Maspalomas (Gran Canaria)
- Wave, Bodyboard
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Mixed, Small waves
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Maspalomas is a south-coast sand-and-reef break associated with the dunes and the lighthouse area. Surf is described as beach/reef with lefts and rights, generally fun and manageable, and becoming more powerful at the point on larger swells. Working conditions are time- and tide-dependent, with mid tide repeatedly referenced as the best window. The wave setup is most consistently reported to start around roughly 1.5–2 m and can hold up beyond 2.5 m (with other references extending toward ~3 m). Wave quality is described as good, and the wave shape is often characterized as mixed/peeling at the point, with shelter from wind described as exposed overall. Ride lengths are typically short on normal days, with better days reaching around 50–150 m at the point. Wind-driven sessions are more variable. The wind profile highlights low summer reliability due to the island’s mountain wind shadow blocking the main NE trades, while winter storm cycles/fronts (often westerly or southerly) can bring stronger wind for windsurfing and occasional kitesurfing. For surfing specifically, north winds are described as providing cleaner offshore conditions, while cross-onshore/cross-offshore winds can make the surf mediocre. Safety is a primary consideration: hazards include submerged rocks at/near the point, reef influence, and strong currents during larger swells (including rip-current-type risk). Crowds of swimmers and tourists can build around the lighthouse. In addition, there are nature reserve and bathing-zone rules—kitesurfing is described as restricted/forbidden in buoy-marked swimming zones, and walking outside designated paths is prohibited in the dunes reserve.
- Beach-and-reef surfing with lefts and rights
- Point-focused quality (La Punta) with better longer rides on good days
- Winter westerly/southerly fronts are the key wind window for wind sports
- Scenic, recognizable dunes-and-lighthouse setting with beach-and-reef lefts and rights.
- Wind and wave sports can open during winter frontal/westerly conditions.
- Generally good/clear water quality is reported for the area.
- Works only on selected wind and swell combinations; winter setups are the reliable window.
- Rocks/reef influence near the point and potential strong currents during larger swells.
- Crowds near the lighthouse and restrictions in swimming zones/nature reserve boundaries.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, SW, S, SSE, ENE, E, W
- Wind Range
- 12–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Mixed — Trade-wind influence (NE/alisios often blocked), with occasional winter fronts/westerlies bringing best sessions.
- Reliability
- Low in summer, moderate during winter storm cycles; can work only once in a while.
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Described as steady in the spot wind profile.
- Best Months
- January, February, March, October, November, December
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–14 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Mixed, Small waves
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Small — Wave size is described as small in some spot profiles, with working surf generally starting around 1.5–2 m and holding up to 2.5 m+ depending on swell.
- Chop Level
- Light chop — Described as choppy/shallow and small-wave behavior in the broader spot area.
- Launch
- Medium — Access near the promenade and lighthouse area; a wider sandy beach is involved and the best zones at the point may require walking through dunes.
Through the year
Always busy with tourists; water crowded with surfers on winter weekends.
Occasional rain from November to February; winter storm cycles are relevant for wind sports.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Works mainly in winter when trade winds fail and westerly/southerly fronts arrive; described as a long-reach setup in front of the dunes, but launching can be restricted near the lighthouse and within swimming zones.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–14 m²
Freeride and wavespot in winter with westerly wind producing very good waves; generally a scenic location with higher-quality wave/freeride sessions during winter conditions.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–6.5 m²
Suitable for wingfoiling when wind is from west or south, with depth sufficient once away from the immediate shore break.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil-friendly is indicated.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 5–6 m²
Beach and reef influence with lefts and rights; more fun/manageable for most levels, but becomes more powerful at the point on larger swells.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- S, SW, WSW, NW
- Swell Height
- 1.5–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid tide is consistently indicated; one guide also mentions falling tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed beach/reef break.
- Wind Effect
- North wind provides cleaner offshore conditions early in the morning near the lighthouse; cross/onshore or cross-offshore can reduce quality.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds up on larger swell (up to about 3 m mentioned) but currents become very strong; can hold up to about 2.5 m+ / 2.5 m plus in swell references.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Wave quality described as good / fun and manageable.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Moderate power.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Described as mixed; also described as peeling at the point.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peeling wave form is described for the point.
- Ride Length
- Short — Normal days are described as short; better days can be longer at the point.
- Typical Ride Length
- 100–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Normal rides are often under 50 m; better days around the point are described as reaching roughly 50–150 m, with up to ~150 m on a good day.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Maspalomas (Gran Canaria) in the full forecast view.
Maspalomas (Gran Canaria) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–14 ktsGusts 23 kts
- Direction
- ENE72°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2514 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.3–1.0 m6s period
- Temperature
- 22–30 °C
Over the next 7 days, Maspalomas (Gran Canaria) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–14 kts, peaking around 14 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 23 kts. The prevailing direction is ENE. Waves run 0.3–1.0 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
- Rocks at/near the point
- Reefs
- Rip currents / strong currents during big swells
- Large crowds of swimmers and tourists
- Beach umbrellas near the lighthouse area
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguard presence is indicated; beaches are described as patrolled by local lifeguards/Red Cross regionally.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability is described as limited for the spot/area.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facility is the Hospital San Roque Maspalomas; general emergency number is 112. Rescue availability described as limited and lifeguards as seasonal.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Mild localism is indicated; crowd pressure can be significant around the lighthouse.
Rules of the spot
Kitesurfing is restricted/forbidden in buoy-marked swimming zones and also described as forbidden in the dunes-area windsurfing spot description; follow protected nature reserve boundaries and stay on designated paths.
- No kitesurfing in the buoy-marked swimming zones (and respect nature reserve boundaries).
- Walking outside designated paths is prohibited in the dunes nature reserve area.
- Timing matters: the spot is described as only working on selected wind and swell combinations.
- For fewer people, launch/ride zones are described as best when you move away from the lighthouse/crowds.
- Access is described as easiest by car/taxi to the lighthouse area, then walking to the zones.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
- Nearest Town
- San Bartolomé de Tirajana
- Parking
- Limited public parking near the lighthouse and surrounding hotel streets.
- Public Transport
- Excellent coverage via the local bus network connecting the south to the airport and the capital.
- Access
- Access is described as reached by car or taxi to the lighthouse (Faro) area, then walking to zones.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Extensive range of hotels, apartments, and resorts in the Maspalomas and Meloneras area.
- Food & Drink
- Numerous beach bars (chiringuitos) and restaurants along the promenade near the lighthouse.
- Equipment Rental:
- Some shops in nearby areas offer windsurf/kite rentals, but windsurf/kite rentals are described as rare directly at this specific beach; surfboard rentals are described as available nearby.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Iconic Maspalomas Dunes Nature Reserve setting combined with the lighthouse and resort amenities.
Rolling sand dunes nature reserve by the sea.
Historic lighthouse marking the southern tip of the island.
Large water park in the Canary Islands.
Shopping and entertainment complex known for bars and nightlife.
Botanical garden and aviary featuring dolphin shows and exotic animals.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Maspalomas (Gran Canaria)?
The best overall months at Maspalomas (Gran Canaria) are June, October, November, December. The best wind months are January, February, March, October, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Maspalomas (Gran Canaria)?
Maspalomas (Gran Canaria) works with W, SW, S, SSE, ENE, E, W winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Maspalomas (Gran Canaria)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Maspalomas (Gran Canaria): Kitesurfing: 9–14 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–6.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 5–6 m². The typical wind range is 12–25 kts.
What skill level is Maspalomas (Gran Canaria) suitable for?
Maspalomas (Gran Canaria) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner to Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate to Advanced · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.