THE TOP PLACES FOR SURFING IN LANZAROTE

The Slab - At La Santa, is an experts-only wave as well as a strict, locals-only area. If you are going to surf there at all, you should do so with caution. You should surf there with a group as accidents have occurred here in the past. The wave is more dangerous than it appears from the shore.

El Quemao - This is a short sucky left breaking wave, close to shore in front of the village of La Santa. It is the heaviest wave on the island. Optimal swell is from the W to NW with accompanying S to E winds.

Harbour Mouth - A gnarly right between El Quemao and the Slab. It is extremely hollow and dangerous, go nowhere type of wave. Wipeouts push you on top of boulders 1 meter in diameter.

La Santa Right - A serious right reef when the swell is 5 foot or bigger. It generally has 3 sections which work independently, though on a good day all can connect up giving long powerful rides. Not extremely hollow but fast and bowly. Paddle out is either a sketchy jump off the rocks at the end of the point or a long paddle around from the inside. Almost always offshore. Any tide when big. Low or mid tide when smaller.

Boca del Abajo - A left which sucks off the sea bottom and breaks into a calm, deeper bay. The wave is excellent to 10ft, and even when its big, the paddle out remains relatively easy.

Caleta de Caballo - Fast lefthand break, shallow. Works from 4-8ft + on N or big NW swell and S to WSW winds. High tide best.

Ghost Town - A spectacular peak breaks in the the bay to the right of the town of Caballo when the swell is 6-8ft + N or NW. Needs SW to SE winds.

Outside Reef - 4 meters and up on maxing N swells. 500 meters out to sea.

San Juan - Reef break with both rights and lefts, the left being longer. The right is best before and after high tide, the left all the way through high to low tide. A good place to check when everywhere else is flat. Picks up most N and NW swell. Best on S to SW wind.

Famara Harbor Reef - On the far left corner of Famara Beach, a lefthand
reefbreak. Fast, hollow waves, shallow. Best around 4-8ft. Works on N or NW swell, with winds from the SE to SSW.

Playa de Famara - Long sweeping beach with sand-bottom breaks throughout its length, providing fast often hollow lefts and rights. Works from 2 to 8ft. On smaller days, suitable for beginners, especially towards the N end where the waves get smaller due to offshore island shadowing. On bigger days however, getting through the whitewater to the outside can be both impossible and undesireable.