Best Surf lessons in Lanzarote
Lanzarote is an island of volcanic landscapes and pristine beaches that are perfect for surfing, both for beginners and experienced surfers.
Surfing in Lanzarote | ©Thierry Gregorius
Surfing on this Canary Island is one of the best things to do in Lanzarote. Here you'll find beaches with calm waves ideal for beginners, such as Famara, Orzola and Las Cucharas, as well as some of the most sought-after waves for surfers from all over the world, such as El Muelle and El Quemao.
Most of these places have surf schools with experienced guides who will tell you everything you need to know to have a safe experience in the water. These schools also rent equipment for you to practice on your own, and organise surf camps with more activities you can join.
1. Famara Beach
Famara is one of the best beaches in Lanzarote where you can surf, because it has areas for both beginners and professionals, and there are many surf schools.
Famara beach stretches for 6 km of white sand and has no rocks, making it perfect for surfing.
The centre is the most suitable area for beginners, as the waves are longer and more consistent, and this is where the surf schools usually give lessons. On the other hand, the extremes are the most popular with more experienced surfers.
The main surfing spots in Famara are:
- The centre of the beach: this is the best area to get started in surfing.
- El Codito: it is located at the entrance of Famara and has both sand and rocks. It is for more experienced surfers.
- El Muelle: it is next to the fishing pier of Famara and is one of the most renowned surfing spots, only for experienced surfers.
- San Juan: it is a place for experienced surfers only, due to its fast and powerful waves.
Surf lessons on Famara Beach
On Famara beach you will find many surf schools that offer lessons for beginners, intermediate and advanced surfers from 10 years old. Prices vary between 45 EUR for a 4 hour group lesson, or 90 EUR for a 4 hour individual lesson.
You can also book a combo of several lessons over several days, if you have the time to dedicate to the sport. If you are a beginner, it is best to take specific lessons for beginners.
Here are some of the companies that offer surfing lessons and camps for all levels all year round, as well as equipment hire and even bike rentals.
Many also offer courses in kitesurfing, wingsurfing, SUP and the possibility of combining surfing with other activities such as yoga. In short, the area offers some of the best activities you can do in Lanzarote.
How to get to Famara Beach
Famara beach is located within the Chinijo Archipelago Natural Park, in the northwest of the island, between the village of Caleta de Famara and the base of the cliff of the same name.
If you go by car or bus, you must first get to Caleta de Famara and from there to the beach next to it.
2. La Santa
On the beaches of La Santa, a town on the northwest coast of Lanzarote, you can surf every day of the year. However, you need to be more experienced, as its world-famous waves are sought after by the most experienced surfers.
The surfing areas of La Santa are:
- El Quemao: it receives surfers from all over the world who want to try its hollow and strong waves, especially between October and March. It has even hosted important surfing championships. It is only recommended for expert surfers.
- The left: The best waves are between September and May. Its waves are short and explosive, and the entry to the water has some difficulty.
- The right: its waves are constant, that's why they are one of the most famous of Lanzarote. Only suitable for expert surfers.
- El Centro: it is a place of medium difficulty, with long and constant waves.
Surf lessons in La Santa
In La Santa there are several surf schools offering lessons for beginners, such as Lanzarote Vida Surf, and surf lessons for all levels, such as Kaboti Surf.
How to get to La Santa
From Arrecife it's about 45 minutes by car, taking the LZ-20 road to La Santa. You can also take a bus from the Ida Public Library in Arrecife to La Santa. The journey takes about 45 minutes.
3. La Garita Beach
La Garita beach is located in the northeast of the island and is an ideal place for beginners.
It is located in the village of Arrieta, near the Jameos del Agua, one of the most recommended places to visit in Lanzarote. It is also one of the places that can be combined with the Timanfaya tours in Lanzarote.
In La Garita you will find a dark sandy beach 800 metres long with constant waves ideal for learning to surf. It is also home to many surf schools and equipment rental shops.
Although it is an area of calm waves, there can be some rougher waves, so it is advisable, if you are a beginner, to surf when the tide is low.
Surf lessons in La Garita
In La Garita you will find several surf schools that offer lessons for all levels from 10 years of age, so it is an ideal activity for those who are looking for something to do with children in Lanzarote.
In these same schools you'll be able to rent the equipment, as is the case in La Garita Surf Surf.
How to get to La Garita
From Arrecife you can reach Arrieta in 20 minutes by car taking the LZ-01 road. You can also take a bus from the Guaguas bus station, which will take you to Arrieta in 45 minutes.
4. La Graciosa Island
There are several surf spots on the island of La Graciosa, which lies to the north of Lanzarote and can be reached by ferry or by booking a tour to La Graciosa from Lanzarote.
It'snot a place for beginners, as there are no surf schools on the island. But if you have some experience, you'll love this island, where there are no tarmac roads or cars: that's what makes it so special.
Some places in La Graciosa are:
- Playa de la francesa: This is the most accessible surfing area. The ferry leaves you two kilometres from this beach, which can only be reached on foot or by renting a bicycle.
- Montaña Amarilla (Yellow Mountain): It is located southwest of the island, and has a fast left wave, although there are not always waves here.
How to get to La Graciosa
The only way to get to the island of La Graciosa is to take a ferry from the port of Órzola, which in half an hour takes you to Caleta del Sebo, in the centre of the island. From Arrecife you have 35 minutes by car to Órzola on the LZ-01 road. By bus it takes about an hour from the Guaguas bus station.
