El Médano is the big beach in south-east Tenerife, about ten minutes from Tenerife South airport. A sand and pebble beach break with lefts and rights, plus a small left over reef. For the rest of the island, read our guide to surf spots in Tenerife.
The downside is the wind: El Médano is best known for kitesurfing and windsurfing, and the waves get choppy quickly.
At a glance: El Médano
| Wave type | Beach break, lefts and rights, plus a left over reef |
| Bottom | Sand and pebbles, a few rocks |
| Best tide | All tides |
| Swell direction | South to south-west |
| Best wind | West to north-west (offshore) |
| Level | Beginners on small swells |
| Crowd | Moderate, with surf schools |
| Best season | Spring and summer, when a south swell arrives |
El Médano surf spot (Tenerife)
The spot needs a south to south-west swell, much rarer than the north swells that light up the north coast in winter. So it does not break every day: Surf-Forecast lists it among the spots that rarely break.
El Médano has no shelter from the wind. A west to north-west wind, blowing from the land, cleans it up, but the trade wind quickly makes it messy. Go early in the morning and keep an eye out for rocks and kitesurfers.
When to surf El Médano?
Surf-Forecast names spring and summer as the best period, when south swells arrive. In winter, the waves are too small most of the time. You need a real south swell and little wind.
Surf calendar El Médano: intensity by month
El Médano forecast
Before you paddle out, check today’s conditions:
- Windy weather map (28.0445, -16.5375): swell, wind and live conditions.
- Windguru forecast for El Médano below: wind, gusts and rating over 7 days.
El Médano: which surf level?
Beginners: a good spot on small swells
Sandy bottom, gentle waves and schools on the beach: El Médano is a good place for your first waves. Avoid the afternoon, when the wind picks up.
Intermediates: when the south swell arrives
The left over reef lets you work on your turns. Otherwise, head to Las Américas, half an hour away by car.
Experienced surfers: rather for small days
El Médano is a small-day spot. For big winter swells, aim for the north coast, like Punta del Hidalgo.
How to get to El Médano
El Médano is about ten minutes from Tenerife South airport by the southern motorway. Park in the village near the beach and you are in the water in a few minutes.
Spot location
GPS coordinates (approximate): 28.0445° N, 16.5375° W. On El Médano beach, in south-east Tenerife.
Open the full map on OpenStreetMap
Where to stay near El Médano?
El Médano has apartments and small residences right by the beach. Accommodation map below.
What to do near El Médano?
Climb Montaña Roja, the volcanic cone at the end of the beach, for the view along the coast. On flat days, try kitesurfing or windsurfing: El Médano is famous for it.
FAQ: El Médano (Tenerife)
Yes, on small swells. The bottom is sand and pebbles and the waves are gentle, which is why surf schools teach there.
Spring and summer, when a south swell arrives. In winter it is often too small.
A west to north-west wind, blowing from the land. Morning is often the best time, before the trade wind picks up.
There are mostly surf schools and lots of kitesurfers, who have their own zones. On wave days the beach fills up quickly.
In short
El Médano is an easy-access beach break in southern Tenerife, with lefts and rights over sand and pebbles. A good spot to learn on small south swells, best surfed early before the wind picks up. To discover the other islands, read our guide to surfing in the Canary Islands.
Sources: Surf-forecast, Mondo Surf, Manawa. Photos: John McFetridge / Unsplash.