If you are here, it is because you are planning your holiday in Tenerife. And we are quite sure that, as a good traveler, you are looking for all the information about the best places to visit, the best beaches in Tenerife and the best activities and excursions to do during your trip.
If you have already heard about Tenerife, you have probably heard about its fantastic weather. Its climate is one of the best climates in Europe. So now, we know that you feel the need to discover its amazing wonderful sunny beaches, which are the idealized paradise for the sun lovers and surfers.
From Overfly Tenerife, we offer you the best paragliding experience — nevertheless, we also like to provide you with all the information that you may need for making from your trip an unforgettable experience.
The best Tenerife surf areas
Tenerife is an island that is part of the Canary Islands in Spain. It is located about 300 kilometers off the west coast of Africa, in the Atlantic Ocean. It is the largest and most diverse of the Canary Islands. Tenerife enjoys a marvelous sub-tropical climate, which means warm waters, a sun that is always shining, and average daily temperatures of over 20°C during the whole year.
You can find beautiful coastlines with a wide variety of sand and reef breaks along the entire island to suit all styles and levels of experience. Are you wondering where to surf in Tenerife? We will tell you all you need to know about Tenerife surf spots and the surf gear that you will need to fully enjoy this experience.
There are two main surf areas, and they have nothing to do with each other. Moreover, both areas are located farther apart. On the one hand, the North area is greener, quieter, and it has a rural ambiance. North Tenerife beaches have pretty impressive waves from October to February.
On the other hand, the South area is characterized by golden sandy beaches full of hotels and resorts, restaurants, and entertainment. Surfing in Tenerife South is concentrated on the lively resorts of Playa de las Américas and Los Cristianos beach, and every kind of surfer have the chance to enjoy a great experience in this area.
Tenerife surf can be enjoyed during any time of the year — but if you have the chance to choose, we strongly recommend you to do it on the best season for surfing, and it is during the winter months. At this time of the year, you will find the most powerful swell, the best wind directions, and the biggest waves.
Our Top 10 Tenerife Surf Spots and Beaches
From Overfly Tenerife, we told you about our selection of the Tenerife best beaches in a previous post. Now, we have created a list with our top picks for the best places to surf in Tenerife. All we want is to make you enjoy as much as possible your Tenerife surfing holidays.
La Izquierda, Playa de las Américas
La Izquierda is the most famous surfing spot in Tenerife. It is located on the south coast of Tenerife, right in the heart of the outstanding Playa de las Américas. This spot is a paradise for surfing experts who are searching for an intense and fast-breaking ride.
La Izquierda, which means “the left” in Spanish. This is not by chance, it is due to this surfing spot also offers some of the best left-handed waves in the whole of Europe, which break over a coral and rock volcanic seabed. The waves usually reach over 2 meters tall, sometimes over 3 meters. Because of its versatility, the break works in any way —but you should know that the best surfing conditions are between October and March.
La Izquierda’s urban is situated one of the most popular tourist destinations in Tenerife. This means that the area gets really crowded in high season, above all, during the weekends. Nevertheless, it is provided with great facilities —from car parking, showers and equipment rental to the best Canarian food and drink options.
Moreover, there are plenty of leisure options. So, if you are looking to add a bit of style and different activities to your surf trip, you can go shopping, or enjoying any spectacle while you have a cool drink at a terrace of any bar.
And if you are also looking for accommodation, you can take a look at CLC Paradise Tenerife. It is a wonderful resort settled on the hills above Playa de las Américas, offering wonderful facilities and elegant accommodation in the best quality holiday apartments.
La Fitenia, Los Cristianos Beach
Surfing lovers can have different tastes. But don’t worry, with our help you will find the perfect Tenerife beach for your surfing experience. So, for those who prefer slightly gentler waves and a place not so crowded, but being as close to the action as possible, La Fitenia is the perfect spot for you.
La Fitenia is located right halfway between Los Cristianos and Playa de las Américas, not so far from La Izquierda. It is highly recommended for the intermediate right-handed surfers, but it also offers quite good left waves. The best moment to enjoy surfing in La Fitenia is in the spring and summer months. Nevertheless, this area provides consistent surf during the whole year.
Punta Blanca, Guía de Isora
Punta Blanca is located on the North West coast of the island, between Alcala and Los Gigantes beaches. Punta Blanca is, without any doubt, one of the most beloved surfing destinations in Tenerife. Maybe this is due to its wild and pure surroundings, its great atmosphere, and its unique microclimate. This is mainly a bodyboarding spot, with short, foaming waves and powerful tubes.
This beach is one of the favorites among pro and intermediate surfers — even more for those who love to practice surfing during the winter at low and medium tide. As we have said before, temperatures are almost never below 20°C, and the surrounding landscape is simply amazing. You will enjoy gorgeous mountain views while you enjoy your ride. Several surf competitions take place in this area along the year.
El Socorro, Los Realejos
The Northern scenery of the island provides the perfect stage for Tenerife surf sessions at El Socorro, a halcyon spot full of black volcanic sand washed by crystal clear waters in Los Realejos. At the back, you can see the sharped rocky cliffs.
The stunning Blue Flag beach offers excellent surfing conditions during the whole year. El Socorro is very popular among swimmers and sunbathers during the summer months — but fortunately, waves break far away from the shore. That ensures that everyone is safe. These waves are approximately from 1 to 2 meters tall, and that is one of the main reasons why El Socorro attracts all levels of surfing skills.
La Machacona, El Médano
La Machacona is situated on the south coast of the island of Tenerife, between El Médano and Los Abrigos. This surfing spot is loved for its amazing long, pristine tube and, above all, for its high-quality bodyboarding. If we talk about its left side, we can say that it is a machine that generates powerful tubes — but the right side can also be ridden perfectly.
