Windsurfing Gran Canaria
Are you a family person who want to enjoy watersport holidays? Still you want to entertain your family? Are you a student with limited traveling budget? And you want to go for active holidays, with the summer guaranteed all year round? Are you tired of winter cold and another restrictions in your country?
If your answer is yes to any of the questions please read our first article! We will give you some impression about Gran Canaria. Also why you should make it your regular windsurfing destination.
The perfect place for your windsurfing holidays.
Canary Islands, Spanish archipelago consist of 7 islands - Gran Canaria, Fuertaventura, Lanzarote, Tenerife, La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro. Placed on Atlantic Ocean 95 kilometers west from coast of Morocco.
By some called the Hawaii of Europe. Islands where in summer months trade winds blow strong. Never the less during winter months you can get reliable wind. Islands where you can find swell waves that can reach few metres high. Archipelago of sandy beaches and summer vibe.
Seven larger islands and a few smaller ones make up the Canary Island archipelago, located some 95 km from the northwest coast of Africa (bottom right) in the Atlantic Ocean. The larger islands are (visible left to right): La Palma, El Hierro, La Gomera, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote.
Each of Canary Islands offers a unique and very different landscape.
From turquoise beaches of Fuerteventura to black volcanic sands for Lanzarote. From sometimes white peak of Teide Volcano in Tenerife to vivd green slopes of La Palma. One of canary islands is especially rich in variety of natural and cultural wealth. So called “small continent” island of Gran Canaria.
Why Gran Canaria is the best choice to travel for all holidaymakers?
Gran Canaria third biggest of canary islands archipelago. It offers perfect conditions to windsurf, surfing and kitesurfing. Playa del Inglés, Maspalomas or capital of Las Palmas are offering plenty of attractions. Perfect for travelers who don't want to exclusive focus on watersports during their holidays. You can find there museums, spas, restuarants and countless services. The inland part of the island hides plenty of beautiful locations. Towns to visit, hikes to make, mountains to climb and many other outdoor adventures.
The perfect conditions for all the water sports, sandy beach and much more.
Gran Canaria's 236 km long coast line is packed with numerous spots for wave novices and advanced surfers. Sandy beaches and at same time wave spots like El Faro de Maspalomas or Cicer - both with safe bottom offers perfect condtions to start your adventure with surfing. On the other side they provide infrastructure if your family would like to tag along. Restaurants, toilets safe coast line can make the day for your relatives. Meanwhile you can enjoying best waves of your life.
Playa del Hombre
Windsurfing Fanatics on all the levels can find their spots.
Beginners can find perfect condtions to start their journey. Check flat water spots like El Burrero, Bahia Feliz or Salinas de Arinaga. These spots are offering protected bay conditions for entry level windsurf experience. Advanced windsurfers with taste for strong waves and winds can visit wave spots. Pozo Izquierdo perfect for jumping. Playa de Vargas great location to ride waves (where also its possilbe to practice kitesurfing). Further up Ojos De Garza is ready to challenge your skills.
Gran Canaria windsurf paradise where wind blows over 300 days a year.
Island is blessed with an acceleration effect. It feeds strong winds over the southeast coast where most of the windsurfing spots are. Due to circular geography and its mountains with a 2000m height wind accelerates. It can doubles or even triples the strength. This phenomenon a “crash barrier effect” makes out of Gran Canaria windsurfing location with more than 300 planning days.
Summer season.
During summer months when island is influence by stable trade winds, accelaration can speed wind up to 30/40 knots. Almost 100% guarantee of planning conditions starting from late May untill end of September. This can please even the most craving windsurfing appetite..
The accelaration effect can shift south or north, depending on the wind direction to Gran Canaria's shore. During summer months the wind is present in eastern spots suitable for wave riding. Ojos de garza, Playa de Vargas, Mosca Point and Pozo Izquierdo as well as flat water spot Salinas de Arinaga works every day. Eastern wind direction to Gran Canaria's shore can reach Castillo de Romeral, Ketchup and La Curva.
During summer more southern shore like Bahia Feliz, Las Burras, Playa del Ingles and Maspalomas receive south wind. Its genererated as a turbulence of north trade wind. The shadowed part of the island and comes back as a side shore wind from starboard tack. Wind on the south coast is much ligther. Reaching up to 9-14 knots, perfect for beginner and intermediate windsurfers. On the other side advanced windsurfers have to go for a high wind excursions to enjoy stronger winds.
Winter season.
Winter months due to the accelaration effect still can provide up to 75% of planning days. Wind blows not as strong as during the summer but still is reaching on average 17-25 knots and up to 30 knots on strong days. Winter months are providing more eastern wind directions. The accelaretion shifts down south. Spots like, Bahia Feliz and Maspalomas can be some days more windy than Pozo Izquierdo.
Taking all year round you can easy enjoy planning conditions for over 300 days.
Winter is period of storms on the north hemisphear which can create powerfull swell. Waves are usually aproaching the island from north direction. Swell is strongest mostly on the north coast. The bigger the swell the more you have to be careful on most of the spots with high tide and low tide. Shore break on some spots can be extremley powerful. In combination with rocky shore even risky. On some spots strong currents can be present. Its important to study each spot before going for your surfing session. Beginners during more challenging days should look for more protected bay among nearby spots.
Location guide for beginner surfers.
Most of Gran Canaria coast isn't sandy or even inaccessible (west coast). Still this canary island holds plenty of gems for both advanced and beginners surfers. You can find them on both north and south shore.
Las Canteras beach
Busy but also with the most consistent beach of Las Canteras is a main spot for many of local surfing schools. Left side of the beach called La Cicer offers sand bottom and daily waves break perfect to work on your take offs. Disadvantage of this spot is number of surfers on the lineup. Apart of schools and their students there are also many local surfers taking advantage of its close location to the city. The wave quite often is closing out without possibility of long rides. Swell is usually coming to the spot with full power from north directions. Low tide and high tide are not affecting the wave so much so you can find there some action at any time of the day.
Playa del Hombre
Another perfect beginners location south from Telde. The bay protects it from sideshore wind directions. Spot can offer experianced surfers a good wave with some power on the outside. Beginners can find consistan conditions to practice on the inside.
Sandy bottom and long wave which build up fast on the outside providing good power to take off on a shortboard. Inside part with long white water for beginners allows them to enjoy wave riding after successful take off. Spot is usually less crowded during the week comparing to Las Canteras. The low and high tide are not affecting the wave so much. On a big day shore break can be pretty powerful and hard to pass with high volume boards.
Part of the beach dedicated for surfing and life guards are controling passing swimmers.
Playa del Hombre
Playa San Agustin/Las Burras
Beach in San Agustin is another worth mentioning for beginner surfers. Sandy bottom makes it safe spot. Furthermore located in a bay behind the clif protects the waves from side shore winds and wind chop. Far left side can sometimes have strong currents. - Always pay attention to life guards indications! Bigger and more powerfull north swell decrease the power on that spot.
Faro de Maspalomas
Located on south coast Faro de Maspalomas is another worth mentioning spot. Both beginners and advanced surfers. On a big day Faro can deliver long and powerfull wave on the other side. On smaller day its still safe due to lack of current and mostly sandy bottom. On smaller days its a top south spot for beginner surfers. This location offers also infrastructure and facilities. In case you want to have a lunch or drink after your session you can choose from many resturants. Located in the south its quite often hidden from the north winds.
El Faro de Maspalomas
Windsurfing Gran Canaria - basic guide of spots.
The most common winds direction in Gran Canaria is north or north east. The east coast is more accessable comparing to west coast. All the main windsurf spots are here and most are most often working.
Vargas
The first bigger windsurfing spot from the north direction is Playa de Vargas. Home spot of Philip Koster many time world champion in waves. Around 1 km long, Vargas offers a lot of space to ride waves and provides good ramps for jumping. Much more open comparing to Pozo gives a lot of space for all the surfers. There is unwritten rule that the downwind part of the beach is for kitsurfing. Easy access to the location where you can rig your gear and park a car makes it an interesting option for windsurfers who are mobile.
The wind strength is usually lighter comparing to Pozo Izquierdo. The waves and the brake are offten bigger and longer.
The entrence is quite narrow and and going in or out from the water with hight tide is challanging. Powerful brake and rocks on the shore can damage your gear easy if you are not careful. More northern winds directions makes the wind unstable close to beach. Hill upwind from the spot can block the wind and make it gusty. Vargas is less crowded comparing to Pozo Izquierdo especially during the summer.
Sail upwind from Vargas you can find yourself spot called Erizo. One of the best spots for down the line conditions on Gran Canaria. More information in upcoming advanced spot guide.
Bahia de Formas / Bahia de Arinaga / Salinas de Arinaga
High wind excursions destination and flat water spot. Spot which called by many name. Located downwind from town of Arinaga. Perfect location to practice everything related to entry planning techinques- planning, using footstraps, waterstarts. For more advanced windsurfers to practice gybes and brake speed records!
Protected from the north side by land tonge and extended by harbor wall protects the spot from swell. The flatness of the water can change depending on the wind directions and strenght of the wind. Close to the coast water is extremley flat more outside you can find small size chopp. The pier wall which block the swell unfortunetley also affects the quality of the wind. The stronger winds are the more gusty it gets. With lighter winds more stable it is.
No infrastructure or services are available on the spot! Make sure to take your water and lunch with you.
Pozo Izquierdo
The world famouse wave spot for windsurfers. Small town of around 500 habitants. Cozy ambient, people walking on the streets with windsurfing gear makes this town a unique place. Spot can offer hugh variaty of conditions.
Extreamly strong winds can reach up to 50 knots and wave up to few meters, ramps perfect for high jumping.
On light forecast days you can find here easy windsurf freeride conditions of 15/20 knots. Not too many locals are going out these days, sometimes you can have a spot just for yourself.
