Vargas (Agüimes)
- Wave, Wave
- Best for
- Intermediate to Advanced
- Skill Level
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Vargas (Agüimes) is a long, exposed bay used primarily for wind sports on Gran Canaria’s eastern side. The shoreline is pebble/stone-heavy, with a sand bottom once you’re in the water, and conditions can include a moderate shorebreak at higher tide. Wind is dominated by NE trade winds (Alisios). Riders report strong reliability in the May–September period, with typical speeds in the mid-teens up to the mid-30s knots. Gustiness is commonly felt closer to the beach because of upwind elevation, and a wind-shadow zone can occur near shore (the wind is often steadier farther out). In summer, local thermal effects can reinforce the trade winds and tend to peak in mid-afternoon. Kitesurfing and windsurfing are both centered on zoned launch areas that separate swimmers from wind sport users. The area has clear guidance that kitesurfing is not allowed in the windsurfing or swimming zones, and the kite zone is toward the southern end of the bay. Because the launch involves stones and a moderate shorebreak, footwear/booties are strongly recommended, and many riders also consider additional safety gear such as a helmet and impact protection. Surfing is possible but secondary: when wind is light (or a favorable breeze aligns), the beach can produce short, punchy waves over sand and stones. However, surfing quality is highly wind-dependent, and larger swell can become very heavy and challenging.
- Strong NE trade-wind environment with high reliability in late spring/summer
- Zoned beach use for swimmers vs wind sports
- Crystal-clear/clean water and a sand bottom once launched
- Technical stone-heavy launch: booties strongly recommended
- Strong, reliable NE trade-wind environment, especially in late spring/summer
- Long, exposed bay with a straightforward beach launch for wind sports
- Water clarity is described as crystal-clear/clean
- Long-standing reputation as a windsurfing kitesurfing spot
- Launch/entry is technically demanding due to large rounded stones and pebble shoreline
- Shorebreak can be moderate at high tide
- Wind shadow near the beach can require an early strategy for consistent power
- Surf is strongly wind-dependent and can be suppressed by onshore conditions
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE
- Wind Range
- 15–35 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — NE trade winds (Alisios) strengthened by island topography; wind cover near the beach due to the mountain upwind.
- Reliability
- high
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Gusty near the shore; becomes steadier farther out (about 50 meters out is noted).
- Best Months
- May, June, July, August, September
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 5–9 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Mixed
- Beach
- Pebble — Pebble/stone-covered beach; stones make foot protection important.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Medium — Medium waves are described for the beach; surfing rides are often short.
- Launch
- Big — Long bay with a primarily stony and pebble-filled shoreline; a surf practice area is mentioned. Access by car is possible.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Launch is described as moderate to difficult depending on conditions/tide due to stone shoreline.
Through the year
Low occupancy is reported overall; can be busy during summer weekends and during PWA events.
Rain is rare; most likely between December and February.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Wave-oriented riding is noted with side-onshore conditions; launch is demanding due to stones and shorebreak, especially at high tide.
- Kite Sizes
- 5–9 m²
A renowned windsurfing spot with jumping and waveriding potential on port tack; world-renowned reputation with international competition history is noted.
- Sail Sizes
- 3.7–5.3 m²
Possible for experienced riders; stony entry and significant swell make it less ideal for beginners.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foil-friendliness is limited.
- Min Depth
- Deep immediately after the shorebreak.
- Wing Sizes
- 3–5 m²
Rideable waves when wind is light, but the beach is predominantly used for wind sports; waves are short and can break over sand and stones.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- N, NW, W
- Swell Height
- 1–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low — Low tide is specifically noted for surfing conditions.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed coastline to winds/swell.
- Wind Effect
- Highly wind-dependent; needs light wind or offshore breeze for clean surfing. Wind can suppress surf at times.
- Bigger Swell
- Can handle significant swell but becomes very heavy and challenging.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Average wave quality is indicated.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Moderate wave power.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Wave shape described as peeling (with average quality).
