Playa Las Americas: one of the best beaches in Tenerife for Surfing

Welcome to Playa de Las Americas, Tenerife’s surfing paradise! If you are looking for a place to go to catch waves and walk along the shallows, then you are in the right place.

We are going to reveal you the biggest of our secrets: where are the best waves to surf and what are their characteristics. Because don’t forget, to have a really good surfing experience the most important thing is that you surf waves according to your surfing level.

And before we start describing the waves of the area, keep in mind that the bottom of this area is made of stone (low, as we call it), there is no sand here. When they say that the Canary Islands are volcanic islands, believe me they are not kidding.

Surf spots in Playa las Americas that you cannot miss during your vacations in Tenerife South

El Medio

In El Medio we have a relatively easy wave. It is ideal to start surfing but also for those who have been surfing for a while.

When the tide goes down the wave breaks farther away, this will allow you to practice in the foams if you are a beginner. But if you want to level up, the waves of the line up are perfect for perfecting turns and progress.

Of course, when the tide rises, if you don’t know what you’re doing, it’s best not to go in because the waves end up in a slightly compromised place, ending up very close to the rock. But don’t worry, nothing that can’t be overcome with a little practice and determination!

El Medio is a year-round wave, so you can surf it whenever you want. And if you get a good swell, believe me it will be worth it. Surf it!

Las Palmeras

Listen well my friend, because I’m going to tell you something. Before I told you that I was going to reveal some of the best kept secrets by the surfers of Tenerife.

Well, the wave of Las Palmeras is undoubtedly one of them. But beware, you must have a fairly high level of surfing to be able to make it. It is very fast and hollow, so if you do not have an advanced level, better stay on the shore sunbathing, right?

What is important is that you respect the locals, be polite and say hello when you enter the water! And, of course, respect priorities! Also, keep in mind that Las Palmeras is one of the most exclusive spots in the area.

But believe me when I tell you that when you catch a couple of waves in this spot you will realize how much it was worth it.

And best of all, no matter what the tide is, you’ll always find good waves, but beware, depending on the direction of the swell, Las Palmeras can change faces faster than a chameleon in a rainbow!

Oh, and you can’t miss one of the best surfing events in Spain, Las Américas Surf Pro. A surf festival that takes place every year in this spot. A competition is held where the best surfers of the national and international scene meet. There are also concerts with live music, activities related to surfing, exhibition of material … An incredible atmosphere in which the entire surfing community of Tenerife is concentrated that you can not miss!.

So there you have it, my friend. If you are an experienced surfer and want to enjoy, Las Palmeras is a spot to take into account.But always respect the rules of surfing priority and the locals.

The Bunker

It is a left for intermediate / advanced surfers.The beginning sections are usually faster due to the bottom, depending on the tide. At high tide, you can enjoy the wave from start to finish, but at low tide there is a section with a small reef sticking out in the middle of the wave.

This wave works with south, southwest, west and northwest directions.It breaks more in winter, depending on the season, but it works all year round.

El Fincho

A good spot for surfing in Tenerife is undoubtedly El Fincho. Here we find a good right hand wave with different sections that will make you enjoy a good session.After the first section, this wave will give you more vertical sections ideal for stronger maneuvers.

But be careful, this is not a spot for beginners, you must have an intermediate-advanced level to enjoy this wave safely. I’ll tell you why: the tides will change a lot the panorama of this spot.At low tide you will find some rocks protruding right in front of the peak, so your standing up will have to be fast and technical to give you time to avoid them.

On the other hand, at high tide the currents in the line up are strong and can push you towards the levee, you must be aware of this. So, if you have a powerful take off and you know how to read the sea well, this is your spot.

And when does El Fincho work?Well, depending a bit on the season, it usually works quite well from October to May.

La Derecha del Cartel

One of the jewels in the crown is undoubtedly La Derecha del Cartel, and it has it all!It is one of the most constant in the area due to its orientation.It receives swells from the northwest and west, so we are simply in front of a marvel that works almost all year round. Hey, hey! Surely you’re looking forward to surf this right!

But I’ll tell you more, this spot works with all kinds of tides. The only thing that changes is the length of the wave.At low tide, the wave breaks farther out. And at high tide, it breaks closer to the reef, so the wave in this case will be shorter. Keep that in mind!

And the most important thing: this wave is very fun and perfect for intermediate/advanced surfers! Of course, being a wave very surfed by locals, respect in the water is essential. So, if you don’t want to have a bad experience, don’t jump waves. With respect and kindness you’ll have an incredible swim here!

El Dedo

El Dedo is one of the most technical waves in the Americas. It has a great variety of sections that depend a lot on the tide and the direction of the swell.The spot has both lefts and rights and like the Cartel Right, it is very consistent. This makes it a fun and changing wave, offering a really challenging and exciting experience for the surfer.

