Guacimeta (Playa Honda)
- Freeride, Shortboard
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Swell, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Busy
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Guacimeta (Playa Honda) is a reef-based surfing spot off Playa Honda beach, producing small to medium reef waves with a typical lefthander bias and some right-hand sections when the swell links. The bottom is volcanic reef, so even though the waves can be manageable, contact hazards are real—especially when the tide drops and the reef becomes very shallow. The area is also strongly shaped by its surroundings: it sits beside Lanzarote Airport, so aviation restrictions near approach paths apply for kites and other aerial activities. Local access can involve a long paddle from the car park to the surf area, which makes tide timing and pre-planning especially important. Wind patterns vary, but thermal reinforcement in summer is described alongside a broader North/Northeast trade-wind regime. For surfing, the spot is best aligned with a NE-oriented swell picture; for wind sports, specific south-easterly (Sirocco) conditions are described as especially useful as an alternative option when other zones struggle. In practice, the safest success comes from aligning three factors: (1) avoid low tide when reef shelves are exposed, (2) confirm the swell is large enough for the reef break to hold shape, and (3) if kite use is planned, keep strict attention to the airport’s restricted zones and no-fly areas.
- Reef-break surfing off Playa Honda with left-hand sections as the typical pattern
- Airport-adjacent visibility; reefs require careful tide management
- Summer wind reinforcement supports wind sports at the right time of day
- Popular surfing location with reef breaks off Playa Honda
- Long sandy beach provides space for board sports when conditions suit
- Can serve as an alternative when larger/nearby surf areas are too big or too rough
- Reef hazards—sharp rocks and shallow reef shelves at low tide
- Spot is close to the airport; restricted zones apply for aerial sports
- Conditions can require specific swell/wind to shape properly
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE
- Offshore directions
- N, NW
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Thermal — Thermal-driven winds; in summer the spot is influenced by afternoon reinforcement and local sea-breeze effects.
- Reliability
- Moderate; depends on the specific weather pattern for best conditions.
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Light gusts reported.
- Best Months
- June, July, August, September
- Shadow Zones
- Turbulence can occur near airport buildings and the fence line.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach segments suitable for approach/access.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Small — Small reef waves for local play.
- Launch
- Medium — Long sandy stretch for access; reef hazards influence the walk-out depending on tide.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Launch described as moderate for the reef area; walk/paddle requirements can be significant.
Through the year
Usually quiet, with evenings and weekends more active around the promenade.
Rain is rare, with the most likely period between December and February.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Works as an alternative kite option when winds are from the south-easterly direction associated with Sirocco; the sandy launch offers space but rocks and reef areas remain a factor.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Occasional windsurfing is possible during strong south-easterly winds, with bump-and-jump conditions reported.
- Sail Sizes
- 5–7 m²
Viable for foiling because of deeper water beyond reef shelves; the walk-out past rocks at low tide can be tricky.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Deep-water viability beyond reef shelves.
- Min Depth
- 1.5m
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Small reef breaks off the Playa Honda beach at Guacimeta, producing lefthander waves as a typical pattern, with some right-hand sections that depend on swell connections. Shallow reef hazards require caution, especially at low tide.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- NE, NNE, NW
- Swell Height
- 1.5–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — A mid tide condition is described as optimal for the right-hand reef break.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Open exposure typical of this airport-adjacent coastline; conditions can change quickly.
- Wind Effect
- West or North-West winds are offshore here; other wind angles may affect comfort and cleanliness on the reef.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size but can become heavy over the reef; bigger swell is often needed for the right-hand sections to work properly.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Wave quality described as good in general; average quality also reported for the right-hand reef break requiring a larger wraparound swell.
- Wave Power
- Soft — Soft wave power reported for the local reef play.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Mixed shapes at the reef, with both left and right sections reported depending on how waves link.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Ride length described as manageable; varies with swell size.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Guacimeta (Playa Honda) in the full forecast view.
