La Tejita (El Médano)
- Freeride, Shortboard
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
La Tejita is a large, sandy beach at the El Médano coastline with clear water and broad space to set up, rig, and launch. In Northeast trade winds, it’s primarily a flat-water environment: surfing typically doesn’t happen in NE conditions, which makes the beach especially attractive for kitesurfing and wind-based speed/foil activities. For wind sports, the wind direction is consistently reported around NE, with the best months generally spanning May through September. Ride conditions are described as freeride-friendly (very flat water, especially in NE trades), but there can be moderate gusts and wind quality can vary near shore and around the mountain. There is also reported wind cover behind Punta Roja and a wind shadow/gusty zone behind Montaña Roja, so choosing your riding position matters. Surfing is possible only when the right southern swell arrives; it’s described as rarely breaking (around five days per year). When waves do form, it functions as a beach break and can produce usable surf with a working window roughly from 1.0 to 2.5 meters on south to south-west/east swell directions. Typical rides are reported in the ~50 to 150 meter range when it’s working, but overall frequency is low. Safety is a key consideration. Wind-blown sand is reported, and there are rocks at the base/foot of Montaña Roja. Offshore/side-offshore wind risk is mentioned along with lack of rescue boats/service and no lifeguards, so riders should plan conservatively. Finally, sources note possible protected/nature-area constraints and possible permit requirements for kiting—check access rules before launching.
- Wide, fine sandy launch area suited to freeride/foil in NE trade winds
- Best wind months typically May through September
- Surf only works with specific southern swell; otherwise beach stays very flat
- Moderate gusts and offshore/side-offshore risk near the mountain; rescue not reported
- Very wide, flat sandy launch area with clear water and strong Northeast trade winds.
- Works best for kitesurfing (freeride/foil/speed styles) with consistent wind in late spring to early autumn.
- Logistics are easy with parking and close airport/town access.
- Often flat in NE trade winds (surf depends on rare southern swells).
- Gusty/offshore risk near the mountain/cliff areas; rescue not reported.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE
- Offshore directions
- N, NNE, NE, ENE
- Wind Range
- 15–30 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Northeast trade winds (Alisios) are the main driver; in NE there is typically no surf at this spot.
- Reliability
- high
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Reported as gusty near shore/mountain.
- Best Months
- May, June, July, August, September
- Shadow Zones
- Wind cover behind Punta Roja; significant wind shadow and gusty conditions directly behind Montaña Roja.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat
- Beach
- Sand — Fine sandy beach.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Small — Surfable waves only with the right southern swell; otherwise it stays flat.
- Chop Level
- Flat — Flat-water conditions in trade winds (especially in NE).
- Launch
- Big — Very wide, shallow, sloping sandy beach with room to rig and launch.
Through the year
High in summer (beachgoers), with relatively less crowding at the kite area than the main bay.
Calima days (hot, dusty Sahara wind) in summer; occasional winter storms mainly in January and February.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Flat-water freeride spot in NE trade winds; very wide fine shallow sandy beach with no wave in NE. Reported as an alternative to the choppier main bay and also suitable for speed/foiling/strapless/big-air styles when wind conditions suit.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
World Cup–level funnelled NE trades are reported, with gusts near the mountain/shore; suited to speed runs and slalom on flat water.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–7 m²
Highly suitable for foiling due to the lack of heavy swell in trade-wind conditions; flat-water ride possible when trades are strong.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil-friendly in trade-wind conditions.
- Min Depth
- 1.5m
- Wing Sizes
- 3.5–5 m²
Rarely breaks (about 5 days/year). Works when southern swells arrive (best with south/west/south-east components); otherwise it remains flat.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- S, SW, SE
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Reported optimal tide is mid tide movement.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Partly protected by the local coastline/terrain; still depends heavily on the right southern swell.
- Wind Effect
- In NE trade-wind conditions the water stays very flat for wind sports; surfing requires specific southern swell to get waves.
- Bigger Swell
- Can handle up to about 2.5m before closing out.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Wave quality described as average/functional when it works, but overall frequency is low.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Surf described as rarely breaking; works only with the right swell.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Beach break that can become fun when the correct southern swell arrives.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — When it works, it peels at an intermediate pace.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Working days report normal rides; longer session lengths only when waves exist.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Normal rides are reported between 50 and 150 meters when working; a typical working ride length cited around ~100m.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for La Tejita (El Médano) in the full forecast view.
La Tejita (El Médano) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 6–18 ktsGusts 27 kts
- Direction
- ENE58°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2418 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.4–1.4 m6s period
- Temperature
- 22–28 °C
Over the next 7 days, La Tejita (El Médano) is forecast for daytime winds of 6–18 kts, peaking around 18 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 27 kts. The prevailing direction is ENE. Waves run 0.4–1.4 m with a period of about 6s. 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
- wind-blown sand
- rocks at the foot of Montaña Roja
- offshore or side-offshore wind risk near the cliffs
- lack of rescue boats / rescue not available
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard presence is reported at this spot.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No rescue boats/rescue service is reported for this spot.
- Emergency Info
- Hospital del Sur is approximately 15 minutes away by car; Spain’s emergency number is 112.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — No specific localism reported.
Rules of the spot
Possible permit requirement and/or respect for protected/nature-area rules; no specific marked kite zones—respect swimmers using the beach.
- Protected nature area; kiting may be discouraged in very light winds due to offshore risk
- Possible permit required
- Check whether kitesurfing is allowed for the beach/management area; you may need a special permit or membership.
- The wind can be cleaner farther out (riding 100-200 meters away from shore is reported to improve conditions).
- Be aware of the nudist area at the foot of the mountain.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- El Médano
- Nearest Town
- El Médano
- Nearest Airport
- Tenerife South Airport (TFS / Reina Sofía)
- Parking
- Parking available; free dirt parking lot reported near the west side of Montaña Roja.
- Access
- Accessible via TF-643; follow signs for Playa de la Tejita. Also described as just south of the airport with instant access walking distance from El Médano town.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Camping near Montaña Roja and various apartments in El Médano.
- Food & Drink
- A beach bar/chiringuito is reported at the edge of the beach.
- Equipment Rental:
- Rental shops are located in El Médano; gear rental is available via local centers (about a short drive away).
- Gear Storage
- Yes
- Gear Repair
- Gear repair available via major shops in El Médano.
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 La Tejita (El Médano)?
The best overall months at La Tejita (El Médano) are May, June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at La Tejita (El Médano)?
La Tejita (El Médano) works with NE winds. Offshore directions are N, NNE, NE, ENE.
What equipment sizes are recommended at La Tejita (El Médano)?
Recommended equipment sizes at La Tejita (El Médano): Kitesurfing: 7–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–7 m² · Wingfoiling: 3.5–5 m². The typical wind range is 15–30 kts.
What skill level is La Tejita (El Médano) suitable for?
La Tejita (El Médano) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner to Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.