Playa de Famara surf guide
Surf: 6 kms of curving beach that receives swell from W-N and handles wind from SW-E. Centre of the bay receives the most of the swell, but the sandbanks will close out at around 8-10ft faces. North end can get fast and hollow at lower tide while south end is smaller and easier.
Environment: Super consistent and relatively free of localism hassles. Perfect for learner/improvers and plenty of space for the surf school operators. Be aware of strong sideshore drift and currents. Isolated, so care with belongings is required.
Surf: General: This huge arc of dark, volcanic sand is a real wave magnet, facing north by the village of Famara, then bends away for over six kilometres to face northwest. The middle of the bay really Hoovers up North Atlantic swell, but is smaller toward the village where the beginners and surf schools tend to congregate. When small there are numerous fun peaks to enjoy, but gets heavy as the size increases. Busy, but loads of room to spread out. Super popular tourist destination. Winds coming off the Sahara can be brutal!
Tides: All tides
Size: Waist high to overhead.
Wind: S, SE
Swell: NW, N
Bottom: Sand with a shelf of reef near town.
Paddling: Not too bad when smaller, heavy rips can form as the size ramps up.
Spot Rating: Huge beach break that is home to some excellent banks, can be fun and rippable or heavy and hollow. A beach break alternative on an island of epic reefs.
Access: Loads of parking at the beach.
Crowds: Crowd Factor: Busy peak season.
Local Vibe: Compared to many breaks on the island the welcome is positively glowing. Having said that, there is still a strong and competitive local crew.
Environment: Good
Hazards: Powerful waves when big, rips, rocks near village. vicious wind and sand combo.
Season: Works year round but a super popular winter spot - December to February.