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Punchy beach-break peaks with medium peel speed.
- Ride Length
- Short rides are noted.
- Ride Length Details
- Waves typically short and punchy, breaking over sand and stones.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Vargas (Agüimes) in the full forecast view.
Vargas (Agüimes) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 4–18 ktsGusts 28 kts
- Direction
- NNE28°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2418 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.5–1.2 m6s period
- Temperature
- 21–28 °C
Over the next 7 days, Vargas (Agüimes) is forecast for daytime winds of 4–18 kts, peaking around 18 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 28 kts. The prevailing direction is NNE. Waves run 0.5–1.2 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
- Pebbly/rocky shore access with large rounded stones
- Moderate shorebreak at high tide
- Wind shadow / lighter, gustier wind near the beach
- Rocks at the northern end
- Potential collision risk in a shared beach area
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards are indicated for the spot.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Limited official rescue services on the beach.
- Emergency Info
- Emergency number is 112; nearest major hospital is Hospital Universitario Insular de Gran Canaria (Las Palmas).
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Mild localism is indicated.
Rules of the spot
The beach is strictly zoned for swimmers, windsurfers, and kitesurfers (with the kite area at the southern end); no kitesurfing in the windsurfing or swimming zones. Kite area is furthest along the beach.
- A north section is reserved for bathers.
- No kitesurfing in the windsurfing or swimming zones.
- Booties are highly recommended because of the large round stones at the water's edge.
- Launch at low tide when a small strip of sand is often exposed.
- Be prepared for a wind shadow in the first 30-50 meters of the water.
- Some access routes are stony; vehicle access can be more practical.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
- Nearest Town
- Agüimes
- Nearest Airport
- Gran Canaria Airport (LPA) (approx. 10km away).
- Parking
- Car access is reported; unpaved parking areas near the beach and the campsite are indicated.
- Public Transport
- Regional bus service connects the area with Las Palmas de Gran Canaria via line 11 from San Telmo station (general bus links also connect the municipality to Las Palmas).
- Access
- Reached by car (C-812) with an exit at km 32 reported; also described as a few kilometers south of Gran Canaria Airport with a dirt track that can be rough but passable for standard cars.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Camping de Vargas is located right at the spot (camping pitches and small huts).
- Food & Drink
- Restaurant and bar within the campsite premises.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental details conflict by source: one indicates windsurf equipment for hire reported at the beach; another indicates no direct rental at the beach with most riders bringing their own gear or renting from shops elsewhere.
- Gear Storage
- Storage facilities are available for guests at the local campsite.
- Gear Repair
- Repair services available in Pozo Izquierdo.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The Agüimes area combines an inland historic town with nearby coastal and nature-based excursions, making it a practical base for wind sports plus sightseeing.
A preserved historic center of Agüimes with stone buildings and bronze sculptures.
A ravine famous for ancient cave dwellings, many still inhabited today.
El Cabrón Marine Reserve nearby is described as one of the best diving spots in the Canary Islands.
Trails and excursions across ravines and volcanic terrain in southeastern Gran Canaria.
An inland landscape associated with hiking and cave settlements in the broader Agüimes area.
A well-known ravine and scenic geological attraction in the municipality.
A promenade lined with traditional Spanish seafood restaurants and local tapas bars.
An animal rescue center and zoo just outside Agüimes.
A family-oriented wildlife attraction listed among the area’s main things to do.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Vargas (Agüimes)?
The best overall months at Vargas (Agüimes) are May, June, July, August. The best wind months are May, June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at Vargas (Agüimes)?
Vargas (Agüimes) works with NE winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Vargas (Agüimes)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Vargas (Agüimes): Kitesurfing: 5–9 m² · Windsurfing: 3.7–5.3 m² · Wingfoiling: 3–5 m². The typical wind range is 15–35 kts.
What skill level is Vargas (Agüimes) suitable for?
Vargas (Agüimes) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced · Windsurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Intermediate.