Lanzarote racks up 300 sunny days a year, water between 18 and 22 °C and a north coast hammered by Atlantic swells. Famara beach stretches six kilometres and remains the top learn-to-surf spot in the Canary Islands. Want a surf holiday sorted in one go, without juggling flights, boards, accommodation and lessons? An all-inclusive surf camp handles the lot. This guide compares the best options by level, dates and budget, with the spots to target and an interactive map to find where to sleep.
The 5 best Lanzarote surf camps
This shortlist covers the three classic rider profiles: the beginner who wants safe take-offs at Famara, the intermediate eyeing La Santa for their first tubes, and the advanced surfer aiming at El Quemao. Budgets and accommodation vary, but all five options below include lessons, gear and lodging.
| Name | Main spot | Level | Weekly budget | Accommodation | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lanzasurf Yoga & Surf Camp | Famara | Beginner to intermediate | €550 ($600) to €780 ($850) | Shared villa, private rooms | See deals |
| Beginner surf camps selection | Famara | Beginner | €400 ($436) to €650 ($708) | Residence or hostel | See deals |
| Yoga & surf Lanzarote | Famara, Caleta de Caballo | All levels | €600 ($654) to €900 ($981) | Yoga villa, double room | See deals |
| Full Booksurfcamps Lanzarote list | Island-wide | Beginner to advanced | €350 ($382) to €1,200 ($1) | Dorm to suite | See deals |
| Search surf camps with filters | Famara, La Santa, Costa Teguise | Beginner to expert | Varies by date | Varies | See deals |
How much does a surf trip to Lanzarote cost?
Count €350 ($382) to €550 ($600) per week in low season (May to September) for a surf holiday with lessons, board and wetsuit, dorm or shared room included. In high season (October to March, when the north swells land hard), the same package climbs to €550 ($600) / €850 ($927). Yoga and surf bundles or private rooms push past €900 ($981). Most packages include 5 lesson sessions, transport to the spots, a suitable board and a wetsuit. Flights are on you: €80 ($87) to €200 ($218) return from mainland Europe depending on season. Budget another €100 ($109) to €150 ($164) per week for extra food if meals aren’t included, plus a rental car (€25 ($27) to €40 ($44) per day) if you want to explore beyond Famara.
Best season to surf Lanzarote
Winter (November to March) brings the biggest swells: 2 m average, sometimes 3 to 4 m on the reefs, the season for advanced surfers and memorable sessions at El Quemao. Summer (June to August) offers softer conditions, 0.5 to 1.5 m at Famara, perfect to learn. Shoulder seasons (April, May, September, October) combine decent waves, fewer crowds and mild weather.
| Month | Wave size | Recommended level | Crowd |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 1.5 to 3 m | Intermediate to advanced | High |
| February | 1.5 to 3 m | Intermediate to advanced | High |
| March | 1 to 2.5 m | All levels | Medium |
| April | 1 to 2 m | All levels | Medium |
| May | 0.8 to 1.5 m | Beginner to intermediate | Low |
| June | 0.5 to 1.5 m | Beginner | Low |
| July | 0.5 to 1.2 m | Beginner | Medium |
| August | 0.5 to 1.2 m | Beginner | High |
| September | 1 to 2 m | All levels | Medium |
| October | 1.5 to 2.5 m | Intermediate to advanced | Medium |
| November | 1.5 to 3 m | Intermediate to advanced | High |
| December | 1.5 to 3 m | Intermediate to advanced | Very high |
Beginner, intermediate or advanced: where to surf in Lanzarote?
Beginner: Famara
Famara is a six-kilometre beach break, sand bottom, north-west facing. Waves peel softly on inner sandbars, ideal for whitewater take-offs and early pop-ups. Water rarely drops below 18 °C, even in winter. Surf schools cluster at the southern end of the beach (La Caleta de Famara). Count an hour from Arrecife airport. Watch the side current when swell tops 1.5 m: you drift fast to the north.
