Boquines (Moya)

Surfing
Advanced riders
Best for
Advanced
Skill Level
Chop, Ocean
Spot Type
Busy
Crowd Level

This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.

About this spot

About

Boquines (Moya) is an exposed reef break on Gran Canaria’s north coast, best known for a fast, powerful right-hand wave. The spot has two options (left and right), but the right is the primary direction surfers come for; the left is described as particularly fast and hollow. Surf performance is described as highly dependent on swell and tide. Sources consistently point to a mid-tide window and a preference for north to northwest swell, with south to southeast winds improving the session. When the swell builds, the wave is said to keep its shape but can become significantly heavier, with performance shifting toward an expert-only feel. Seasonally, October is highlighted as the peak month, with winter into early spring emphasized for better consistency and swell. Summer conditions are described as more often flat, limiting opportunities outside the core season. Access and safety are key here: the launch/entry involves rocky conditions near the ravine/shore, with sharp rocks, sea urchins, and submerged reef hazards noted. Rescue is described as unavailable, lifeguards are not present, and the lineup is locally valued—so plan carefully around mid-tide, observe local surfers first, and be prepared for a technical, high-risk reef environment.

  • Well-known dependable right-hand reef break
  • October peak; strong winter swell window
  • Fast, hollow, high-performance sections (especially on the right)
  • Mid-tide is repeatedly flagged as the best timing
Great for
Advanced riders
What's great
  • Dependant exposed reef break with a well-known, dependable right-hand section
  • Best conditions are concentrated in October and the winter swell season
  • Powerful, fast hollow-style sections suited to advanced surfers
Heads up
  • Rocky reef access with tricky entry/exit
  • Advanced, high-performance wave that can become heavier on bigger swell
  • No on-site rescue/lifeguard coverage
  • Crowds can build on winter weekends
  • Localism in the lineup
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Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
S, SSE
Offshore directions
S, SSE
Wind Range
5–15 kts
Wind Type
Trade — South to southeast winds are described as trade-wind influenced (with mixed onshore/offshore behavior depending on the exact direction).
Reliability
Low for offshore surfing conditions; spot is often dominated by onshore North/Northeast trades
Gust Factor
Moderate gusts
Best Months
October, November, December, January, February, March

Water & beach

Water Type
Chop, Ocean
Beach
Rocks — Reef with rocky/reef composition
Beach Size
Small
Waves
Medium — Surf is described as having powerful/potentially heavier conditions; one source assigns a medium wave size.
Chop Level
Heavy chop — Water described as chop.
Launch
Small — Rocky entry and exit from the shore near the mouth of the ravine

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
18–24 °C
Water Temperature
18–28 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
May–Oct: 3/2mm shorty or spring suitJan, Feb, Mar: 4/3mm full suit (winter mornings)Apr–Dec: 3/2mm (spring and autumn)
Crowds by Season

Peak crowds during winter weekends; quieter during summer months when it is often flat

Storm/Rain Season

Occasional rain in winter months (December–February)

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

Exposed high-performance right-hand reef break. Two directions exist (right is the main focus; the left is described as fast and hollow). Best with north/northwest swell and south–southeast winds around mid-tide.

Reef break
Wave Direction
Right
Optimal Swell
N, NNW
Swell Height
1–3.5 m
Optimal Tide
Mid — Mid tide is repeatedly indicated as the best timing.
Shelter
Exposed — Exposed reef break.
Wind Effect
South or southeast winds provide cleaner/offshore-leaning conditions; north winds are described as onshore and messy (south winds are the best match overall).
Bigger Swell
Maintains its shape well in larger swells, but becomes significantly heavier and can become expert-only.
Wave Quality
Good
Wave Power
Powerful
Wave Shape
Hollow
Peel Speed
Fast
Ride Length
Medium — Fast, powerful rides with hollow/possible barrel sections.
Typical Ride Length
50–150 m
Ride Length Details
Typical fast rides that can include hollow sections; sources also describe hollow/contained/barrel opportunities.
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Boquines (Moya) in the full forecast view.

Boquines (Moya) wind and wave forecast summary

Wind
5–15 ktsGusts 22 kts
Direction
ENE73°
Strongest day
Sat, Oct 2415 kts
Windy days
2/712 kts or more
Waves
0.7–1.7 m10s period
Temperature
23–26 °C

Over the next 7 days, Boquines (Moya) is forecast for daytime winds of 5–15 kts, peaking around 15 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 22 kts. The prevailing direction is ENE. Waves run 0.7–1.7 m with a period of about 10s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

What to know before you launch

Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.

Hazards

  • Sharp rocks
  • Sea urchins
  • Submerged reef
  • Strong currents during large swells
  • Rocky reef
  • Fast and hollow wave (left option)
  • Localism
Ability Level: Advanced
Recommended Safety Gear
WetsuitBoots

Rescue & support

Rescue & Self-Rescue
No
Emergency Info
General emergency number is 112.
Localism / Vibe
Moderate — Spot is highly valued by local riders; line-up respect is emphasized.

Rules of the spot

Standard surfing etiquette applies; respect the local lineup as the spot is highly valued by local riders.

Local Tips
  • 99% of surfers prefer the right hander (the left rips fast and hollow).
  • Observe local surfers before attempting the rocky entry/exit.
  • Best surfed at mid-tide to help avoid hitting the reef when it is too shallow or having the wave get too soft at high tide.

Getting there & access

Nearest City
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Nearest Town
Moya
Parking
Limited parking available along the road or within the nearby village of El Roque
Access
Accessible via the GC-2 coastal road; a short walk from the roadside to the shore
Cost Level
Moderate
Local Language
Spanish
Amenities

What's on the beach

Accommodation
Nearby town — Guesthouses and rentals available in El Roque, Moya, and Arucas.
Food & Drink
Local restaurants and bars are located in the nearby village of El Roque.
Equipment Rental:
No rentals at the spot; surf shops are located in Las Palmas or nearby coastal towns.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

The area

Off the water

The Moya region combines rugged natural landscapes with traditional Canarian culture, with steep ravines and laurel-forest areas within reach of the coast.

Best time to visit: Autumn is ideal for pleasant weather and best surfing conditions.
Los Tilos de Moya8km

One of the last remaining laurel forest strongholds on the island, with scenic hiking trails.

Church of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria6km

Iconic cliff-edge church overlooking the Moya barranco.

Cueva Pintada Museum (Galdar)12km

Major archaeological site showcasing pre-Hispanic Guanche culture.

Coastal Hiking0km

Rugged trails along the northern volcanic cliffs connecting various surf breaks.

Restaurante El Roque1km

Traditional Canarian seafood with ocean views directly on the coast.

Las Salinas de Agaete20km

Natural rock pools protected from the open ocean, ideal for swimming.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

Latest reported conditions

Spot questions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best season at Boquines (Moya)?

The best overall months at Boquines (Moya) are October. The best wind months are October, November, December, January, February, March.

Which wind directions work at Boquines (Moya)?

Boquines (Moya) works with S, SSE winds. Offshore directions are S, SSE.

What skill level is Boquines (Moya) suitable for?

Boquines (Moya) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced.