Famara is the long sandy beach on the northwest coast of Lanzarote, below the Risco de Famara cliffs. It stretches for about 5 to 6 km from the village of Caleta de Famara, and it is where almost every surfer on the island caught their first waves.
The bottom is sand, there are many peaks and the surf schools in Caleta de Famara know the sandbanks by heart. If you are a beginner or want to progress without the pressure of the reefs, this is the spot.
At a glance: Famara
| Wave type | Beach break, lefts and rights |
| Bottom | Sand, a few rocks at the edges |
| Best tide | All tides, mid to high tide preferred |
| Swell direction | Northwest to north |
| Best wind | Southeast (offshore) |
| Level | All levels, ideal for beginners |
| Crowd | Surf schools, busier at weekends and in the afternoon |
| Best season | All year; October to March for waves, May to September to learn |
Famara surf spot (Lanzarote)
Famara is an exposed beach break, with lefts and rights along the whole beach. For both Surf-Forecast and Surfnerd, the best swell comes from the northwest, with an offshore southeast wind. Surfnerd gives an ideal size of about 0.6 to 1.8 m; to learn, aim for days around 0.5 to 1.2 m.
Tide matters less than on the reefs: the beach works at all tides, with a preference for mid to high tide according to Mondo Surf, and for the rising tide according to Surfnerd. Watch out for currents and rips in big swells, and for the wind: the northeast trade winds often blow hard, and mornings are usually best.
When to surf Famara?
You can surf Famara all year round. From October to March, northwest swells are more regular and bigger: the right season for intermediates, with December often the best month according to Surf-Forecast. From May to September, waves are smaller: perfect for learning. The water is around 18 °C at the end of winter and rises to 22 or 23 °C between August and October.
Surf calendar Famara: intensity by month
Famara forecast
Before you paddle out, check today’s conditions:
- Windy weather map (29.1259, -13.5375): swell, wind and live conditions.
- Windguru forecast for Famara below: wind, gusts and rating over 7 days.
Famara: which surf level?
Beginners: the ideal spot
The sandy bottom is reassuring, the whitewater zone is wide and the beach is long enough for each school to find its own peak. On a surf course, most beginners stand up within a few days on a stable softboard. Take lessons for the first days: in big swells the currents are strong.
Intermediates: on swell days
From October to March, the peaks in the middle of the beach get hollower and more powerful. When Famara is too messy, check the San Juan reef next door.
Experienced surfers: for a warm-up
In big swells Famara can produce good waves, but experienced surfers mostly head for the reefs of La Santa and El Quemao, a few kilometres away.
How to get to Famara
From Teguise, follow the road to Caleta de Famara. You can park for free in the village streets and walk to the beach. According to Surfnerd, the spot has a lifeguard and toilets.
Spot location
GPS coordinates (approximate): 29.1259° N, 13.5375° W. Famara beach, next to Caleta de Famara, on the northwest coast of Lanzarote.
Open the full map on OpenStreetMap
Where to stay near Famara?
Caleta de Famara has surf houses, apartments and several surf schools, such as Lanzasurf, less than 200 metres from the beach. It is the most practical base for a surf trip.
What to do near Famara?
Between sessions, enjoy the atmosphere of Caleta de Famara: sandy streets, small surfer bars and yoga classes offered by some schools. At the end of the day, climb the Risco cliffs for the view over the bay and the island of La Graciosa.
FAQ: Famara (Lanzarote)
Yes. It is a long sandy beach with accessible waves and several surf schools. In big swells the currents are strong: take a lesson.
All year round. October to March for bigger waves, May to September to learn on smaller waves.
A 3/2 mm is enough in winter, when the water is around 18 °C. In summer, a shorty or a rash vest will do.
In short
Famara is Lanzarote’s long sandy beach and the best spot on the island to learn and progress. Surf it all year round, ideally in the morning, with a northwest swell and a southeast wind. See all the surf spots in Lanzarote and our guide to surfing in the Canary Islands.
Sources: Surf-Forecast, Surfnerd, Mondo Surf, The Surf Atlas.