It works especially well from fall to spring, as this is when multiple swell directions come from the northwest, west and southwest.This guarantees a great variety of conditions and more potential to enjoy the waves.

Don’t miss this opportunity because you will love the complex wave formation of the spot. Test your technical skills in the different sections that you will see here, everything will depend on the tides and swell, you will be amazed with this spot!.

Swimming pool

We are really in love with this place. It is a really special wave because it is located in an idyllic spot, in front of a natural pool, hence its name.

In addition, it is in front of the famous OA Beach Club, one of the best beach clubs in Las Americas.Imagine the plan: come to the OA Beach Club and recover from your surfing session by having a drink and enjoying the sunset on a terrace in front of the spot.
Returning to the wave itself, we see that it breaks both left and right.But what you really want to know is that it is one of the longest waves in the Americas, and is therefore the paradise of longboards. But it is also a great spot to take out a twinfin or any other alternative board.

It is the perfect place to exploit all your creativity and define your own style as a surfer. In addition, this wave works with any type of tide. The conditions and the location are the perfect combination to make this place one of the best spots in the area.

La Fitenia

Okay, I’ve been telling you very top spots in the area, but La Fitenia is La Fitenia. This wave is exceptional, it breaks next to a rock break which makes it one of the most powerful waves in the Americas.

However, it only works with southern strength during the summer, when brutal lefts and rights are defined on rock bottom.

The combination of these specific conditions results in a unique wave with multiple sections, making it the perfect setting for all kinds of maneuvers.
Surfers who venture here will find an exciting challenge and a unique opportunity to showcase their skill and style in the water.

The southerly force in summer provides the necessary push for this wave to reach its full potential, generating clean and powerful sections.The rocky bottom adds an additional element of intensity and sharpness to the wave, providing surfers with challenging but rewarding terrain.

If you have the opportunity to surf this wave, you will be enjoying a unique experience in a stunning setting. Take advantage of the multiple sections to get the most out of your maneuvers and get ready for an unforgettable adventure at this outstanding spot in Las Americas!.

Things to do in Playa de Las Americas

What is really incredible about Las Americas is the cultural movement that has been formed around surfing. We have incredible spots for surfing as we have told you, but also with brutal places for skating and skateboarding and surfskate.

This attracts a lot of people so the area has become a hotbed of creativity and culture. Musicians and artists complete the picture, making the place an exceptional area of the surf scene, because if anything defines Las Americas is the good vibe that is breathed.
And in Las Americas is not only surfing or skating. You’ll be able to go to live concerts, enjoy the works of underground artists of the movement, eat in bars and restaurants with really good food and have a beer on a terrace after your surfing session. The truth is that we have it all and we love it.

And of course, all this without forgetting the temperature we have all year round. While others escape the cold of winter looking for the warmth in front of a stove, we sunbathe on the beaches of the Americas and catch waves in our swimsuits. With a temperature between 20 and 25 degrees, a complete surfer panorama and exceptional waves, is it or is it not the best getaway you can do in winter?

Places to stay and stay – hotels?

If you ask us what is the best place to stay in Las Americas when you come to surf, we will definitely tell you the Hotel Bitácora. It is located just a few minutes walk from the best surf spots in Tenerife and has incredible facilities to relax after the sessions.

Imagine getting out of the water, leaving your board in the hotel’s Locker Room and without worrying about bringing it up to your room you can go straight to dinner at the buffet or enjoy the views from the rooftop, where there is also an infinity pool and a jacuzzi. Doesn’t that sound bad?

And if you are looking for a more affordable option, Las Americas has a wide range of hostels designed for wave lovers coming from all over the world. Some of our recommendations are La Tortuga, with an unbeatable atmosphere or the Hostel Las Americas, with very affordable prices.

There is no excuse, there are options for all budgets. Are you still thinking about it?

Places and restaurants to go and eat

As we said before, the best thing about this area is its multiculturalism, which makes this environment so special. And when it comes to food, it is not far behind. We are fortunate to have a great variety of flavors thanks to this cultural mix. Here you can enjoy all kinds of food.

If you are looking for authentic Canarian food, we recommend you to visit restaurants like Chamachete and El Gomero. You can also explore Mexico Street, where you will find multiple bars and restaurants offering a wide range of culinary options.

If you want to go to the best Italian restaurants in Las Americas, we suggest you visit Tijuana and Big Wave, places where you can delight yourself with delicious pizzas, pastas and other traditional Italian dishes. We are sure you will not be disappointed.

For those who prefer healthier options, Burger Cafe, Flo’s and Pistachio are excellent choices. These places offer healthy and nutritious meals, as well as vegan and vegetarian options in Las Americas.

In short, the south of Tenerife is a culinary paradise, where multiculturalism is reflected in the great gastronomic variety you can find.

Do not hesitate to explore the best restaurants in the south of Tenerife and have an unforgettable experience!