Surf spot guide · Lanzarote, Spain
Six kilometre sand-bottom bay on the north-west of Lanzarote, the island's main learner beach with shifting peaks across the sandbanks.
High Waves
Large waves up to 2.2m expected at Playa de Famara. Peak conditions around 6:00 AM.
Exercise extreme caution when entering the water. Strong currents and large waves present. Warning valid until 9:00 PM.
Playa de Famara is a six kilometre sweep of sand under the Risco de Famara cliffs on the north-west of Lanzarote, with shifting left and right peaks running the length of the bay. The centre takes the most swell and is where the surf schools cluster, while the north end speeds up and turns hollow on a dropping tide and the south end stays smaller and easier. Sandbanks shut down once faces push past roughly 2.5m. The wave is well covered with flat spots through the middle of the bay and steeper, faster sections on the outside corners, slopey overall but with the odd punchy take-off when the banks line up. It works on W to N swell with a SE offshore, which is the prevailing setup when the trades drop. The bay sits below the cliffs of the Risco, fronting the village of Caleta de Famara, and is the launch pad for boat sessions out to Las Bajas when XL groundswells arrive.
Six kilometres of shifting peaks where the Risco cliffs hold the trades offshore.
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Numbers are steady year-round, with surf schools and beginners filling the centre of the bay on most days. The sheer length of the beach means experienced surfers can usually find a peak to themselves at either end.
Open learner beach under the cliffs
Lanzarote
Dredgy, square left over shallow uneven reef on the Famara coast, lighting up only on solid W swell.
Lanzarote
Steep A-frame reef peak off La Caleta de Famara that fires a long, fast left wall on N-NW swell.
Lanzarote
Outer submerged-reef big-wave peak in Famara bay, breaking top-to-bottom on solid W to N swells.
+9 MORE →Aim for the centre of the bay when sandbanks line up and stay clear of school groups
Move to the north end on a dropping tide for faster, more hollow sections
Drop to the south end for smaller, easier walls when the centre maxes out
Park in the free roadside spaces along the village front and walk straight onto the sand
Keep an eye on the sideshore drift, you can end up well down the beach without noticing
HAZARDS · KNOW BEFORE YOU PADDLE
Walk-on sand access from the village of Caleta de Famara along the bay front. Free roadside parking is available, with no formal car park listed. Lifeguard, restrooms and surf schools operate at the beach; no showers or surf shop recorded on site.
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