Boquines (Moya)
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
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
- 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.
- 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.
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
Weekends can be crowded with locals with surf up; weekdays are typically much quieter.
Occasional rain and storms from November to February (rainfall generally low).
By sport
What to expect for each.
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.
- 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.
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.
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
- 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
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.
- Avoid low tide when the reef becomes too shallow.
- 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
What's on the beach
- 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.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
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.
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, 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.