Playa del Socorro is a black sand and pebble beach below the cliffs of Los Realejos, west of Puerto de la Cruz. A beach break with lefts and rights and a few reef areas, which can work all year when the north swell arrives. For the rest of the island, read our guide to surf spots in Tenerife.
The downside is the crowd: the spot is often busy, and crowding can make the water dangerous.
“My best session was at El Socorro, one morning when conditions were perfect for beginners: small swell, no wind. My instructor took me there, I would never have dared go alone. That day I caught my first real green wave.” Jean, beginner surfer back from Tenerife
At a glance: El Socorro
| Wave type | Beach break with a few reefs, lefts and rights |
| Bottom | Sand and pebbles |
| Best tide | Low to mid tide |
| Swell direction | North to north-west |
| Best wind | South to south-west (offshore) |
| Level | Intermediate and experienced, beginners only on very small swells |
| Crowd | Heavy |
| Best season | Autumn, all year depending on the swell |
El Socorro surf spot (Tenerife)
Surf-Forecast says it works on all tides, Mondo Surf prefers low to mid tide: check the spot before paddling out.
It needs a north swell and a light south-west wind, blowing from the land.
When to surf El Socorro?
The spot can work all year, but clean conditions come most often in autumn, especially in October according to Surf-Forecast.
Surf calendar El Socorro: intensity by month
El Socorro forecast
Before you paddle out, check today’s conditions:
- Windy weather map (28.3955, -16.6130): swell, wind and live conditions.
- Windguru forecast for Puerto de la Cruz below: wind, gusts and rating over 7 days.
El Socorro: which surf level?
Beginners: rather elsewhere
Sources disagree: Mondo Surf says all levels, Hello Canary Islands and Ferryhopper keep it for experienced surfers. If you are a beginner, go to Playa Jardín on a small swell instead.
Intermediates: your playground
On medium north swells, the lefts and rights let you work both sides. Stay away from the peaks where the locals surf.
Experienced surfers: on big swells
The spot gets more powerful, with sections over the reef areas.
How to get to El Socorro
The beach lies below Los Realejos, a few kilometres west of Puerto de la Cruz. Arrive early when there are waves, the spot fills up quickly.
Spot location
GPS coordinates (approximate): 28.3955° N, 16.6130° W. At Playa del Socorro, Los Realejos, on the north coast of Tenerife.
Open the full map on OpenStreetMap
Where to stay near El Socorro?
Los Realejos and nearby Puerto de la Cruz have most of the accommodation. Map below.
What to do near El Socorro?
La Orotava and its wooden-balconied houses are very close. On flat days, the Anaga trails are worth the trip: read our article on hiking in the Anaga massif.
FAQ: El Socorro (Tenerife)
Only on very small swells. Most sources keep it for intermediate and experienced surfers.
Autumn, especially October. The spot can work all year with a north swell.
Sources differ: low to mid tide according to Mondo Surf, all tides according to Surf-Forecast.
Yes, the spot is often busy when there are waves.
In short
El Socorro is a beach break on the north coast of Tenerife, with lefts and rights on north swells. Rather for intermediate and experienced surfers, especially in winter. To discover the other islands, read our guide to surfing in the Canary Islands.
Sources: Surf-forecast, Mondo Surf, Web Tenerife, Hello Canary Islands, Ferryhopper.