El Cabezo (Tenerife)
- Wave, Freestyle
- Best for
- Expert
- Skill Level
- Chop, Small waves, Medium waves, Ocean
- Spot Type
- 11.6–15.4 kts
- Wind Range
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 Cabezo is a high-performance wave spot on Tenerife’s El Médano coast, centered on NE trade-wind conditions. It’s primarily a windsurf venue where riders come for jumping and wave-riding performance in choppy, exposed conditions. The physical layout is technically demanding: a sandy launch area with narrow entry between sharp volcanic rocks, including the protruding 'Godzilla' rock, plus additional submerged rocks at/near the rocky points. Multiple safety notes emphasize avoiding the wrong part of the beach at mid-to-high tide and carefully checking the entry channel before launching—missing the narrow channel can send riders into the rocks. Wind is strongest during late spring through early autumn (May through September). Reported typical speeds in one dataset are roughly 11.6–15.4 knots, with gusts potentially higher; trade winds are described as steady, and summer months are noted as particularly reliable. Winds can also be less dependable near buildings downwind of rocks. For progression planning, the spot is firmly positioned as expert-level. Hazards include heavy shorebreak, strong lateral drift and rip currents (notably when swell is larger), and additional risks like sea urchins. In-water rescue coverage is described as limited overall; lifeguards are seasonal, and best practice is to coordinate with locals for entries/exits and to respect local rider priority in the wave zone.
- World-class, PWA-level wave sailing conditions
- NE trade-wind season concentrated in May through September
- Expert-only technical narrow launch with significant rock hazards
- Cross-onshore wind setup that can create strong ramps for jumping
- High-performance wave zone for jumping and wave riding
- Consistent Northeast trade winds with a reliable wind season (May–September)
- Crystal-clear water reported
- Strong local watersports infrastructure in nearby El Médano
- Expert-only technical launch over sharp volcanic rocks
- Hazardous rocks (including 'Godzilla') and narrow entry
- Strong lateral drift/rip currents and heavy shorebreak reported
- Unreliable wind near buildings downwind of rocks
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE
- Wind Range
- 11.6–15.4 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Alisios (Northeast trade-wind pattern).
- Reliability
- 200 days/year (about 70% planing winds) and high reliability in summer trade-wind months.
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Gustiness reported as steady; gusts can reach higher peaks during the typical wind season.
- Best Months
- May, June, July, August, September
- Shadow Zones
- Unreliable wind near buildings downwind of rocks.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop, Small waves, Medium waves, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach reported, with mixed/rocky bottom conditions due to volcanic rocks.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Big — Waves described as up to ~3 m for jumping/riding in windsurf context; surf descriptions also include big-wave conditions.
- Chop Level
- Heavy chop — Chop reported as part of the wave/wind face description.
- Launch
- Medium — Sandy launch with two narrow launch areas; also described as a narrow channel between sharp volcanic rocks requiring precise timing.
Through the year
Can be crowded with high-level riders during summer afternoons; locals-focused.
Rain is rare; occasional winter storms reported between November and February.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Advanced wave spot where kitesurfers share the break with windsurfers; rocky, narrow entry and strong local knowledge are essential.
- Kite Sizes
- 6–9 m²
World-class wave spot and regular venue for high-level wave sailing; known for excellent jumping and wave-riding, with NE trade winds providing the best cross-onshore setup.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.7–5.3 m²
Generally not recommended due to shallow rocks and a narrow launch channel; potential for gear damage on volcanic reef is noted.
- Foil Friendly
- No — Foil-friendly status reported as no.
- Min Depth
- 2.0m
- Wing Sizes
- 3–4.5 m²
Surfing is possible, but the area is primarily a wind-sports wave zone; conditions can be exposed and technical over volcanic rock.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- N, NW, W
- Optimal Tide
- High — One surf description favors high tide; other notes (and safety tips) indicate low tide can make rocks more visible, though shorebreak may concentrate.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed conditions.
- Wind Effect
- Cross-onshore wind (from the left in trade-wind conditions) can chop the face but helps create strong ramps for jumping.
