Las Piscinas (Moya)
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Swell
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Las Piscinas is a low-profile, exposed reef break at the natural sea-water pools on the north coast of Moya. It’s known for a consistent right-hand wave that peels well when the right swell arrives, with conditions working best around mid tide. Surf quality is generally described as good, and the break is particularly reliable in the autumn-to-winter window (with October highlighted as a best month). When swell is larger, the wave can still hold its size, but access becomes more difficult across the rocks. Wind-wise, trade-wind influence and local cliff effects can make conditions variable; reported typical winds are around 10–20 knots with moderate gustiness, and overall reliability is described as low. Wind direction matters for wave grooming: south winds tend to be offshore and cleaner, while NE trades can come cross-onshore and add chop. Safety planning is important at this spot because it’s an exposed reef with rocks and reported sea-urchins, plus strong currents and rocky entry/exit. Avoid the natural pools area (especially to keep clear of swimmers), use reef-appropriate footwear, and consider early-morning sessions when winds are less disruptive.
- Consistent right-hand reef wave in front of the natural pools
- Best at mid tide
- October through winter are the core months for reliable surf
- South winds can improve wave shape (offshore component)
- Reliable right-hand reef wave in autumn and winter
- Works best around mid tide
- Good facilities nearby (natural pool area and nearby food/drink)
- Exposed reef conditions with rock/sea-urchin hazards
- Wind reliability reported as low
- Entry/exit can be difficult, especially on larger swell
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- S, SW, SE
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Trade-wind (Alisios) influence on the north coast; some local complexity near cliffs.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gustiness reported.
- Best Months
- October, November, December, January, February
- Shadow Zones
- Cliffs-to-the-west-can-create-shadows
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Rocks — Reef/rocky shoreline with natural sea pools.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Medium-sized waves reported.
- Launch
- Small — Rocky entry near natural pools.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Moderate difficulty due to rocky entry and exit.
Through the year
Busy on weekends and during peak winter swell events.
November to February
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed reef break with a consistent right-hand wave breaking near the natural sea-water pools of Moya (Las Piscinas). Works best around mid tide and can handle significant swell, with entry difficulty increasing on larger sets.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- N, NW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Best tide: mid tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed reef break.
- Wind Effect
- South winds are offshore and groom the wave face; NE trades are cross-onshore and can create chop.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size well, but entry becomes more difficult across the rocks.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Good wave quality reported.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Fast, peeling right-hand reef wave; generally reliable when swell is present.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Approximately 50–100 meters on good days.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Approximately 50–100 meters on good days.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Las Piscinas (Moya) in the full forecast view.
Las Piscinas (Moya) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 4–15 ktsGusts 22 kts
- Direction
- ENE71°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2415 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.7–1.7 m9s period
- Temperature
- 23–26 °C
Over the next 7 days, Las Piscinas (Moya) is forecast for daytime winds of 4–15 kts, peaking around 15 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 22 kts. The prevailing direction is ENE. Waves run 0.7–1.7 m with a period of about 9s. 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
- Sharp rocks
- Sea urchins
- Strong currents
- Rocky entry and exit
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguard presence reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No dedicated on-site rescue reported.
- Emergency Info
- Emergency services available in nearby Moya or San Felipe. General emergency number is 112.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Moderate localism reported.
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies; respect the local rotation. Keep clear of swimmers in the natural pools area.
- Keep clear of swimmers in the natural pools area
- Entry is easiest through a small channel in the rocks to the left of the main peak.
- Best surf is often found in the early morning before the NE trade winds kick in.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
- Nearest Town
- Moya
- Nearest Airport
- Gran Canaria Airport (LPA)
- Parking
- Dedicated parking lot available for the natural pools.
- Public Transport
- Global bus network connects Moya and the coastal GC-2 road to the capital (car is typically essential for gear to specific launches).
- Access
- Easy access via the GC-2 coastal road. Spot is located at the Charco de San Lorenzo natural pools.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Apartments and small hotels available in El Altillo and San Felipe; rural houses in the hills of Moya plus surf hostels and hotels in nearby Las Palmas or San Felipe.
- Food & Drink
- Several seafood restaurants and cafes located directly at the El Altillo beachfront.
- Equipment Rental:
- Extensive rental options in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, with fewer specialized shops directly on the Moya coast.
- Gear Storage
- Limited on-site storage; most visitors rely on vehicle storage or facilities provided by schools in the capital.
- Gear Repair
- Specialized surfboard and wetsuit repair services available in industrial zones and surf shops in Las Palmas.
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 Las Piscinas (Moya)?
The best overall months at Las Piscinas (Moya) are October, November, December, January, February, March, April. The best wind months are October, November, December, January, February.
Which wind directions work at Las Piscinas (Moya)?
Las Piscinas (Moya) works with S, SW, SE winds.
What skill level is Las Piscinas (Moya) suitable for?
Las Piscinas (Moya) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.