Boquines (Moya)

Surfing
Shortboard, Advanced riders
Best for
Intermediate to Advanced
Skill Level
Swell, 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 is an exposed reef break on Gran Canaria’s northern coast near Moya, favored for its fast, fun surf and generally good wave quality. Sources describe both left and right waves, with the right-hand side often the more consistent and powerful option. The spot is typically best in winter when Atlantic swell is more reliable. For swell, the break comes alive around 1.5–2 m and can hold up to 4 m and beyond, especially with North to Northwest swells. The preferred tide is mid tide, which helps prevent the reef from becoming too shallow. The wave tends to peel fast and deliver performance-focused walls suitable for building speed and turning. Wind effects are crucial at this location. South winds are generally offshore for the break, while North winds are onshore and can degrade quality. Enrichment also indicates trade-wind influence (Alisios), with seasonal shifts that align with the spot’s winter performance pattern. Safety-wise, Boquines has clear hazards: sharp rocks, strong currents during bigger sets, heavy breaking waves, and shallow reef at low tide. Entry/exit over the rocks can be tricky, so timing the sets is important. There is no lifeguard presence reported and no dedicated on-site rescue, so riders should be confident in their ability and prepared for the reef environment.

  • Reliable reef surf in winter
  • Works best with North/Northwest swells around mid tide
  • Fast, powerful peeling waves
  • Significant reef and low-tide hazards; no on-site rescue
Great for
Surfing shortboardAdvanced ridersBeginners
What's great
  • Fast, performance-oriented reef break with good wave quality.
  • Works reliably from about 1.5–2 m up to 4 m+ with North/Northwest swell.
  • Best around mid tide; generally dependable in winter.
Heads up
  • Exposed reef hazards; rocks/reef make the entry and exit tricky.
  • Wind direction can quickly change wave quality (South offshore vs North onshore).
  • No lifeguards and no dedicated on-site rescue for most spots.
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Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
S, SSE, SW
Offshore directions
S, SSW, SW, SE
Wind Type
Trade — Trade-wind influence (Alisios) with variable onshore/offshore effects depending on swell and wind direction.
Best Months
January, February, March, October, November, December

Water & beach

Water Type
Swell, Ocean
Beach
Reef — Reef/rocky composition; sources also describe flat rocks.
Beach Size
Small
Waves
Medium — Medium waves; starts working at about 1.5–2 m and can hold up to 4 m+ with larger swell.
Launch
Small — Rocky shore with direct water access; difficult rocky entry depending on tide.
Launch Difficulty
Difficult — Difficult rocky access and hazards around rocks/low tide.

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
18–23 °C
Water Temperature
18–26 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Nov–Apr: 3/2mm or 4/3mm full suitMay–Oct: 2/2mm shorty or spring suit
Crowds by Season

Weekends can be crowded with locals with surf up; weekdays are typically much quieter.

Storm/Rain Season

Occasional rain and storms from November to February (rainfall generally low).

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

Exposed reef break with dependable surf in winter. Works best with North/Northwest swells, typically at mid tide. Provides both left and right waves, with right generally more consistent and powerful.

Reef break
Wave Direction
Both
Optimal Swell
N, NNE, NW
Swell Height
1.5–4 m
Optimal Tide
Mid — Mid tide is best; helps avoid the reef becoming too shallow.
Shelter
Exposed — Exposed reef access on the Atlantic coast; break remains exposed.
Wind Effect
Wind direction matters: South winds are generally offshore; North winds are onshore and can degrade wave quality.
Bigger Swell
Holds size well up to about 4 meters and beyond; can be powerful/fast with heavy breaking.
Wave Quality
Good
Wave Power
Powerful — Fast, fun, performance-oriented walls; handles significant swell sizes.
Wave Shape
Peeling — Fast peeling reef walls; right-hand more consistent/powerful per sources.
Peel Speed
Fast
Ride Length
Medium — Typical normal rides are 50–150 m; can extend up to ~300 m on exceptional days.
Typical Ride Length
50–150 m
Ride Length Details
50–150 m normal; up to ~300 m on exceptional days.
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
4–15 ktsGusts 22 kts
Direction
ENE71°
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 4–15 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
  • Rocks and reef hazards
  • Strong currents during large swells
  • Heavy breaking waves
  • Shallow reef at low tide
  • Exposed rocks at low tide
  • Tricky entry and exit over rocks—timing the sets is essential
Ability Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Recommended Safety Gear
WetsuitLeashBootsKnifeHelmetImpact vest

Rescue & support

Lifeguard
None — No lifeguard presence reported.
Rescue & Self-Rescue
No — No dedicated on-site rescue for most spots.
Emergency Info
Nearest medical facilities are located in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. General emergency number is 112; no dedicated on-site rescue for most spots.
Localism / Vibe
Moderate — Localism can be moderate; rules emphasize respect for local riders.

Rules of the spot

Respect local riders and standard surfing etiquette.

Restrictions
  • Avoid low tide when the reef becomes too shallow.
Local Tips
  • Best surfed at mid tide to avoid the reef becoming too shallow.
  • South winds are generally offshore for the break; North winds are onshore and can degrade quality.
  • Time your entry/exit carefully over the rocks and reef, especially around sets.

Getting there & access

Nearest City
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Nearest Town
Moya
Parking
Limited parking available along the coastal road or in nearby El Pagador.
Access
Accessible via the GC-2 coastal highway, near the village of El Pagador.
Cost Level
Moderate
Local Language
Spanish
Amenities

What's on the beach

Parking
Accommodation
Nearby town — Holiday rentals are available in Moya and El Pagador.
Food & Drink
Local restaurants and cafes are found in the nearby village of El Pagador.
Equipment Rental:
No shops directly at the spot; rentals available in Las Palmas.
Gear Storage
Limited on-site storage; most visitors rely on vehicle storage or facilities provided by schools in the capital.
Gear Repair
Specialized surfboard and wetsuit repair services available in industrial zones and surf shops in Las Palmas.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

The area

Off the water

Moya Coast offers rugged volcanic scenery, laurel-forest trails, and historic villages; it’s a surf-focused area with strong coastal infrastructure.

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, November, December, January, February, March. The best wind months are January, February, March, October, November, December.

Which wind directions work at Boquines (Moya)?

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

What skill level is Boquines (Moya) suitable for?

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