- Bigger Swell
- Can become extremely heavy and dangerous with large NW swells.
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Surf quality described as excellent in one report.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Waves described as powerful, with up to ~3 m reported in windsurf context.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling wave shape reported; windsurf and surf descriptions align on peeling characteristics.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peel speed reported as medium; another description notes fast peeling depending on conditions.
- Ride Length
- Ride length varies by setup; one description cites medium rides and typical surf ride lengths of about 50–100 m in surf conditions.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Fast, technical rides with multiple sections are described; left-hand wave reported as more consistent.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for El Cabezo (Tenerife) in the full forecast view.
El Cabezo (Tenerife) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 6–18 ktsGusts 27 kts
- Direction
- ENE58°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2418 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.4–1.4 m6s period
- Temperature
- 22–28 °C
Over the next 7 days, El Cabezo (Tenerife) is forecast for daytime winds of 6–18 kts, peaking around 18 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 27 kts. The prevailing direction is ENE. Waves run 0.4–1.4 m with a period of about 6s. 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
- protruding rock 'Godzilla' (~20 m right of launch spot)
- submerged rock at rocky point facing village
- sharp volcanic rocks
- sea urchins
- strong lateral drift and rip currents (especially when swell is large)
- dangerous rocks at high tide
- unreliable wind near buildings downwind of rocks
- narrow launch channel/precise timing between wave sets
- heavy shorebreak
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguards reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Spot-level info conflicts: one source reports rescue availability as yes, while another reports no; regional context indicates rescue is limited via main-beach seasonal coverage and local watersports safety boats.
- Emergency Info
- Emergency number: 112. Nearest major hospital referenced: Hospiten Sur (El Mojón).
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Localism described as mild in some notes and moderate in others; in all cases, inexperienced riders are discouraged from interfering in the wave zone.
Rules of the spot
Best practice: talk to local before going on water.
- No-go zone for beginners
- Designated swimming areas must be avoided
- Priority is usually given to windsurfers during high-wind days; kiteboarders should respect local rotation in the wave zone
- Avoid the middle of the beach at mid-high tide.
- Go upwind side in front of dunes.
- Watch the 'Godzilla' rock at mid-to-high tide as it can be hidden just below the surface.
- Study the narrow launch channel before entering; if you miss it, you will likely end up on the rocks.
- Low tide is generally safer for visibility of rocks, but shorebreak can be more concentrated.
- Locals don't tolerate inexperienced riders getting in the way.
- Ask locals for entries/exits.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- El Médano (5 km)
- Nearest Town
- Granadilla de Abona
- Nearest Airport
- Tenerife South Airport (TFS / Reina Sofía)
- Parking
- Parking available at the spot; limited parking also referenced in nearby dirt lot and surrounding streets.
- Public Transport
- Regional bus services connect El Médano with other parts of Tenerife and the airport corridor (TITSA network).
- Access
- Fly to Tenerife Sur Airport (TFS). El Médano is about a 5-minute drive; access is via the coastal path/road from El Médano.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Arenas del Mar hotel nearby; camper area available; numerous apartments/hotels/hostels in El Médano.
- Food & Drink
- Food available on the spot; beach bar (chiringuito) next to Arenas del Mar hotel.
- Equipment Rental:
- Some only for wave surfing; no dedicated windsurf rental centers referenced at the spot itself.
- Gear Storage
- Autocaravan (camper) area available; some gear storage referenced at centers in El Médano.
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 El Cabezo (Tenerife)?
The best overall months at El Cabezo (Tenerife) are May, June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at El Cabezo (Tenerife)?
El Cabezo (Tenerife) works with NE winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at El Cabezo (Tenerife)?
Recommended equipment sizes at El Cabezo (Tenerife): Kitesurfing: 6–9 m² · Windsurfing: 4.7–5.3 m² · Wingfoiling: 3–4.5 m². The typical wind range is 11.6–15.4 kts.
What skill level is El Cabezo (Tenerife) suitable for?
El Cabezo (Tenerife) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Expert · Windsurfing: Expert · Wingfoiling: Expert · Surfing: Expert.