THE 5 BEST WAVES OF THE CANARY ISLANDS

FIVE DREAMY WAVES FOR SURFING IN CANARY ISLANDS

There are those who call the Canary Islands the Hawaii of Europe, but the old fortunate islands do not need such comparisons. The high-caliber surf that their beaches treasure stands on its own, without the need for exaggeration. Below, we talk about their five best breaks. Happy waves and happy reading.

The weather, the landscape, the waves… «Something grabs you, you want to come back,» a friend of mine from Fuerteventura said. And the feeling is replicated in the rest of the Canary archipelago. Of course, when it comes to surfing, the issue boils down to four of the seven islands: Lanzarote , Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, and Tenerife. There we find the five best waves of the Canary Islands .

1. EL QUEMAO (Lanzarote)

Located just in front of the charming town of La Santa, El Quemao is the magical break of the island of Lanzarote . An almost sacred left, dangerous and challenging that also breaks to the right. A machine of fast and deep barrels, suitable only for experts. The bottom is made of volcanic rock, with very sharp rails. Feared and admired in equal parts by the surfers who have dared to challenge it, this wave also holds a place of honor in our particular ranking of the ten best waves in Spain .

YOW LA SANTA

If you like thrills, this is your wave. But beware! Like in many spots of the Canary Islands, El Quemao is a world-class wave with a somewhat edgy local community. So if you don’t want an unpleasant surprise, do not even think about dropping in on anyone’s wave. If you show respect, you won’t have any problems.

¿ What to see in Lanzarote ? Lanzarote is the most eastern of the Canary Islands, the closest, therefore, to the Iberian Peninsula. Everything on this island is unusual, extraordinary, like the first day of creation. Everything, or almost everything, reminds us of the artist César Manrique,

whose shadow comes our way at each of the places we visit: Casa Tahíche, Jameos del Agua, Cueva de los Verdes, the incomparable Timanfaya route, Jardín de los Cactus, or Mirador del Río and its memorable view of La Graciosa.

Mirador del Río

2. EL CONFITAL (Las Palmas de Gran Canaria)

The best reef break to the right in the Canary Islands. On its good days, we could even say the best in Europe. But beware! It is a very serious, fast, and powerful wave, with exciting vertical drops. Strong take off and world-class barrels. The beach of El Confital is next to the neighborhoods of La Isleta and Los Colorados. It is, therefore, an urban beach, with a good number of local surfers that must be taken into account. If you understand this, El Confital can gift you with the ride of your life.

What to see in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria?

El Confital is just a stone’s throw from Las Canteras Beach, which is more than a beach, it is a symbol. Here the entire city comes alive, and the best way to check it is by strolling leisurely along the promenade that leads to our spot. True, tourism has invaded Las Palmas, whose port is known worldwide. However, the city still retains places forgotten by the usual routes. Vegueta is the most evocative. It is the old colonial neighborhood, one of the most remarkable architectural complexes in the entire archipelago. Palaces, mansions, convents, and churches line up in narrow streets, creating peaceful visions hidden around the cathedral and its square. Every balcony, every window or lattice is a marvel of artisanal craftsmanship. Vegueta Neighborhood – Photograph: Gran Canaria Tourism 3. EL HIERRO (Fuerteventura) Mind-blowing. A world-class spot; perhaps the most praised of Fuerteventura

3. EL HIERRO (Fuerteventura)

To freak out. A world class spot; perhaps the most celebrated of Fuerteventura, with surfers always waiting on the beach for the perfect conditions to get into the water. It is very close to Majanicho and has two distinct waves that break over a very sharp and shallow reef: an explosive and very tubular left, and a short and very powerful right capable of producing good tubes. Only for experts.

What to see in Fuerteventura ?

The trip to Fuerteventura invites you to enjoy its world-class waves, but also to thoroughly discover one of the most unique and beautiful places on the planet. More than 150 kilometers of beaches with crystal clear waters, some as spectacular as Cofete, a sea of dunes reminiscent of the Sahara in the Natural Park of Corralejo Dunes, the impressive and evocative historical complex of the town of Betancuria, the cosmic magic of the Tindaya mountain, the wonders of the Jandía Natural Park… These are some of the surprises that have captivated us in Fuerteventura, Biosphere Reserve and oasis of peace and happiness in the middle of civilization: a paradise of serenity whose geographic essence is the arid land, almost always bare on its elevations, and at the same time the inexhaustible sandy beaches.

However, Fuerteventura is an island with two very different faces. If nature decides to smile at you, you will find dream waves that will make your surf trip come true. But if it turns its back on you, the result can be weeks of persistent winds that will force you to change your plans. A frustration that you will share with other visiting surfers and that will make you hit the road in search of the spot least affected by the wind.

4. LOBOS (Isla de Lobos, Fuerteventura)

Located a ferry ride away from the Corralejo Dunes Natural Park, it is the longest wave in the Canary Islands and one of the longest in the world. Without a doubt, it is one of the great gems of the Canary Islands: a superlative right that seems to never end, with three well-defined sections, one of them quite tubular. When it is working, the Lobos wave is a very crowded wave, so if you want to enjoy it without problems, respect the locals to the fullest.

What to see on the island of Lobos?

Its name recalls the monk seals (known as sea wolves) that inhabited it and no longer do, as they were expelled by local fishermen, who saw their catches decimated by the voracity of the mammal. A visit to this islet is worth it. Ferries depart from the port of Corralejo and the journey lasts just half an hour. Once there, you must climb the Caldera mountain, an ancient volcano 127 meters high from which you can see an unforgettable panoramic view of the islet itself and the incredible dunes of the Corralejo Natural Park. Its beach La Concha, also known as La Caleta, is another oasis of sea and sand.

5. LAS PALMERAS (Tenerife)

One of the most popular waves in the islands. Located in the large tourist area of Playa de las Américas, in the south of Tenerife . It is a medium difficulty left. Works with any tide and practically all year round. It breaks over volcanic rock. Produces a vertical drop wall, with hollow and very fast sections. Its best season, months from October to March.

What to see in Tenerife?

The mysterious island of the Miguel Cervantes Joan Margarit Prize – the only time and place to which the poet has always wanted to return – is the largest of all the Canaries, an irregular triangle dominated by the mythological force of Teide. Tenerife possesses the charm of its beaches and, along with the volcanic landscapes of Las Cañadas del Teide, another great wonder that makes it unforgettable, the valley of La Orotava, a spectacular display of nature that transports us to the first sequences of Raiders of the Lost Ark.

And here ends our selection of the best waves in the Canary Islands. And you, do you miss any?