The spot itself is a small bay with islet upwind from entry platform (be carefull not to not jibe on to it!) and so called bunker on the downwind side.
Pozo Izquierdo
The entrence is full of big pebble stones which in deeper part covered with slippery green algas. In combination with 30+ knots wind, shorebrake and current can make the entering the spot complicated.
With low tide close to new and full moon the brake is usually lighter and more outside. It makes it easier to get into the water. Downside of lowtide is longer walk over the stones to deep enough water to beach start and not loosing your fins. Hightide on the other side in case of bigger swell can create powerful beach brake. If you will not pay enough attention it can throw you with your equipment directly on the beach. Downwind part during high tide is extremly hard place to exit due to powerful backwash and steep ramp made out of pebble stones.
Close to the bunker there is a reef made of solid stone called by locals "la laja". With cleanest brake and amazing ramps for jumping its a part of the beach recommended for experienced wave riders. Under water you can encounter sea urchins and sharp stones. Also the white wash over there is more powerfull. In Pozo Izquierdo you can find 3 windsurfing shops where you can acquire a wide range of services and support.
Bahia Feliz
First windsurfing spot located in the touristic part of Gran Canaria. Bahia Feliz is next to few TUI hotels. It provides all the possible services that you might need during your holidays. Restaurants, shops, pools, sport facilities - you name it!
Bahia Feliz
The beach of Tarajalillo is a mix of sand with some pebble stones. Bottom of the spot is sandy with some single stones. Inner part of the bay is protected from north swell, still rare big south swell can reach the shore with quite some power. Wind conditions depends a lot on the general direction which aproach the island. Usually 15 to 25 degrees north east is enough to have good planning wind in Bahia Feliz. Quality of the wind is better with more eastern direction - more stable, lighter and constant. More northern winds can get gusty and stronger. Despite the directions the more outside of the bay you will find more stable conditions. The wind is usually lighter in the morning and sailing conditions are easier for beginners.
Bahia Feliz
More action for advanced sailors will be around noon when the wind picks up.
Inside the bay are perfect conditions to practice beach and water start or some first jibes. Around 800m further out you will find swell from 0.5 to 1.5m high for wave riding and jumping. Left side of the bay close to cape waves can form a clean break. This spot works few days of the year, still worth waiting for this perfect frontside wave ride!
Bahia Feliz
Maspalomas. Punta de Maspalomas
The most souther part of the island and Dunes of Maspalomas. Here you can find the safest spot for kitesurfing on the island. Also one of the most epic windsufing spots for waveriding - which happens few times a year. With side/cross off shore winds direction it offers stable conditons. Comparing to other locations there are no stones on shore. For spot to work winds have to be quite east starting from 25 degrees NE.
Disadvantage of the location is that you have to walk by foot all the way to la punta to enter the water. Lunching earlier is not allowed and it can end up with a fine for a kitesurfing and windsurfing users.
There is no center or safety there apart of local life guards located some meters away from la punta. Make sure to inform some relatives that you are going out in case of any problems. Try to avoid kitesurfing there where the direction of the winds is not enough east. In case the winds will drop the current might drag you away from the island.
Gran Canaria museums and culture.
Islands capital is the ninth biggest city in Spain. Also is the largest city in Canaries archipelago. To its province are belonging two other islands Lanzarote and Fuertaventura. Visitors who need a day off from windsurfing its a great location visit. Spend some time discovering its history, museums and enjoying numerous restaurants. Las Palmas offers an international ambient with strong mix of latin america vibes with a modern twist. The are few points of interest in Las Palmas and near to it that in our opinion you should visit:
Vegueta
Old town located in Las Plamas. Narrow streets filled with plenty of coffee shops and restaurants. In combination of colonial architecture creates an incredible ambience. In Vegueta you can find few museums:
Canary Museum. It will present you the history of the native nation of Canary islands los Guanchos.
Casa de Colon - Columbus house where you can see the history of his biggest discovery America.
CAAM -Atlantic Center of Modern Art. Musemum and exibition of international modern art artists.
In Vegueta you can find the Cathedral of Santa Ana. Gothic basilic was constructed in 1570 year. You shoul also visit Vegueta on Thursdays when you can enjoy tapas nights. Many locals are coming to enjoy drinks and pinchos for a price of 2/3 euros.
Teror
Small town located around 20 min away by car from capital. Placed in the mountains offers unique ambience of green hils colonial styled buildings. Also known for its pine balconies makes it a must go location. The town is also known for its Basilika "Nuestra Señora del Pino" and weekend open air markets with local specialities.
Arucas
Another town in near to capital of Palmas where you can find the factory of local rum Arheucas. You can join the tour to see the production process for free and also try many types of rums they are producing.
Thank for reading our fist blog post! I hope you found some interesting information. If you would like to know more please feel free to contact us! In following ones we will cover more in detail windsurfing and surfing spots, elements of the technique, other activites you can do on the island, locations to visit and much more!
Stay tuned!