Intermediate: La Santa
La Santa is an exposed reef break, ten minutes south-west of Famara by car. Fast, hollow lefts over volcanic reef. Waves work from 1 m upwards, but the spot holds whatever the swell throws at it. A good step up once you’re confident with take-offs and bottom turns. Wear booties if your skin’s sensitive and always check the tide.
Advanced: El Quemao
El Quemao breaks on reef in front of La Santa village. A tubing left from 1.5 to 4 metres, often compared to Pipeline for its power. Localism, shallow bottom, violent wipeouts: not a spot to wing it. A well-prepared surf trip with repatriation insurance is mandatory. Watch the locals’ rotation from the car park before paddling out. Respect and patience.
Where to stay in Lanzarote (interactive map)
Three zones concentrate the surf scene. Famara (Caleta de Famara) puts you on the sand but offers limited dinner options. Costa Teguise blends surf and town life, 25 minutes from Famara. Playa Honda, closer to the airport, suits short stays or island hops. The map below compares real-time prices around the main spots.
Tip: the map above compares live rates across Booking, Airbnb, Hostelworld and Vrbo around Lanzarote’s surf spots. No extra cost for you, and booking via the map helps keep this guide free.
Surf insurance for Lanzarote: why it matters
Most standard credit cards cover neither surf gear, reef injuries, nor medical repatriation from the Canaries outside the EU bracket. El Quemao regularly sends surfers to hospital with deep reef cuts, and a board snapped in the hold won’t be refunded by your card. Chapka Cap Assistance insurance covers gear, medical care and repatriation for about €3 ($3) per day. You can also read our full surf insurance guide to compare plans by trip length.
Need help picking your Lanzarote surf retreat?
We’ve tested several camps on the ground, between Famara and La Santa. If you’re torn between two dates, two levels or two accommodation styles, we can point you in the right direction for free. Reply within 24 hours with 2 or 3 options that actually match your project.
Lanzarote surf camp FAQ
Do I need to know how to swim for a surf holiday in Lanzarote?
Yes, swimming is a non-negotiable prerequisite. Schools generally require you to be comfortable across 50 m in deep water. At Famara, whitewater breaks in shallow water, but the current can drag you out when swell grows.
What’s the minimum level to surf Famara?
None. Famara takes first-timers on foam boards, then beginners moving to hard tops. Instructors adjust the practice zone to the day’s wave size.
Are board and wetsuit included in the surf camp?
Yes in 95% of packages. You grab a board and wetsuit on day one and keep them all week. Still check available wetsuit thickness (3/2 for winter, shorty for summer).
Which airport should I use to reach a Lanzarote surf camp?
Arrecife (ACE), the island’s only airport. Direct flights from London, Manchester, Dublin, Amsterdam, Paris. 30 to 45 minutes transfer to Famara.
Do I need to rent a car?
Not mandatory if you stay at Famara: most camps organise transfers to the beach and airport. Essential if you want to explore La Santa, El Quemao or the southern hidden spots.
What’s the total budget for a one-week Lanzarote surf trip?
€700 ($763) to €1,200 ($1) all included: camp (€400 ($436) to €750 ($818)) + flight (€80 ($87) to €200 ($218)) + insurance (€20 ($22) to €30 ($33)) + extra food (€100 ($109) to €150 ($164)) + outings (€100 ($109) to €150 ($164)). All-inclusive stays slash half of these extras.
Can I combine Lanzarote and Fuerteventura in one trip?
Yes, the ferry Corralejo / Playa Blanca connects both islands in 25 minutes (around €35 ($38) one way). Several camps offer combined packages, typically 3 days at Famara then 4 days at Corralejo or El Cotillo.
Lanzarote ticks every box: near-guaranteed sun, three levels of spots within a day’s reach, mild water and direct flights from Europe. Famara remains the obvious starting point for a first surf camp, before expanding to La Santa or Fuerteventura on a second trip.
