Surfing Famara & the north

Left Reef · Best Oct-Apr · 2-8 ft · Crowd 3/5

NW swell, SE offshore wind

San Juan is a long left over reef on Lanzarote's north coast, about five minutes' drive from Caleta de Famara. On a good day it links two or three sections and gets hollow, and it has hosted international contests.

It needs a specific swell direction and tide, so it doesn't break every day, and it's best for intermediate and advanced surfers. Local surfers watch the forecast closely, so expect company when it's on.

It works best on a north-west swell with a south-east wind, mostly from October to April. The reef is sharp and shallow, so booties help. Caleta de Famara is the base, with plenty of places to stay, and if San Juan is too big, Famara beach is right next door.

Beach/Reef · Best Year-round · 1-5 ft · Crowd 2/5

Small-mod swell

Arrieta is a small fishing village on Lanzarote's north-east coast, with a wave over sand and rock right by the town. It's easier than the heavy reefs around La Santa.

Facing a different direction, it sometimes works when the north-west coast is blown out or too big. Best on a small to medium swell. Órzola, a few kilometres north, has the ferry to La Graciosa.

Arrieta has a few seafood restaurants by the water, and the Jameos del Agua, César Manrique's caves, are a few minutes north.

Reef/Beach · Best Oct-Apr · 2-7 ft · Crowd 1/5

Clean swell

Órzola is a fishing village at the northern tip of Lanzarote, where the ferry leaves for La Graciosa. There are a few reef and beach peaks around it that pick up north swell, on a coast with very little building.

Far fewer people surf here than around La Santa. If you take the ferry, La Graciosa has some uncrowded waves of its own.

It's best on a clean north swell, and the beaches of Caletón Blanco, just south, are good for a swim on flat days.

Beach Break · Best Year-round · 1-8 ft · Crowd 3/5

N-NW swell, SE offshore wind, all tides

Famara is the 6 km beach below the Famara cliffs on the north-west coast of Lanzarote, and the centre of surfing on the island. Most of the island's surf schools work here.

The beach is open to every north and north-west swell, so there are waves almost every day, with peaks along the whole length of the sand. The southern end near the village is where most people surf. The north-east trade wind usually blows cross-shore, so mornings are best.

The currents are strong when the swell is up. It's a good beach to learn on when it's small.