Guacimeta (Playa Honda) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 5–16 ktsGusts 25 kts
- Direction
- ENE57°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2416 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.2–0.7 m4s period
- Temperature
- 20–28 °C
Over the next 7 days, Guacimeta (Playa Honda) is forecast for daytime winds of 5–16 kts, peaking around 16 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 25 kts. The prevailing direction is ENE. 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
- Shallow reef shelves at low tide
- Airport fence/perimeter walls
- Proximity to the airport runway (restricted areas)
- Occasional heavy swell
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported for the immediate spot; regional cluster rescue is described as limited.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Dedicated rescue coverage is primarily provided by local lifeguards during peak hours and by Maritime Rescue in deeper water; spot-level reports indicate no on-site lifeguards.
- Emergency Info
- General emergency number 112.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Crowds can build with locals on good days.
Rules of the spot
Respect restricted aviation zones near the airport perimeter/approach paths; check local access and tide before committing to the reef.
- Strict no-fly zones for kites may apply near immediate airport approach paths.
- Respect restricted aviation zones near the airport perimeter.
- Check the tide before heading out—reefs can become very shallow and dangerous at low tide.
- Allow extra time and effort for the long paddle from the car park to the surf area.
- Be cautious with reef contact and avoid landing/standing in exposed rock at low tide.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- San Bartolomé
- Nearest Town
- Arrecife
- Nearest Airport
- César Manrique-Lanzarote Airport (ACE)
- Parking
- Parking at end of Playa Honda with a long paddle to the surf; limited parking near Deiland commercial centre. Street parking is available in residential areas of Playa Honda with a short walk.
- Public Transport
- Regional bus links connect Playa Honda with Arrecife and Puerto del Carmen; the coastal promenade supports easy walking/bicycle movement between segments.
- Access
- Long paddle from car park at end of Playa Honda; easily accessible by car from the LZ-2 highway with signage for Playa Honda/airport.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous holiday apartments and villas are available in Playa Honda.
- Food & Drink
- Restaurants and cafés line the Playa Honda promenade.
- Equipment Rental:
- Specialized centers in nearby areas offer equipment rental; no dedicated rental shops directly on this specific beach segment are reported.
- Gear Storage
- Secure daily and weekly storage lockers are described in the wider Matagorda area.
- Gear Repair
- Basic sail and kite repairs are handled by local shops; major board repairs may require transport to workshops in Arrecife or Costa Teguise.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Playa Honda’s airport-adjacent promenade and sandy coastline provide a convenient base, with nearby Arrecife offering cultural sights and easy walking/cycling along the coast.
Long, vibrant coastal promenade for walking, cycling, and viewing due to its proximity to the airport.
Seafront walking and dining area that anchors the town’s coastal leisure scene.
Major retail and services hub serving the Playa Honda area.
Volcanic landscapes and geothermal demonstrations in the heart of the island’s fire mountains.
The island capital’s urban center provides nearby cultural and civic sights.
A César Manrique-designed monument and museum celebrating traditional island agriculture and crafts.
Flat coastal terrain makes the area suitable for easy cycling and active sightseeing.
The wider east-coast corridor is a practical base for kite, windsurf, and wingfoil travel.
Seafront dining is a notable part of the Playa Honda visitor experience.
Popular beachfront dining offering fresh seafood and traditional Canarian tapas.
The sheltered urban coastline supports relaxed family outings.
A large indoor mall featuring a cinema, bowling alley, and various international retailers.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Guacimeta (Playa Honda)?
The best overall months at Guacimeta (Playa Honda) are May, June, July, August, September. The best wind months are June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at Guacimeta (Playa Honda)?
Guacimeta (Playa Honda) works with NE winds. Offshore directions are N, NW.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Guacimeta (Playa Honda)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Guacimeta (Playa Honda): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 5–7 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Guacimeta (Playa Honda) suitable for?
Guacimeta (Playa Honda) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner.