La Barra (Los Giles)
- Advanced riders, Shortboard
- Best for
- Advanced
- Skill Level
- Mixed
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
La Barra (Los Giles) is an exposed beach-and-reef surfing location that can be technical and condition-dependent. It sits at the base of dramatic cliffs and requires a steep, narrow hike down to reach the launch area, where the entry is rocky and demands careful navigation. On the water, the break is described as a reef-style wave that can work as left and right peaks, with hollow, fast sections when conditions line up. Multiple sources emphasize that it’s primarily for advanced surfers, with the reef becoming especially unforgiving as swell builds. Hazards are a major factor at this spot: sharp volcanic reef, sea urchins, slippery rocks during entry, and the possibility of strong rip currents—particularly on larger swells. Because of its secluded setup below the cliffs and the protective nature of the local lineup, surfing with a partner is strongly recommended. For the best chance of workable surf, winter months are highlighted, with December and the January–March window commonly noted. Southeast winds can be favorable by grooming the surface, while wind shadowing near the cliffs and overall low wind reliability can affect near-shore conditions; plan around the arrival of a solid, correct-direction swell.
- Hollow reef potential with left and right options
- Advanced surfers only emphasis due to reef and current hazards
- Winter months favor more consistent swell
- Rocky entry and cliffside access require preparation
- Advanced-level hollow reef action with lefts and rights
- Often workable in winter when swell is more consistent
- Offshore southeast winds can groom the waves
- Clean water quality generally noted for the area
- Challenging rocky access down cliffs
- Sharp reef and sea urchins; slippery entry
- Strong currents possible on larger swells
- Localism can be protective
- Wind reliability can be low and cliff shadowing affects near-shore wind
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SE, S
- Offshore directions
- SE
- Wind Type
- Trade — Southeast/southerly trade-wind regime; wind can be variable and may be reduced by nearby cliffs.
- Reliability
- low
- Best Months
- January, February, March, December
- Shadow Zones
- The cliffs of Los Giles can create a significant wind shadow near the shore.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Mixed
- Beach
- Rocks
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Wave size described as medium; larger swell can become very heavy and dangerous.
- Launch
- Small — Rocky entry point; requires careful navigation through the rocks.
- Launch Difficulty
- Expert only — Rocky entry and steep access down cliffs; described as difficult.
Through the year
Can be crowded with locals on weekends or when the swell is peaking.
Rain is infrequent but most likely between November and February.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed reef/reef-and-beach break that needs specific conditions to work and is geared toward advanced surfers. Waves can break left and right, and the peak can be hollow with fast sections.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- W, NW
- Swell Height
- 0.9–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid, High — One source calls out best at high tide; another indicates optimal tide around mid tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Southeast winds provide offshore grooming; north winds can blow the waves out.
- Bigger Swell
- Can handle significant size but becomes very heavy and dangerous for those unfamiliar with the reef.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Powerful
- Wave Shape
- Hollow
- Peel Speed
- Fast
- Ride Length
- Short — Sources conflict on typical ride length; one guide notes typically less than 50 meters, while another describes 50–150 meters.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- One guide describes waves as typically less than 50 meters; another describes decent walls for maneuvers, particularly on the right-hand peak.
From the spot
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for La Barra (Los Giles) in the full forecast view.
La Barra (Los Giles) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 4–11 ktsGusts 18 kts
- Direction
- E79°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2411 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.7–1.6 m10s period
- Temperature
- 22–27 °C
Over the next 7 days, La Barra (Los Giles) is forecast for daytime winds of 4–11 kts, peaking around 11 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 18 kts. The prevailing direction is E. Waves run 0.7–1.6 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
- Sharp volcanic reef
- Sea urchins
- Strong rip currents possible, especially during large swells
- Slippery rocks at entry
- Localism
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability in the area is generally limited; emergency response is via city services across the Las Palmas area.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major medical facilities are in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. In Spain, emergency number is 112.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies; respect the local lineup which can be protective of this peak.
- Bring sturdy booties to navigate the rocky entry.
- Best to surf with a partner due to the secluded nature of the spot below the cliffs.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Las Palmas
- Nearest Town
- Los Giles
- Nearest Airport
- Gran Canaria Airport (LPA), about 25–30 km away.
- Parking
- Limited parking is available within the village of Los Giles; from there, it is a hike down to the water.
- Public Transport
- Served by the Guaguas Municipales city bus network and intercity bus connections.
- Access
- Access is via a steep and narrow dirt path descending from the village of Los Giles down the cliffside.
- Cost Level
- Budget
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Various hotels and apartments are available in nearby Las Palmas.
- Food & Drink
- Local bars and small shops are available in the village of Los Giles.
- Equipment Rental:
- No rentals available on-site; equipment must be brought from Las Palmas shops.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A 3-kilometer long beachfront walk lined with shops and terraces.
A well-known coastal area and city-view destination on the Las Palmas waterfront.
The city’s main seaside promenade and beach district, with dining and urban beachfront activity.
The historic heart of the city featuring colonial architecture and the cathedral.
An iconic architectural landmark hosting international concerts and festivals.
Exploring the natural reef ecosystem protected by the limestone barrier.
The surrounding hills and coastal paths support short-to-medium distance running and hiking routes.
Popular local spot for tapas and sea views near the surf zone.
A dense urban dining and nightlife strip serving the city’s waterfront area.
A large, modern aquarium featuring diverse marine ecosystems.
Easy-access city beaches and seafront walks make the area suitable for relaxed family outings.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at La Barra (Los Giles)?
The best overall months at La Barra (Los Giles) are January, February, March, October, November, December. The best wind months are January, February, March, December.
Which wind directions work at La Barra (Los Giles)?
La Barra (Los Giles) works with SE, S winds. Offshore directions are SE.
What skill level is La Barra (Los Giles) suitable for?
La Barra (Los Giles) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced.