El Burro
- Freeride, Shortboard
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Ocean
- Spot Type
- Crowded
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
El Burro (often called Glass Beach) is a sheltered east-coast reef break in Fuerteventura, set near the Corralejo dune area between Corralejo and Puerto del Rosario. The water is reported as crystal-clear and the bottom is reef-related (with volcanic rocks/reef and sea urchins), meaning shallow sections at low tide can increase the risk of impacts. For surfing, the spot is described as producing hollow, fast right-handers (with a possible shorter left) and generally working best around mid tide. Working swell is typically around 1.0–2.5 meters, and wave quality is reported as good. Shelter is described as sheltered to semi-sheltered depending on source wording, but reef and volcanic hazards remain the key factor—especially when swell is larger and the wave becomes more powerful or technical.
- Crystal-clear water and well-known dune setting
- Mid-tide preferred for surf
- Summer trade winds make it a versatile board-sports destination
- Sheltered east-coast reef break producing fast right-handers
- Crystal-clear water and a scenic dune setting
- Reliable trade-wind period in summer for multiple board sports (kitesurfing, windsurfing, wingfoiling)
- Reef/rock hazards are present (including sea urchins), especially at low tide
- Surf can be inconsistent; conditions may not have a strong seasonal pattern
- Crowding risk when conditions are good
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NE, E
- Offshore directions
- W
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Prevailing NNE Alisios trade winds; mild afternoon reinforcement possible.
- Reliability
- inconsistent
- Gust Factor
- Steady
- Best Months
- April, May, June, July, August, September
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach with reef/bottom hazards below the surface.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — Surf sources describe small to medium surf; reef conditions can build to 2m+ for working waves.
- Launch
- Medium — Wide sandy beach area within dunes, with space to set up equipment.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Reported as an easy setup with a wide sandy area and plenty of room to launch.
Through the year
Highest in July and August; weekends can be crowded when conditions are good.
Very little rainfall; occasional light showers between November and February.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Very popular summer spot for kitesurfing; cross-onshore trade winds support freeride and small wave riding.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Classic windsurfing location on the island; bump and jump conditions and manageable waves, described as a safer alternative to north-shore reefs.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–6 m²
Excellent for wingfoiling thanks to consistent side-onshore wind and sufficient depth once away from the immediate shore reef; best at mid to high tide.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil-friendly conditions are reported.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters over the reef sections
- Wing Sizes
- 4–5.5 m²
Sheltered east-coast reef break with hollow, fast right-handers; also offers a shorter left in some conditions. Works best around mid tide.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- E, ENE, NE
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid
- Shelter
- Sheltered — Sheltered reef setup on the east coast.
- Wind Effect
- Best with west (offshore) wind for surf; wind may be light-onshore/cross-shore at times.
- Bigger Swell
- In bigger conditions it can become powerful and hazardous over volcanic reef; can start to close out or get messy if too large.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Can be powerful/technical in winter; generally more manageable in summer (relatively soft compared to other island reef breaks).
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Sources describe hollow fast right-handers; another describes a peeling shape.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Fast right-handers reported; some sources describe medium peel speed.
- Ride Length
- Short — Normal length reported as 50–150m; typical good length around ~50m. Another source notes ride length can be up to 150m depending on swell.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Normal length typically 50–150m; typical good length ~50m; some reports cite 50–150m depending on swell consistency.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for El Burro in the full forecast view.
El Burro wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 4–14 ktsGusts 21 kts
- Direction
- ENE71°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2414 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.5–1.2 m7s period
- Temperature
- 21–26 °C
Over the next 7 days, El Burro is forecast for daytime winds of 4–14 kts, peaking around 14 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 21 kts. The prevailing direction is ENE. Waves run 0.5–1.2 m with a period of about 7s. 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
- volcanic reef
- rocks
- sea urchins
- shallow reef at low tide
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability is described as limited for the wider area; specific on-site rescue is reported as none.
- Emergency Info
- Emergency number 112. Nearest major medical facilities are in Corralejo (reported about 10 minutes away).
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild
Rules of the spot
When conditions are good, the spot can get crowded; respect surf priority. Maintain distance between kitesurfers/windsurfers and surf school groups when they are on the water.
- Designated zones may apply during peak summer months to separate kiters and swimmers.
- Avoid hitting the reef/rocks with fins or foil by waiting for mid to high tide.
- Best surfing times are morning or evening to reduce windsurfer dominance of the peak when trade winds pick up.
- Be careful with wipeouts on the volcanic reef in bigger conditions.
- Park in designated areas along the road to avoid fines or getting stuck in sand.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Corralejo
- Nearest Town
- Corralejo
- Nearest Airport
- Fuerteventura Airport (FUE)
- Parking
- Sufficient parking opportunities available near the spot, close to the dunes after the big hotels between Corralejo and Puerto del Rosario.
- Access
- Located near the sand dunes between Corralejo and Puerto del Rosario, just after the big hotels. Access involves driving from Corralejo; there is a small sandy beach with distinctive 'tower' formations. FV-1 road access; parking is available in nearby dirt pull-off areas along the main road.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous hotels and apartments in Corralejo; major accommodation is in the Corralejo area.
- Food & Drink
- No facilities on the beach itself; restaurants and bars are a short drive away in Corralejo.
- Equipment Rental:
- No rentals directly on the beach, but many shops in Corralejo offer daily rentals and transport.
- Gear Storage
- Not available at the beach.
- Gear Repair
- Repair shops located in the nearby town of Corralejo.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Massive, protected white sand dunes and expansive beaches in the Corralejo area.
Large dune and coastal landscape close to the northern surf and kite zone.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at El Burro?
The best overall months at El Burro are April, May, June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at El Burro?
El Burro works with N, NE, E winds. Offshore directions are W.
What equipment sizes are recommended at El Burro?
Recommended equipment sizes at El Burro: Kitesurfing: 7–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–6 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–5.5 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is El Burro suitable for?
El Burro suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner.