Caleta de Caballo
- Advanced riders
- Best for
- Expert
- Skill Level
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Caleta de Caballo is a demanding Lanzarote reef break centered on a powerful right-hand. The right is described as very fast and hollow, with a performance-oriented character that can remain fast as the swell increases—yet the shallow, sharp reef makes it unforgiving, especially on low tide. The left is described as longer and more mellow over lava with deeper water and is comparatively less dangerous. What makes the spot strictly for experienced surfers is the combination of reef hazards (sharp volcanic rock, reef/coral, and sea urchins) plus current risk. During larger NW swell conditions, strong rip currents can occur, and guides emphasize that entering/exiting safely is highly dependent on tide and the exact line through the rocks. One source also notes that right-hand conditions are especially risky due to rock proximity, even when the wave itself looks rideable. Access is straightforward from the Caleta de Famara–La Santa road: turn toward the coast at the small seaside village of Caleta de Caballo, with instant beach access once you arrive. Parking is limited in the village streets, so plan accordingly. Wind can vary; South and Southeast winds are described as giving cleaner offshore conditions, while Northern winds can make it choppy. Wind reliability is noted as low, and high cliffs to the south may create wind-shadow effects. Local presence is a major factor here. Multiple sources stress strong localism: visitors should be extremely respectful, wait their turn in the lineup, and watch experienced locals for the safest entry and exit points. There are no surf-shop/service offerings within the town itself according to the guidance provided; bring needed gear and plan for support in nearby areas if required.
- Fast, powerful, performance reef right-hander (hollow described)
- Long left over lava with deeper water
- Sensitive to tide and reef depth; verify locally
- Strong localism—respect lineup and wait your turn
- Powerful, fast, high-performance right-hand reef break
- Can deliver long rides (especially on the left) for experienced surfers
- Regional-classic wave quality when conditions line up
- Spot is accessible quickly from the village/road
- Advanced, high-risk reef environment with sharp volcanic rock and shallow sections at low tide
- Strong localism; visitors must be very respectful and wait their turn
- Potential for strong rip currents during larger NW swells
- No lifeguards/rescue not indicated for this spot
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- S, SE, E
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Trade-wind (alisios) conditions; wind reliability can be low at this spot.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- October, November, December, January
- Shadow Zones
- High cliffs to the south can create wind shadows in certain directions.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Reef — Reef/rocky volcanic shoreline; reef and rocks with some sand mentioned in spot notes.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — Another provider describes medium wave size depending on swell.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Northern winds can make it choppy and unrideable.
- Launch
- Small — Beach access directly at the village; rocky entry through a small slipway or narrow gaps in the reef.
Through the year
Can be crowded with locals during peak winter swells; very quiet during the summer off-season.
Very low rainfall; occasional wind storms in winter months.
By sport
What to expect for each.
High-performance reef break with a powerful, fast right-hander that is sensitive to tide and requires advanced-level technical control. Works best when the reef is not too shallow.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- NW, WNW, N
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low — Conflicting tide guidance between sources: some guides say best at low tide, while others say best at high tide / all tides. Treat tide choice as crucial and verify locally.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Described as semi-sheltered by spot-level guidance; also described as exposed by another provider.
- Wind Effect
- South and Southeast winds are described as providing clean offshore conditions; Northern winds can make it choppy and unrideable (spot-level note).
- Bigger Swell
- Can handle significant NW swell size, but becomes very heavy and dangerous with strong currents; holds size and remains fast/hollow up to the offshore limit.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Regional-classic quality noted, with performance walls on the right.
- Wave Power
- Powerful
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Right-hand described as very fast and hollow; left described as long and mellow.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Fast right-hand performance.
- Ride Length
- Short — Right is short (<50 m); good days can also produce longer rides (up to ~150 m) depending on the section/tide/swell.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Right: short (<50 m). Left: long and mellow over lava with deep water; some sources describe rides ranging roughly 50–150 m on good days.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Caleta de Caballo in the full forecast view.
Caleta de Caballo wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 5–16 ktsGusts 24 kts
- Direction
- NE55°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2416 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.0–2.0 m10s period
- Temperature
- 20–28 °C
Over the next 7 days, Caleta de Caballo is forecast for daytime winds of 5–16 kts, peaking around 16 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 24 kts. The prevailing direction is NE. Waves run 1.0–2.0 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
- Rocks
- Reef
- Coral
- Sharp volcanic rock / sharp coral
- Sea urchins
- Shallow reef sections at low tide
- Rips possible near sheltered end / during large NW swells
- Submerged rocks
- Heavy localism
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major medical facilities are in Arrecife (~20 km). General emergency number is 112.
- Localism / Vibe
- Heavy — Strong local presence; visitors should be very respectful and wait their turn in the lineup.
Rules of the spot
Localism can be quite strong—be very respectful in the lineup and wait your turn.
- Not suitable for beginners or surf schools
- Experienced surfers only; right-hand break is especially risky around rocks
- Strict respect for the local lineup is mandatory
- Check the tide carefully; the reef is very shallow at low tide.
- Watch locals for the safest entry and exit points through the rocks.
- The left wave is described as less dangerous than the right (different break characteristics).
- Experienced riders only; the right is dangerous due to rock proximity and very fast speed.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Arrecife
- Nearest Town
- La Santa
- Parking
- Limited parking available within the small village streets near the water.
- Access
- Accessible via the road connecting Caleta de Famara and La Santa; turn toward the coast at the small village of Caleta de Caballo. Instant access (<5 min walk) from the access road; alternatively reachable via a coastal hiking route (~11 km).
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Holiday rentals are available in the village, though limited compared to Famara.
- Food & Drink
- Small local cafes are available in the village; more options in nearby La Santa.
- Equipment Rental:
- No rentals available on-site; equipment must be brought from Famara or La Santa.
- Gear Repair
- Basic gear repair available in nearby towns of Famara or La Santa; also referenced as available in nearby areas.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Caleta de Caballo?
The best overall months at Caleta de Caballo are October, November, December, January, February, March, April, May. The best wind months are October, November, December, January.
Which wind directions work at Caleta de Caballo?
Caleta de Caballo works with S, SE, E winds.
What skill level is Caleta de Caballo suitable for?
Caleta de Caballo suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced.