El Chalet (Guía de Isora)
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Expert
- Skill Level
- Ocean
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 Chalet is a fairly exposed reef break in Alcalá (Guía de Isora) known for powerful, high-performance surfing over a shallow volcanic reef. The break produces both left and right-hand waves and is often described as a regular, consistent option when the right swell and wind alignment come together. It’s rated for experienced/advanced riders because the bottom is reef/rocky, entries are tricky, and conditions can become punishing when the tide rises. In terms of conditions, spot guides highlight a best month around January and generally point to northeast wind as the key factor—E/NE winds are typically offshore for the break, which helps groom cleaner wave faces. The local wind pattern is tied to trades, and the surrounding terrain/cliffs can provide shelter from strong trades at times. Overall wind reliability is described as fairly consistent to moderate depending on the reference, with typical ranges reported around 10–20 knots. Surf is described as starting to work around 1.0–1.5 meters and potentially holding up to about 3 meters or more on better days. Better performance is associated with NW/Northwest swell, with some references also noting westward components. Wave quality is commonly described as good/“regional classic,” and on the best days the waves can show hollow sections. Ride lengths are usually short, but can extend to roughly 50–150 meters on optimal days. Safety planning is important here: hazards include sharp reef/rocks, and sea urchins are specifically called out. Localism is repeatedly emphasized (from moderate to heavy, with a strict existing lineup/wave order). The safest approach is to respect local surfers, avoid surfing at very high tide when waves break onto rocks, and enter carefully from the rocky edge near the chalet building. Lifeguard presence is reported as none; medical services are available via nearby health centers and hospitals in Adeje.
- Offshore E/NE winds can improve wave face quality.
- Reef break with hollow sections and both left and right-handers.
- Works from ~1.0–1.5m and can hold up to ~3m+.
- Offshore E/NE winds can produce cleaner faces.
- Both left and right-hand waves; can hold size up to ~3 meters+.
- Advanced/experienced surfers only due to shallow reef and dangerous rocky entry.
- Localism is described as heavy—expect a strict lineup hierarchy and risk of conflict.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE
- Offshore directions
- NE
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Northeast trade-wind pattern; best when trades are offshore for the break.
- Reliability
- fairly consistent
- Gust Factor
- Steady
- Best Months
- January
- Shadow Zones
- Often sheltered from strong trade winds by the high cliffs and terrain of Tenerife
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Reef — Reef/rocky coastline; reef composition noted.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Medium waves reported; works from ~1.0–1.5m and can build to ~3m+.
- Launch
- Small — Rocky entry from the promenade or small pebble beach area.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Difficult/technical rocky entry over sharp volcanic reef.
Through the year
Can be crowded on weekends and during peak winter swell days; fewer crowds during the week.
Rain is infrequent but most likely between December and February.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Fairly exposed reef break with regularly working swell; powerful, high-performance reef waves for experienced surfers. Best when a Northwest swell lines up with offshore wind, with both left and right-hand waves.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- N, NNE, NW, W
- Swell Height
- 1–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low — Low and mid tide are preferred; rising tide also workable per spot guide notes.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed reef setup with limited protection; heavy on the rocks at higher tide.
- Wind Effect
- East and Northeast winds are offshore, grooming the waves for cleaner faces (offshore-best).
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size well up to about 3 meters or more; becomes significantly more powerful and expert-only at higher swell.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Regional classic; generally good quality when wind is offshore.
- Wave Power
- Powerful
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Can show hollow sections on the better days.
- Peel Speed
- Fast
- Ride Length
- Short — Typical rides are short on average, with best-day good length.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Waves typically offer rides between 50 and 150 meters on optimal days; normal length reported as short (<50m) elsewhere, with best-day length improving.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for El Chalet (Guía de Isora) in the full forecast view.
El Chalet (Guía de Isora) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–7 ktsGusts 17 kts
- Direction
- S189°
- Strongest day
- Thu, Oct 297 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.7–1.5 m11s period
- Temperature
- 21–29 °C
Over the next 7 days, El Chalet (Guía de Isora) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–7 kts, peaking around 7 kts on Thursday, October 29 with gusts to 17 kts. The prevailing direction is S. Waves run 0.7–1.5 m with a period of about 11s. 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
- Sharp volcanic reef
- Reef/coral and sharp reef-rocky bottom
- Sea urchins
- Heavy localism
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Spot-level info indicates no on-site rescue; regional maritime services cover the coastline.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest health center is in Alcalá; larger hospital facilities are located in Adeje.
- Localism / Vibe
- Heavy — Strict hierarchy in the lineup; strong local presence.
Rules of the spot
Beware of localism; follow the existing wave order/lineup hierarchy.
- Advanced surfers only.
- Avoid surfing at very high tide when waves break onto rocks.
- Left-hand wave is generally the more dominant and longer.
- Enter carefully from the rocky edge near the chalet building.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Puerto Santiago
- Nearest Town
- Guíªª de Isora
- Parking
- Street parking is available in Alcalá, though it can be difficult to find a spot close to the water on weekends.
- Access
- In Alcalá, go to Puerto Santiago and turn to Varadero. Instant access (<5 min walking distance).
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Various apartments and hotels are available in Alcalá and the surrounding Guía de Isora area.
- Food & Drink
- Numerous local restaurants and cafes are located within walking distance in Alcalá.
- Equipment Rental:
- No dedicated surf rentals on the beach; shops are located 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 El Chalet (Guía de Isora)?
The best overall months at El Chalet (Guía de Isora) are January, February, March, April, October, November, December. The best wind months are January.
Which wind directions work at El Chalet (Guía de Isora)?
El Chalet (Guía de Isora) works with NE winds. Offshore directions are NE.
What skill level is El Chalet (Guía de Isora) suitable for?
El Chalet (Guía de Isora) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced to Expert.