El Roque (Taganana)
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 Roque (Taganana) is an exposed sandbar surf break on Tenerife’s north coast that can produce hollow, fast, powerful surf with both lefts and rights. The wave performance is highly dependent on sand movement, and the break is described as only working once in a while with no consistent seasonal pattern. When conditions line up, the spot is known for a strong “regional classic” quality—powerful, hollow waves with a fast peel and a fun, energetic feel. Best results are described with north swell (and related NW/W/SW directions depending on the swell) combined with South or South-East winds, which can act as offshore grooming for the face. It’s suitable across all tides (including rising and falling tide windows). Access is by car, with instant walk-in time from parking (about under five minutes). The beach/approach is rocky, and there is also a break shaped by rock off the coast; combined with the open exposure to north swell, this creates conditions that can include strong rip currents and heavy shorebreak on bigger days. Skill-wise, the spot is strongly oriented toward experienced surfers: hollow and fast waves plus potential for difficult water make it a place for advanced riding only. Weekdays are often quiet, while weekends can be crowded with local surfers, so expect busier conditions on Saturdays and Sundays.
- Exposed sandbar break with hollow, fast, powerful waves
- Works with north swell; offshore grooming from South/South-East winds
- All-tides workable; sometimes very long rides on good days
- Exposed sandbar break known for hollow, fast, powerful waves (regional classic).
- Best with north swell; South/South-East winds can provide offshore grooming.
- All-tides workable; can produce normal medium rides and very long rides on good days.
- Works only once in a while (sometimes no fixed seasonal pattern) and depends on sand movement.
- Very exposed—can have strong currents and a dangerous shorebreak when swell is up.
- Rocky access and rocks offshore/beside the peak can make the surf and entry more hazardous.
- Weekend crowds can be busy.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- S, SE
- Offshore directions
- S, SSE
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — South/South-East winds commonly associated with the region; also described as trades (alísios) in the wider area.
- Reliability
- 60% blown out in December; 24% clean (monthly clean/blown probabilities).
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts
- Best Months
- December
- Shadow Zones
- High cliffs of the Anaga mountains can create significant wind shadows and turbulence.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Rocks — Approach/edges are rocky; wave bottom described as sandy (sandbar).
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Providers disagree on typical size; one describes small surf while others describe medium-to-large working conditions when it lines up.
- Launch
- Small — Instant access (<5 min) from parking; rocky beach with possible heavy shorebreak.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — One source rates launch difficulty as easy, while another describes beach entry through often heavy shorebreak (i.e., can feel moderate in practice).
Through the year
Weekends can be crowded with locals; weekdays are significantly quieter.
Occasional rain in the winter months.
By sport
What to expect for each.
An exposed sandbar beach break that only works once in a while (no fixed seasonal pattern). It can deliver hollow, fast, powerful waves with both lefts and rights, and often depends on sand movement.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- N, NNE, NW, W, SW, S, NE
- Swell Height
- 1.5–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — Also described as best with rising and falling tides.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Very exposed to north swell.
- Wind Effect
- South and South-East winds provide offshore conditions that groom the wave face.
- Bigger Swell
- Can handle significant size but becomes very heavy and challenging to paddle out.
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Regional classic.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Hollow, fast, powerful, fun.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow
- Peel Speed
- Fast
- Ride Length
- Medium — Normal rides 50–150 m; very long on good days 300–500 m.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Normal (50–150 m); very long on good days (300–500 m).
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for El Roque (Taganana) in the full forecast view.
El Roque (Taganana) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 4–12 ktsGusts 20 kts
- Direction
- ENE74°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2412 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.9–2.1 m10s period
- Temperature
- 22–27 °C
Over the next 7 days, El Roque (Taganana) is forecast for daytime winds of 4–12 kts, peaking around 12 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 20 kts. The prevailing direction is ENE. Waves run 0.9–2.1 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 on beach
- rock offshore creating the break
- strong rip currents especially during large swells
- heavy shorebreak
- slippery rocks near the pier
- submerged boulders near the edges
- dangerous currents when swell is up
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability is limited due to the remote coast; emergency response times can be longer.
- Emergency Info
- Spain emergency number: 112. Nearest major hospital facilities are in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Respect locals who frequently the peak.
Rules of the spot
Experienced surfers only due to hollow, fast, powerful waves; standard surfing etiquette and respect for locals at the peak.
- Swimming can be dangerous during high swells due to strong currents.
- Check the sand banks after a big storm as the wave profile often changes.
- Park in designated areas near local restaurants to avoid blocking the narrow road.
- Take a car for instant access from parking (under ~5 minutes on foot).
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Santa Cruz de Tenerife
- Nearest Town
- Taganana
- Nearest Airport
- Tenerife North Airport (TFN) ~25 km away.
- Parking
- Limited parking available along the road and near local restaurants.
- Public Transport
- Limited bus service (TITSA Line 946) connects Santa Cruz to Taganana and Almáciga; road access also possible.
- Access
- Accessible via a winding mountain road (TF-12 and TF-134) through the Anaga Rural Park; car recommended with instant access from parking (<5 minutes on foot).
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Guesthouses and rural rentals in Taganana and Almáciga.
- Food & Drink
- Several traditional seafood restaurants located directly at/near the spot.
- Equipment Rental:
- No dedicated rental shops at the beach; bring your own gear. Equipment rental is limited/variable via local schools.
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 Roque (Taganana)?
The best overall months at El Roque (Taganana) are December.
Which wind directions work at El Roque (Taganana)?
El Roque (Taganana) works with S, SE winds. Offshore directions are S, SSE.
What skill level is El Roque (Taganana) suitable for?
El Roque (Taganana) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Expert.