El Cable (Playa Honda)
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Intermediate to Expert
- Skill Level
- Flat
- Spot Type
- Moderate
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 Cable (Playa Honda) is a sheltered right-hand reef break over a volcanic/lava reef. It’s described as a point/reef-style setup that can produce quality when the combination of swell and wind aligns—otherwise conditions may be unimpressive, and the spot’s performance can be inconsistent. The main hazard is the reef and rocks: the entry and takeoff area can be compromised by shallow water, especially at very low tide. Sources specifically recommend avoiding the reef at very low tide and treating mid to high tide as the safer window for more clearance over the rocks. Standard surfing etiquette applies, and locals frequently use the peak, so lineup respect is important. Wind-wise, west winds are repeatedly tied to better conditions: offshore west winds are said to groom the waves, while onshore winds are described as messy. One source notes the spot can only work when conditions are just right (including a best fit with SW–W wind/swell pairings), and another provides a more seasonal picture with best months concentrated in autumn through winter. Overall, it’s a low-profile reef spot best approached by experienced/intermediate surfers who are comfortable with rocky bottom hazards and variable access/entry depending on tide.
- Sheltered right-hand reef break
- Offshore west winds groom waves
- Rock/reef hazards—choose tide carefully
- Right-hand reef/pivot waves with good quality on the right days.
- Offshore west winds help groom the waves.
- Convenient access via Playa Honda/area promenade routes (car park and/or paddling entry described).
- Rocky volcanic reef hazards (sharp rocks and sea urchins reported).
- Risky entry/shallows at very low tide—reef can become dangerously shallow.
- Works only when conditions line up (swell and wind), and reliability is described as inconsistent/medium.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, NW
- Offshore directions
- W
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — West winds are reported for the spot; the regional pattern is trade-wind (Alisios) with N/NE influence.
- Reliability
- medium
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts
- Best Months
- January, February, March, October, November, December
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat
- Beach
- Rocks — At high tide there is a sand beach; at low tide it is only rock.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium
- Launch
- Medium — At high tide a sand entry exists; at low tide it can be only rock. Carry board down from the car park; alternatively paddle in from La Concha.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Board carry/paddle required from the car park; entry depends on tide.
Through the year
Can be crowded on weekends and during good swells.
Rain is rare but most likely between November and February.
By sport
What to expect for each.
A sheltered reef break producing right-hand point/reef waves over a volcanic/lava reef. It only works when conditions align (swell and wind) and can become very shallow at low tide.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- SW, N, NW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid, All tides — Sources disagree slightly (one guide says mid tide; another says all-tides). Both agree that low tide increases rock/shallow hazard—aim for mid to high when possible.
- Shelter
- Sheltered
- Wind Effect
- Works best with offshore winds from the west, grooming the waves; west winds reported as best, while east/onshore winds are described as messy.
- Bigger Swell
- Can handle larger swells but becomes heavy and challenging.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Can offer rides between 50 to 150 meters on good days.
- Ride Length Details
- Rides commonly 50 to 150 meters on good days.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for El Cable (Playa Honda) in the full forecast view.
El Cable (Playa Honda) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 4–16 ktsGusts 26 kts
- Direction
- NE49°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2416 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.2–0.7 m4s period
- Temperature
- 21–27 °C
Over the next 7 days, El Cable (Playa Honda) is forecast for daytime winds of 4–16 kts, peaking around 16 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 26 kts. The prevailing direction is NE. Waves run 0.2–0.7 m with a period of about 4s. 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
- Lava reef and rocks
- Shallow reef
- Sharp rocks
- Sea urchins
- Avoid the reef at very low tide as it becomes dangerously shallow
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Spot-level guidance indicates no rescue coverage; regional context notes limited rescue availability primarily via local lifeguards during peak hours and Spanish Red Cross.
- Emergency Info
- Universal emergency number 112; nearest health center is in Playa Honda and main hospital is in Arrecife.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Locals frequent the spot; respect local priorities on the peak.
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies; respect local priorities on the peak.
- Watch out for rocks.
- Avoid the reef at very low tide; mid to high tide is recommended for more safety clearance over the rocks.
- If entering from the car park at high tide, carry your board down; at low tide the entry can be only rock.
- Respect the lineup (locals frequent the spot).
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- San Bartolomé
- Nearest Town
- Playa Honda
- Parking
- Parking at the car park near El Cable; expect a long carry/paddle from the car park to reach the spot.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Accommodation available in Playa Honda and the adjacent Playa Honda–Puerto del Carmen–Arrecife corridor.
- Food & Drink
- Numerous cafes and restaurants along the Playa Honda beachfront.
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 Cable (Playa Honda)?
The best overall months at El Cable (Playa Honda) are October, November, December, January, February, March. The best wind months are January, February, March, October, November, December.
Which wind directions work at El Cable (Playa Honda)?
El Cable (Playa Honda) works with W, NW winds. Offshore directions are W.
What skill level is El Cable (Playa Honda) suitable for?
El Cable (Playa Honda) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate to Expert.