The most northerly of the Canary Islands, Lanzarote, is the baby of the family of top destinations for wind sports enthusiasts, but not without good reason. The island of Cesar Manrique has much more to offer than the most active volcano in the Canary Islands in Timanfaya National Park, countless small picturesque villages painted entirely in white and green, cave landscapes, cacti and aloe fields, vineyards and the neighbouring excursion destination of La Graciosa.
The volcanic island not only has countless top spots for surfers, but windsurfers of all levels will also get their money's worth, and not just in the summery north-easterly trade winds. If you start from the main windsurfing resort of Costa Teguise in the east of the island and just a few minutes from the international airport, you can find wave and flat water spots for every wind direction within a twenty-minute drive.
All the information about this Canary Island comes from Tom Brendt, who lives on Lanzarote as a windsurfing trainer and insider.
Spot Guide Lanzarote
1 Las Cucharas
Las Cucharas is the main windsurfing spot in the heart of Costa Teguise, one of the island's tourist hotspots, but with almost no mega hotel bunkers, north of the capital Arrecife and just a few minutes' drive from the airport. The bay is home to two well-equipped windsurfing centres with instruction and hire. After entering the sandy beach, which is located in the centre of Las Cucharas bay, there is a flat water slope all the way to the exit of the bay. Only the occasional very large swell makes it into the bay to thunder onto the beach as a shorebreak. The start is to the right of the pier in the centre of the bay and you should keep to the entry area marked with buoys. If the wind is blowing from the north-east, the first few metres are covered by the pier, especially at low tide. At high tide, the wind is freer over the breakwater, which makes it much easier to get in and out.
Outside the bay, you can expect a sometimes huge swell that breaks over the reefs at high tide, which is impressive but quite harmless. The wind and wave come from the same direction, making it difficult to ride downwind. The La Pulga spot is to windward of the pier. Here the wave breaks better for riding downwind. However, even at high tide, the rocks under the water are not far away. Their location should be memorised from land at low tide. In general, the wave spot outside the bay is much more aggressive at low tide. However, if you don't feel up to it, you can stay in the safe shallow water area, where the surf centres have even installed a quiet island.
2 Los Charcos
Not only the locals, but also the numerous windsurfers who travelled to the island with their mobile homes, park their womos for free in the large car park right next to the spot. From there, it is only a few metres to the water. The campsite is set up on a large, palm-fringed meadow. The spot also has a nice beach and numerous fresh water showers. Los Charcos is a small lagoon with absolutely flat water, provided there is no large swell on the open sea. The entrance is on the sandy beach, but in the water it is always over rocky slabs, so a little caution is required. The lagoon is closed off by a reef over which a clean wave breaks. With wind from the left, this can be ridden with a few turns to leeward. If you love your equipment, you should only enjoy the wave ride up to the centre of the lagoon exit and then get out. In good wind and wave conditions, it can get crowded - be considerate and follow the right of way rules. Los Charcos also works when the wind is a little too northerly for Las Cucharas and therefore offshore and gusty.
3 Jameos Del Agua
Jameos del Agua is the wave spot par excellence on the island. A real treat for down-the-line lovers. Perhaps the longest wave on Lanzarote breaks downwind as if pulled by a string. The spot is located right next to the tourist highlight, the art and culture centre designed by architect Cesar Manrique with a large car park. From there, a narrow path leads down to the water's edge.
Before you plunge headlong into the water, you should take the time to watch the locals or ask them about the right entry point, as this is not without its challenges. Especially at high tide, the way back to the shore can be painful. At low tide, the small lagoon with the very narrow channel, which is both the entrance and exit, is easier to recognise. Missteps inevitably lead to bloody feet. It is therefore worth allowing some time to explore the spot. The spot itself is divided into the surfing and windsurfing zones by a boulder, the position of which should also be memorised before the first wave rides.
Tom's alternatives:If the wind direction is too northerly or north-westerly, it is worth travelling to thePlaya de la Garita (4) south of Arrieta. A valley speeds up the wind considerably and provides power freeride conditions. If the wind in Las Cucharas is too strong, thePlaya Honda (5) south of Arrecife can be a good escape point. Slalom, formula and foil surfers also meet here. In wintry southerly or south-westerly winds, it can beRisco de Famara (6) Give cream conditions with side offshore wind.
Further spot guides to the Canary Islands:
