The Surf Window

Maspalomas

Gran Canaria, Spain

Beach breakBeginner

At Gran Canaria's southern tip, Maspalomas is dominated by massive sand dunes, a UNESCO protected desert landscape meeting the Atlantic, where the reef and beach breaks can fire on south swells in a spectacular but heavily touristed setting.

Typical Conditions

The Surf Window

Swell Window

N
OptimalN (0°)
WindowNNW–ENE (330°–60°)
Size–SW 1–2m at 10–14s

Wind

N

Light to NE under 15 knots

Tide

Mid tide

LowMidHigh

Season

Jun–Sep

JFMAMJJASOND

The Wave

Type

Beach and reef break

Bottom

Sand and rock

Shape

Rights off the point, beach peaks near the dunes

Length

60–120m

Skill Level

  • •Who it's for: Intermediate surfers
  • •Why: Consistent south swells in summer but tourist crowds complicate things

Hazards

  • •Very crowded with tourists in peak season
  • •Rocks on the reef sections
  • •The nudist resort areas adjacent to the surf zone create unusual lineup dynamics

Local Tips

  • •The Maspalomas dunes (3km²) are extraordinary, sunrise and sunset are magical
  • •The lighthouse point focuses the south swells into the best shape
  • •Come in June before the peak summer crowds, south swells are there but beaches less packed

Location

Map showing the location of Maspalomas in Gran Canaria, Spain

27.7528, -15.5971