Gran Canaria.

The breaks

Recognised, publicly known surf spots around Gran Canaria. Suitability depends on the day's swell, wind and tide, so treat the level as a guide, not a guarantee.

Las Palmas, a city with a surf break at its door

Gran Canaria covers about 1,560 square kilometres and is roughly 50 kilometres across, with a high interior that rises to nearly 2,000 metres. The island has a hot, dry climate with warm temperatures all year, mild winters and almost no rain in the summer months. The capital, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, sits on the north-east corner and is the surf hub.

The city beach, Las Canteras, is protected by an offshore reef and is a protected area popular with divers. That reef is a strength for swimmers and learners, because it softens waves in most of the bay, but it also means the best surf is at the edges. Tourists share the sand with surfers, so the beach is always full of life. There are few places in Europe where you can finish a surf, take a shower, walk to a cafe on a promenade and be in a restaurant street within minutes.

El Confital, the island's marquee wave

A short distance from Las Canteras, at the northern end of the city, El Confital is regarded by many guides as one of Europe's best waves. It is a right-hander breaking over a mixture of reef and sand, and it has hosted international competitions. It is not a beginner wave, and the combination of rocks, a tight take-off zone and a locals' line-up demands respect.

Winter swell from the north and north-west is what powers it. On large swells it can be very powerful, and the walk to the water involves rocky ground. If the waves look daunting, they probably are. There are other spots nearby, including the outer reef at the southern end of Las Canteras, which is sometimes known as La Cícer, and the corner at El Lloret, but these are also for those who know what they are doing.

The windy south and Pozo Izquierdo

Gran Canaria's south and east coasts are better known for wind than for waves. Pozo Izquierdo, in Santa Lucía, is one of Spain's best-known windsurfing and kitesurfing spots and hosts international windsurf competitions because of its dependable wind. For a traditional surfer, it is mostly a spectator destination.

The resort area of Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés, with its dunes and long beaches, attracts holidaymakers rather than surfers, though schools there offer lessons. Descriptions of the quality of the waves vary, and some guides note that demand for lessons comes from the resort crowd rather than the strength of the surf. It is possible to learn there on a small day, but do not make the south your priority if your main goal is to surf well.

The north-west coast and quieter alternatives

Away from Las Palmas, the north and west of the island have more varied waves. Gáldar, on the north-west coast, has spots such as Bocabarranco and El Frontón, though sources disagree on which is the main wave there. El Frontón is associated with a bodyboard competition.

Telde, on the east coast, is known for surf schools in the Salinetas area, which gives another set of options for learners. These areas offer more room and fewer people, but they also have fewer facilities. Check the swell direction, because exposure varies a lot between the island's sides, and drive carefully on the winding roads around the coast.

Where to stay and how to move around

Gran Canaria Airport is the island's only commercial airport and one of the busiest in Spain, on the east coast between Las Palmas and the south. It is only a short drive to Las Palmas, and the south is further along the motorway. Regular buses link the capital to the airport and to the beaches along the north-east.

Staying near Las Canteras is easiest for surfers: you can walk to the waves, rent boards, and take lessons without a car. Staying in the south suits sun and sand, but you will need a car or a long bus ride to reach the best surf. Many visitors rent a car for a day or two to explore the island's interior and the north-west coast.

Winter sun and a changeable swell

Daytime highs average around 20 degrees Celsius in winter and 26 in summer, so a surf trip from northern Europe is as much about warmth as waves. The best swell reaches the north coast from October to March, when North Atlantic storms send long-period groundswell south. In summer, trade winds blow along the north-east coast and the waves are smaller, which suits learners.

The sea is cooler than the air suggests, particularly in winter. A 3/2 is usually enough for most visitors, with a 4/3 for early mornings in January and February. Take reef boots if you plan on stepping onto rocky entries.

Combining surf with the rest of the island

The island's interior is mountainous, and a day trip to the central peaks gives a break from the sea. The resort area at Maspalomas has a dune system and a nineteenth-century lighthouse that is easy to include in a day.

If you travel with a family or partner who does not surf, the beaches around Las Palmas and the south offer swimming and sunbathing, while the city has museums, markets and a lively evening scene. This variety is one of the island's strengths, as it makes it easy to plan a trip that suits all ages.

Gran Canaria surf season month by month

A broad planning picture, not a forecast. Swell, wind and water temperature vary from year to year.

Learning to surf in Las Palmas

Las Canteras is the natural classroom. The reef offshore softens many waves, and the southern end of the beach is used by schools for beginners. Lessons are available through most of the year, and the beach has easy access to showers, cafés and public transport.

Some schools also operate on the east coast, in the Telde area, and on the southern resort beaches on calm days. Ask about class size, whether a rescue plan is in place and how the school chooses between beaches.

When you feel ready to step up, do it with coaching rather than heading straight for El Confital. A coach can help you read reef waves on smaller days and explain how tide and swell direction change the break.

Comparing options across the country? Read our guide to surfing in Spain.