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Captivating sunset surf scene in Cantabria, Spain, with surfers riding the waves.
📷 Milan Pieteraerents · Pexels

Surf Spot

3.9 — based on 20 community signals
4.3 12 species 40 contributors

Year-round reef and beach breaks in a protected marine zone off Tenerife. Popular holiday resort base with consistent swells and warm water.

⭐ Best for beginners.

🐢 MPA · Franja marina de Teno-Rasca updated 6 months ago
Difficulty
Beginner
MPAShore entryFamily-friendlyBeginner

At a glance

Activity
surf
Difficulty
beginner
Best months
Year-round

Top operators here

See all operators ↓

Map

This spot Operators Airport Nearby spots
Surf Spot location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
7.8 kn
Wave
0.74 m
Water
24.7°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: W (44%)
Now: W (266°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 1.61m

Next: High at 21:00 (+0.32m)

+0.7 m0 m-0.9 m
▲ 21:00 · +0.32m ▼ 03:00 · -0.54m ▲ 09:00 · +0.54m ▼ 15:00 · -0.76m Now -0.5m
Tue 3Wed 4Thu 5Fri 6Sat 7Sun 8Mon 9
UV5.9 · mod Air PM2.514 · moderate 07:19 18:20
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
11-03 8.8 0.94 6 0mm
11-04 6.9 0.68 5 0mm
11-05 10.2 0.68 5 0mm
11-06 6 0.66 6 0mm
11-07 9.1 0.64 5 0mm
11-08 18.1 1.36 1 12mm
11-09 16.3 1.84 1 37mm

About this spot

Playa de las Américas sits on Tenerife's south coast in the Franja marina de Teno-Rasca protected marine area. The spot offers multiple break options for different skill levels, from beachbreaks to reef sections that handle Atlantic swells. Water stays warm throughout the year, making it accessible for surfers in lightweight suits or rashguards. The holiday resort setting means good infrastructure—accommodation, food, and equipment shops are steps away. Local knowledge matters here; conditions shift with swell direction and tide, so checking recent community footage before paddling out saves time. The protected marine status keeps the area healthier than many developed coasts, which helps maintain consistent break quality. Nearby shops can sort you with local advice on which breaks suit your level that day.

📖 Guide: Diving in Spain: 91 Sites From Kelp Forests to Barracuda Walls

Best months

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Dive types

ReefShore

Trip essentials

Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 🏄 Surfboard or rental confirmation
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type C/F · 230V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌘 Moon Waning crescent · 38%
  • GPS
› Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 2936km · ~675kg · €12

From your departure country

United States
Origin score: 77/100
  • Visa: Visa-free · 90 days max
  • Flight: 7h · direct
  • Jet-lag: 6h east · 4 days recovery

FAQ

›When is the best time to surf Playa de las Américas?

The spot works year-round. Water temperature stays warm enough for minimal gear, and Atlantic swells reach the south coast regularly. Winter months often bring more organized swell, but summer offers cleaner winds in early morning sessions.

›What skill level is this break suited for?

Multiple breaks cater to different abilities. Beachbreaks are forgiving for beginners, while reef sections hold better shape for intermediate surfers. Check recent community videos to match your level to the right takeoff.

›What marine life should I watch for?

The protected marine zone supports diverse fish and invertebrate life. Twelve species observations have been documented in the area. Respect the MPA regulations and give marine life space.

›Do I need a permit or visa to surf here?

EU citizens can surf freely with a valid ID. Non-EU visitors need a standard Schengen visa for Spain. The spot is within a protected marine area—swim and surf responsibly and follow local guidelines.

See it live now

Live webcams at this spot (within 500 m). Windy.com

Operators near this spot

Dive centres, kite & surf schools within 10 km, sourced from OpenStreetMap.

Apnea Academy West Europe

4.9 km
Dive centre

Dive Center Aquanautic Club Tenerife

7.5 km
Dive centre

Deep Fin Tenerife Diving Center

9.8 km
Dive centre

Easy Divers

1.8 km
Dive centre PADI
PADI
Hours: 08:00-20:00

Club de Buceo - Rincon de Arona

2 km
Dive centre

Dive Club Ocean Trek

2.2 km
Dive centre
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:30-18:00; Su,PH off

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Verified marine species observations

76 records · 38 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Globicephala macrorhynchus

Short-finned pilot whale
Mammalia · Delphinidae
OBIS
Last seen:
30 May 2022
×2records

Decapoda

Malacostraca
OBIS
Last seen:
29 May 2017
×1records

Stenella frontalis

Mammalia · Delphinidae
OBIS
Last seen:
1 Apr 2017
×1records
Depth:
0–35 m

Globicephala macrorhynchus

Short-finned pilot whale
Mammalia · Delphinidae
OBIS
Last seen:
19 Mar 2017
×1records

Sepia officinalis

Cephalopoda · Sepiidae
OBIS
Last seen:
1 Nov 2016
×1records
Depth:
0 m

Scyllarides latus

Malacostraca · Scyllaridae
OBIS
Last seen:
7 Oct 2016
×1records

Narcissia canariensis

Asteroidea · Ophidiasteridae
OBIS
Last seen:
1 Jan 2016
×1records
Depth:
15 m

Squatina squatina

Elasmobranchii · Squatinidae
OBIS
Last seen:
1 Jan 2016
×1records
Depth:
15 m

Paracentrotus lividus

Echinoidea · Parechinidae
OBIS
Last seen:
1 Jun 2015
×1records
Depth:
5 m

Dardanus calidus

Malacostraca · Diogenidae
OBIS
Last seen:
1 Oct 2014
×1records
Depth:
0–25 m

Hoplometopus antillensis

Malacostraca · Enoplometopidae
OBIS
Last seen:
1 Oct 2014
×1records
Depth:
0–5 m

Squatina squatina

Elasmobranchii · Squatinidae
OBIS
Last seen:
1 Sept 2014
×1records
Depth:
15–20 m

Data: 187,991 observations from OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System) and GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility). CC-BY 4.0.

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

A road trip to Spain's best left point break

Kale Brock (Kale Brock)
💬 3 top comments
  • Me and my mates surfed this in 77.. empty for days. Big .. and camped on the beach. ❤❤❤❤

    @christogillard4145 · 👍 4
  • Nice vid. I'd always prefer to have a crappier wave on a nice quiet day with no one out, than a perfect wave that's super crowded.

    @LurgsHowToGuides · 👍 27
  • great vid, loved the graphical breakdown of locals, border patrol and non locals, that was hilarious!

    @johnmorris6643 · 👍 2

What Makes San Sebastian Spain's Best Surfing and Dining Spot

DW Travel
💬 3 top comments
  • WE TALKING TO BARRY WITH THIS ONE🗣🗣🔥

    @Zayan_SW · 👍 65
  • Comments: 50% actual visitors 50% G&B players

    @PredaconMegatron · 👍 53
  • I hope Barry is okay

    @Blackmask78967 · 👍 107

From High to Low | A Surftrip through northern Spain

Dominik
💬 1 top comments
  • Which spots ? ❤

    @generalgordon3 · 👍 1

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