typical surf scene near Famara. Image: Flickr/ Phillip Jenkins - The Critical Path

El Confital

Right-handed Indonesian barrel. Confital peels perfect tubes than can hold shape in up to ten feet of swell. Perfection would be an understatement. Booties are recommended because of the dicey reef underneath.

Hierro

A powerful left. Goofy footers stay all day when it’s working. Racy sections and long rides are the attraction here. With the right wind this wave one of the best in the Atlantic.

Morro Negro

Consistent, quality right. When the swell is small and other spots aren’t producing, it’s a safe bet you’ll find waves here. Good at three feet, best at ten, this solid right-hander is always a worth a check.

The Bubble

A hollow, heavy right. Just down the beach from Hierro, The Bubble fires off tube after tube. With charitable offshore winds, you’re guaranteed to get covered up.

Corralejo

Consistent, fun peaks. This northern section of coastline produces dependable waves in an assortment of shapes. Beware the shallow reefs, but playful lefts and rights start working here on minimal swell.

Mejillones

Fickle, but worth the wait. Known for its bigger waves, Mejillones only gets going on solid overhead swells. But when it works you’ll find heavy peaks spewing powerful rights and lefts.

Majanicho

Mellower, peeling rights and lefts. When the wind isn’t blowing too hard, you’ll find a long right at Majanicho perfect for longboarding. Shorter, punchier lefts are fun for shortboarders.

About the author

Jeff Rhodes wrote 23 articles on this blog.

Jeff was born and raised just east of New York City on Long Island. He moved to Santa Barbara, California for college and studied psychology and philosophy. At school he discovered a love for surfing, reading, and writing. Jeff has explored both coasts of the United States, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Indonesia, and Australia in search of waves and authentic experience.

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