The ferry companies that go to La Graciosa are Biosfera Express and Líneas Romero. They leave every day every one and a half hours, starting at 8 am. The last ferry returns from La Graciosa at 18.30-19 hs. You can book the trip on their websites:
The fare is around 28 EUR return.
There are also water taxis operating on the island, which provide transfers from other parts of the island, but their prices are higher.
5. Caleta de Caballo
Caleta de Caballo beach is located in Teguise, between Famara and La Santa, and is one of the most popular surfing spots for surfers from all over the world. It has surfing areas of high difficulty and intermediate difficulty.
The wave on the left is ideal for medium level surfers, while the one on the right is faster and hollow, so it is more suitable for experienced surfers.
How to get to Caleta de Caballo
From Arrecife you can take the LZ-20 road and in 20 minutes you will reach Caleta de caballo. You can also get there by bus from the Ida Public Library in Arrecife, and in 1 hour and 10 minutes you will arrive at your destination.
6. Orzola Beach
Órzola is located in the north of the island and is an ideal place for beginner surfers, as the waves break on a sandy bottom from the left and right.
Órzola is a small fishing village of 400 inhabitants, from where the ferry takes you to the island of La Graciosa, where there are no cars or asphalt.
In Órzola you can enjoy the delicious local dishes, especially if you eat fish and seafood, although you will also find other options.
How to get to Órzola
From Arrecife you can take the LZ-01 road to the village, which takes about 35 minutes. You can also go by bus and it will take you an hour from the Guaguas bus station.
7. Caleta del Espino Beach
Caleta del Espino beach is a place located in Haría for expert surfers only.
Here you will find a long wave that forms very interesting tubes. However, it can be dangerous due to the sharp volcanic rocks at the bottom. If you are not experienced enough, you shouldn't risk it.
It is best to surf here when the tide is high and the wind comes from the west, and in the months of October to April.
How to get to El Espino
If you are driving from Arrecife you can take the LZ-1 road to Caleta del Espino, in Punta Mujeres. You can also go by bus from the Guagua station in Arrecife. It will take you 25 minutes by car and 50 minutes by bus.
8. Jameos Beach
At Jameos beach you can find a long, fast, left-going wave, ideal for experienced surfers. However, if there is a lot of current and you don't know the way, it will be difficult to get into the water, but you may be able to get back in by watching the locals.
This beach is very close to Lanzarote's landmark Jameos del Agua, a tunnel that was formed by a volcanic eruption and was worked on by César Manrique, an important Canary Island artist who managed to bring art and nature together in his designs across the island.
How to get to Playa Jameos
If you are driving from Arrecife you can take the LZ-1 road to Jameos del Agua, which will take you about 25 minutes. You can also take the bus from the Guagua station in Arrecife. It will take you about 50 minutes.
9. Caletón del Mero
In Caletón del Mero you will find high difficulty waves, fast, only for experts. This is one of the most sought after waves by professional surfers. The left and right waves form tubes, and the right wave is longer.
How to get to Caletón del Mero
If you are driving from Arrecife you can take the LZ-1 road in the direction of Órzola to Caletón del Mero beach, which will take you about 30 minutes. You can also take a bus in front of the Guagua station in Arrecife in the direction of Órzola, to Caletón del Mero beach. The bus takes 1 hour and 15 minutes to get there.
10. Las Cucharas
Las Cucharas beach is located in Teguise and La Santa, and is ideal for beginners, as its waters are calmer.
Its waves coming in from the left can be enjoyed all year round, although winds are more regular between May and August.
How to get to Las cucharas
In Las Cucharas you can find surf schools for beginners, intermediate and advanced surfers, and equipment rental, such as Volcano Surf Lanzarote.
How to get to Las cucharas
If you are driving from Arrecife you can take the Las Palmeras road and drive 13 minutes to Teguise. You can also take the bus from the Vuelta Public Library in Arrecife, which will drop you off 500 metres from the beach. The bus takes about 30 minutes.
What you need to know if it's your first time surfing
If this is your first time surfing, you should know that you don't need to buy specific equipment as the surf schools will provide you with all the elements you need, i.e. board and wetsuit. Just make sure you put on plenty of waterproof sunscreen as you will be in the sun for several hours.
You can opt for private lessons, which are a bit more expensive, or group lessons of no more than 5 people per instructor. There are more suitable places to take lessons as a beginner, such as the centre of Famara beach, La Garita or Las Cucharas, where the seabed is sandy and the waves do not offer much difficulty.
On the other hand, many companies include the transfer and can take you to the best place depending on the sea conditions of the day you take your lessons.
On average, it takes a person about 20 hours to learn to ride a wave, but this depends on the individual. Some people can do it after just one lesson. However, if you really want to learn to surf, you can opt to take lessons several days in a row, taking advantage of the discounts offered by surf companies.
Finally, make sure you take lessons at a surf school with a recognised track record, which can provide you with the safety you need to practice this sport and enjoy it to the fullest.
Surf lessons for advanced surfers and equipment hire
Most of the surf schools in Lanzarote, apart from giving lessons, rent equipment for those who travel without their own equipment and want to surf on their own. Renting a board for a day costs around 20 EUR and a wetsuit for 5 EUR, with the possibility of buying a combo for several days at a discount.
As for the lessons for advanced surfers, they are geared towards providing information on the best places to surf, in relation to the waves, wind, currents, etc., with transfer included.