Las Conchas (Los Gigantes Coast)

Surfing
Shortboard, Advanced riders
Best for
Intermediate
Skill Level
Ocean, Mixed
Spot Type
Quiet
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 this spot

About

Las Conchas is an exposed reef break on the Los Gigantes coast, delivering generally consistent surf on a small rocky shoreline. The wave is reported as a right-hand reef setup with good/“regional classic” quality, often working year-round though summer is frequently described as mostly flat. The spot is reported to be best when northwest swell arrives together with offshore wind from the east. Wind direction is therefore a key part of planning, and there is also mention that cross-shore breezes are not sheltered, so face grooming depends strongly on getting the right wind angle. High tide is repeatedly emphasized as the safest and best tide position to reduce how shallow the reef becomes. Conditions around the reef are hazardous: rocks/boulders and sea urchins are present, and strong/tidal and rip-current type currents are reported, so swimming is advised against. The rocky entry also makes launch feel more difficult or moderate depending on the conditions, and booties are recommended to protect against the bottom. Crowd levels are typically low. The spot is described as rarely crowded, with empty weekday sessions and only a few surfers on weekends, which can make it easier to focus on the line once conditions and tide are right. Amenities in/near Puerto de Santiago are available on foot, and parking is limited near the seafront access points.

  • Exposed right-hand reef break with regional classic quality
  • Very consistent wave frequency reported
  • Offshore east wind + northwest swell combination is the usual best setup
  • Low crowd: rarely crowded, mainly quiet weekdays
Great for
Surfing shortboardAdvanced ridersBeginners
What's great
  • Very consistent surf is reported (around 150 days/year)
  • Regional classic wave quality with generally good right-hand peeling reef waves
  • Rarely crowded; empty weekday sessions are reported
Heads up
  • Exposed reef with sharp rocks/boulders and sea urchins
  • Powerful currents; swimming is advised against
  • Best at high tide; shallow reef can make bigger swell more challenging
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Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
E, ENE, NE
Offshore directions
E, ESE, ENE, NE
Wind Type
Trade — East to east-northeast trade-wind influence is reported; also described as very consistent overall.
Reliability
moderate / very consistent
Gust Factor
Steady — Reported as steady.
Best Months
January, February, March, October, November, December
Shadow Zones
High cliffs of Los Gigantes to the north can create wind shadows or turbulence.

Water & beach

Water Type
Ocean, Mixed
Beach
Mixed — Rocks/reef-rocky bottom is reported; beach composition is described as rocky/mixed.
Beach Size
Small
Waves
Big — Also described as working with moderate-to-strong swell; summer often flat.
Launch
Medium — Rocky entry point requiring careful navigation over boulders (reported as moderate/difficult depending on source).
Launch Difficulty
Difficult — Moderate launch difficulty is reported with rocky entry; one source describes it as difficult.

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
18–24 °C
Water Temperature
18–29 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Jan–Dec: 3/2mm full suit for winterJun–Sep: shorty or rash guardMar–Oct: 3/2mm (or 3/2mm/4/3mm guidance depending on month)
Crowds by Season

Rarely crowded; occasionally a few locals on weekends.

Storm/Rain Season

Rain is rare; occasional Atlantic storms can occur between November and February.

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

Exposed right-hand reef break with a rocky/boulder bottom. Works best with northwest swell and east offshore wind; high tide is preferred to reduce the shallow-reef risk.

Reef break
Wave Direction
Right
Optimal Swell
NW, W
Swell Height
1–2.5 m
Optimal Tide
High — High tide only is reported as the best tide position.
Shelter
Exposed — Exposed reef setup along the coastline; no shelter from cross-shore breezes is reported.
Wind Effect
Best with offshore wind from the east; cross-shore/cross-breeze breezes are not sheltered.
Bigger Swell
Summer tends to be mostly flat; stronger swell brings the spot to life, but becomes challenging because the reef is shallow.
Wave Quality
Good — Regional classic / good wave quality is reported.
Wave Power
Powerful — Also described as ordinary in one source; generally reported as strong/working reef waves.
Wave Shape
Mixed — Also described as peeling/reef-rocky in other results.
Peel Speed
Medium
Ride Length
Short — Short (< 50m) is reported as normal; better days can reach 50 to 150m.
Typical Ride Length
50–150 m
Ride Length Details
Normal rides are reported as short (< 50m); on good days, standard rides are often 50 to 150m, with mention of better rides in that range.
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Las Conchas (Los Gigantes Coast) in the full forecast view.

Las Conchas (Los Gigantes Coast) wind and wave forecast summary

Wind
2–7 ktsGusts 17 kts
Direction
SSW192°
Strongest day
Thu, Oct 297 kts
Windy days
0/712 kts or more
Waves
0.7–1.6 m11s period
Temperature
22–29 °C

Over the next 7 days, Las Conchas (Los Gigantes Coast) 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 SSW. Waves run 0.7–1.6 m with a period of about 11s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

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
  • reef
  • urchins
  • sharp boulders/submerged boulders
  • powerful currents (and possible rip currents near the reef edge)
Ability Level: Intermediate
Recommended Safety Gear
WetsuitBoots

Rescue & support

Localism / Vibe
Mild — Rarely crowded; occasional locals on weekends.

Rules of the spot

Swimming is advised against due to powerful currents and the reef/rock hazards.

Restrictions
  • Swimming is advised against.
Local Tips
  • Best conditions are reported when northwest swell combines with offshore wind from the east.
  • Best surf is reported at high tide to avoid the shallowest parts of the reef.
  • Booties are recommended because of rocky entry and sea urchins.

Getting there & access

Nearest City
Puerto de Santiago
Nearest Town
Puerto de Santiago
Parking
Limited parking available on Avenida Maritima, Puerto de Santiago; street parking in nearby residential areas is also reported.
Public Transport
Accessible by bus; nearest bus stop mentioned is El Lajial.
Access
Accessible by car and bus; accessible via walking from Puerto de Santiago or along coastal paths near Los Gigantes.
Cost Level
Moderate
Local Language
Spanish
Amenities

What's on the beach

Parking
Restaurant
Bar
Accommodation
Nearby town — Numerous hotels and apartments in Puerto de Santiago and Los Gigantes.
Food & Drink
Restaurant Neptuno is located on the seafront between Playa de la Arena and Playa de las Conchas; cafes/restaurants are within walking distance in Puerto de Santiago.
Equipment Rental:
Local surf shops in the Playa de la Arena or Puerto de Santiago area may offer rentals.
Gear Storage
Limited specialized gear storage; most riders store equipment at accommodation.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

Latest reported conditions

Spot questions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best season at Las Conchas (Los Gigantes Coast)?

The best overall months at Las Conchas (Los Gigantes Coast) are October, November, December, January, February, March. The best wind months are January, February, March, October, November, December.

Which wind directions work at Las Conchas (Los Gigantes Coast)?

Las Conchas (Los Gigantes Coast) works with E, ENE, NE winds. Offshore directions are E, ESE, ENE, NE.

What skill level is Las Conchas (Los Gigantes Coast) suitable for?

Las Conchas (Los Gigantes Coast) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.