The conditions need to be perfect for waves to appear. At this spot, there are no waves apparently, and all of a sudden, a huge wave appears. The wind needs to be offshore due to it is a very windy area. Of course that you can practice surf at this spot, but it is so much better to bodyboard it. It is quite shallow, so you must be careful with your knees!
The waves at this spot break over volcanic rock very close to the shore around high tide and when there is a south swell. As we have mentioned before, this spot is only suitable for advanced level riders. The wave holds up well on those days that the wind blows from the north.
Although La Machacona is not visible from the road, this spot is next to La Tejita beach. Here, there is a camping area where you can access easily on foot. There are no other services nearby, but you can park your car in the area. As we have said before, La Machacona is basically a surfing spot for advanced level riders, located next to La Tejita and the best season to visit this spot is during the summer, between June and September at high tide with northerly winds and South – Southeast swell.
Igueste de San Andrés, San Andrés
Igueste de San Andrés is located at the North East coast of the island, at San Andrés beach. This spot stands out for its marvelous left-handed waves and individual sections. These conditions allow all the surf lovers to join in regardless of their abilities.
As you probably already know, anytime is a good time to practice Tenerife surf, due to the sheltered reef break has fairly consistent surf. In any case, the best conditions are from September to May.
Igueste de San Andrés is located outside the picturesque fishing village which is named the same way. Igueste de San Andrés is properly situated close to the lively capital city of Santa Cruz. You can get to Igueste de San Andrés through the gorgeous beach of Las Teresitas.
Punta del Hidalgo
Punta del Hidalgo was named after the small fishing village located in the municipality of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, in Tenerife. But this is not a surf spot — in fact, it is an area of the island of Tenerife. But it is a must in our list, why? Because in Punta del Hidalgo, you will find several surf spots in the same area.
It doesn’t matter if you are here to practice surfing or bodyboarding, because in this part of the island you can practice both of them. Moreover, this area is not quite known for tourists so it won’t be very crowded at any time of the year. Nevertheless, you will always find locals there. But don’t worry — locals are simply normal people who like surfing.
Like in any other surfing spot, you just need to know the surfer rules. So, if you respect them, you will have no trouble at all. With respect to the surfing spots here in Punta del Hidalgo, we have selected four of them for our top 10:
El Roquete
As you know, El Roquete is located in the municipality of San Cristóbal de La Laguna. Apart from surfing, you will find other amenities like bars and restaurants provided with the best Canarian cuisine.
If you want to practice surf in El Roquete, you must know that technical skills are required, but don’t worry, being a beginner is enough. In terms of surfing, the best sea directions are North, North West, West-Northwest and West — and the best wave direction is the left. Its main characteristics are the tubes and the walls. Regarding the best wind directions are South, South East, South West, and North East.
There is another aspect to keep in mind — the floor is made of pebbles. And the best tide is the low tide and the mid tide. Lately, one more time we will tell you that you can go any time of the year, but the best seasons are autumn, winter, and spring.
La Bajeta
As we have said before, this beach is located at Tenerife’s North, in the municipality of San Cristóbal de La Laguna. La Bajeta is renowned as an outside reef of mossy rocks which produces an excellent long right waves’ spot for right-handers. For enjoying the best experience, this surfing spot needs overhead North-Northeast waves to really get going.
La Bajeta itself is a high tide right breaking closer to the sharper rocks inside, in small summer NorthEast waves and winds. Its heavy water, including the outside reef at Punta del Altagay, is only suitable for experienced surfers.
Los Dos Hermanos
Los Dos Hermanos is that kind of place where you can just go if you are an expert surfer. This surfing spot is located at the northern part of the island, in the municipality of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, very close to El Charco.
It is one of the best holiday destinations — above all, during the winter time, especially around the high tide. Los Dos Hermanos is also a very popular spot for locals, so it is frequently crowded. This post is quite good rated by surfers, but you must remember that it is only though for very experienced surfers. If you are a beginner, you should check some of our other options, because they are endless!
El Charco
EL Charco is located between Punta del Hidalgo and the town of Bajamar. It is situated only a few kilometers from the beautiful city of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, in the north of the island. This is probably our very top of the list option, but it is only for the best and the bravest surfers.
El Charco is doubtless one of the best and most chosen destinations for surfing in Tenerife. As Los Dos Hermanos, it’s very good rating by surfers. The waves in El Charco reach their full intensity in autumn and winter, during the high tide, so it is considered the best time of the year to visit this spot.
Moreover, there is a plus point to visit el Charco — besides the unique surfing experience, this beach rarely is crowded.
Two Essential pieces of Surfing Equipment
If you are an expert surfer, you will probably already have all the materials that you need to practice Tenerife surf. But if you are a beginner, you will need to buy some of the essentials to enjoy this sport. You can get all of the essential pieces at any surf shop in Tenerife or at any surf shop online. Let’s see the two essential pieces of surfing equipment!
Surfboard
This is doubtless this first element that you will need to get to build your surf equipment if you are a beginner. We strongly recommend you a broader surfboard that will help you in the water.
If you don’t want to spend a lot of money on a new surfboard, the best option is to get one that has already been used. We also recommend you to go to a surf shop and follow their recommendations because the wide majority of the staff are experimented surfers and they know what they are talking about — so, trust their opinion!
Wetsuit
A good wetsuit is a must if you want to practice surfing. It basically depends on how much you want to spend, because the prices vary so much. So, before going online to check the prices of the wetsuits, set your budget and always make sure you keep it. What you should look for in a good wetsuit should be that it does its job, which is basically protecting you from the elements.
If you are looking for the best experiences and sports to practice during your holidays in Tenerife, we are your best ally. So we hope you see you soon and don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any doubt — we will be pleased to help you at any time!
