Tenerife.

The breaks

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

An island with two surf personalities

Tenerife is a volcanic island rising steeply from the Atlantic, with Mount Teide at its centre. The mountain divides the island's climate: the north is greener and wetter, facing the north-west swells that arrive in winter, while the south is drier and sunnier, sheltered from the biggest north swells but exposed to swells from the west and south.

That split gives Tenerife surf in almost every season. In winter, the north coast's beaches and reefs come alive; in summer, south and west swells reach the reefs around Playa de las Américas. The island also has a large population and a busy tourism industry, so surf schools, shops and accommodation are easy to find.

The reefs of Playa de las Américas

Playa de las Américas, on the south-west coast, is better known as a resort town, but its seafront hides several quality reef breaks. La Izquierda, also called the Spanish Left, is a fast, powerful left over lava reef, while La Derecha del Cartel is a right-hand reef nearby. Other breaks along the seafront work on different swells and tides and suit intermediate and advanced surfers.

The line-ups are close to hotels and promenades, which makes them convenient but also busy, with a strong local crew. The reefs are shallow in places, so booties can help.

El Médano and the wind

On the south-east coast, El Médano is famous for its strong, consistent winds, which make it one of Europe's best-known windsurfing and kitesurfing spots. It also has beaches and reefs that can produce surfable waves, though the wind often affects conditions. The town has a relaxed, international atmosphere and is close to Tenerife South Airport.

The north coast: Almáciga and El Socorro

In the north-east, the rugged Anaga mountains meet the sea, and Almáciga, a black-sand beach below steep cliffs, is a popular surf spot that picks up winter swells. Nearby Benijo is a wild, scenic beach.

On the north-west coast, El Socorro is a black-sand beach break popular with surf schools and local surfers, and reefs near Punta del Hidalgo and Bajamar can produce powerful waves on bigger swells. The north coast is greener, quieter and more traditional than the south, with a cooler climate.

The local line-up in Las Américas

The reefs of Playa de las Américas are some of the most crowded in the Canary Islands, with a large, experienced local community and visitors staying in the resort hotels nearby. The best waves, especially at La Izquierda, are dominated by skilled locals, and visitors who drop in or ignore priority will quickly feel unwelcome.

Sit wide, watch how the line-up works and take turns. If you are an intermediate surfer, the less crowded reefs and smaller days offer a better experience. Booties help with the sharp lava rock when entering and exiting the water, and the timing of entries between sets matters.

Winter in the north, year-round in the south

The best surf on the north coast arrives from roughly October to March, when North Atlantic swells are most consistent. These are also the months when the north can be wet and windy. The south coast can work year-round, with west and south swells in summer, and some winter swells wrapping around the island.

The water is mild compared with mainland Europe, ranging from around 18–19°C in late winter to 23–24°C in late summer. A 3/2 wetsuit is common in winter, and a shorty or boardshorts in summer.

Two airports and getting around

Tenerife has two airports: Tenerife South, close to Playa de las Américas and El Médano, with many international flights, and Tenerife North, near La Laguna, with more domestic and inter-island routes. Buses connect the main towns, and a rental car is the most practical way to explore different surf spots, as the island's mountainous terrain makes some journeys long.

Volcanic geology and the surf

Tenerife's reefs are made of volcanic lava rock, formed by eruptions over hundreds of thousands of years. This geology shapes the waves: lava shelves and boulders create reef breaks with defined take-off zones, and the steep underwater slopes around the island allow swell to arrive with plenty of energy. The black sand of many northern beaches comes from eroded volcanic rock.

The same geology makes Tenerife spectacular out of the water, from the volcanic landscapes of Teide National Park to the cliffs of Los Gigantes on the west coast.

Resort south or traditional north

The south, around Playa de las Américas, Los Cristianos and Costa Adeje, has the most hotels and apartments, with sunshine and nightlife. Surfers who want to be close to the southern reefs often stay here. The north, around Puerto de la Cruz, La Laguna and the Anaga coast, has a more traditional Canarian feel, with historic towns, local restaurants and greener landscapes.

Many surfers split their time or choose a base in the centre of the island and drive to whichever coast is working.

Mount Teide and rest days

Teide National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, surrounds Spain's highest mountain, with lunar landscapes, hiking trails and a cable car to near the summit. The Anaga Rural Park in the north-east has laurel forests and hiking trails, and La Laguna's historic centre is also a World Heritage Site. Whale and dolphin watching trips run from the south-west coast, where pilot whales live year-round.

Tenerife 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 Tenerife

Tenerife has many surf schools, particularly around Playa de las Américas in the south and El Socorro in the north. Southern schools often teach at gentler sections of the reefs or nearby beaches, while El Socorro's black-sand beach is a popular learning spot in the north. Lessons usually include wetsuits and soft-top boards.

The mild climate makes learning possible year-round. Ask schools about group sizes, instructor qualifications and which spots they use, as some reef breaks are shallow.

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