Boquines (Moya)
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
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
- 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
- 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
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
Peak crowds during winter weekends; quieter during summer months when it is often flat
Occasional rain in winter months (December–February)
By sport
What to expect for each.
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.
- 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.
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.
Other spots in the area
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
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.
- 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
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.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
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.
One of the last remaining laurel forest strongholds on the island, with scenic hiking trails.
Iconic cliff-edge church overlooking the Moya barranco.
Major archaeological site showcasing pre-Hispanic Guanche culture.
Rugged trails along the northern volcanic cliffs connecting various surf breaks.
Traditional Canarian seafood with ocean views directly on the coast.
Natural rock pools protected from the open ocean, ideal for swimming.
From riders who've been here
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.