El Médano
El Médano, Canary Islands, Spain
Sports: Kitesurfing, Wingfoiling, Windsurfing, Surfing, Surf foiling, Parawing
Best time to go: July–August
El Médano is a small town on the south coast of Tenerife, in the Canary Islands, sitting beside the red volcanic cone of Montaña Roja. The northeast trade winds are accelerated around the island here, which makes it one of the windiest places in the Canaries. The wind blows side-onshore along the main beach and is usually strongest in summer, though it is windy for much of the year.
The water ranges from chop near shore to waves breaking on reef and rocks further out, which suit experienced riders. The main beach has a sandy launch, while some sections near the harbour wall and the point are rocky. On strong days the wind can be gusty close to Montaña Roja. The water stays fresh, so a thin wetsuit is useful most of the year. Several schools and rental centres operate in town. Follow local rules about swimming zones, and keep clear of the rocks downwind.
Month by month at El Médano
- January: 14 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 12 knots, waves 1.4 m, water 21°C, air 22°C (nights 16°C), 30 sunny days, 2 rainy days
- February: 12 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 1.4 m, water 20°C, air 22°C (nights 16°C), 28 sunny days, 1 rainy day
- March: 15 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 13 knots, waves 1.6 m, water 20°C, air 22°C (nights 16°C), 31 sunny days, 3 rainy days
- April: 13 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 13 knots, waves 1.3 m, water 20°C, air 23°C (nights 16°C), 30 sunny days, 2 rainy days
- May: 16 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 13 knots, waves 1.1 m, water 21°C, air 24°C (nights 17°C), 31 sunny days, 1 rainy day
- June: 16 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 14 knots, waves 1.1 m, water 22°C, air 25°C (nights 18°C), 30 sunny days, 1 rainy day
- July: 22 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 16 knots, waves 1.2 m, water 23°C, air 27°C (nights 20°C), 31 sunny days, 0 rainy days
- August: 23 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 17 knots, waves 1.2 m, water 24°C, air 28°C (nights 21°C), 31 sunny days, 1 rainy day
- September: 18 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 13 knots, waves 1.1 m, water 24°C, air 27°C (nights 21°C), 29 sunny days, 1 rainy day
- October: 13 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 1.1 m, water 24°C, air 27°C (nights 21°C), 31 sunny days, 0 rainy days
- November: 16 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 12 knots, waves 1.2 m, water 23°C, air 26°C (nights 20°C), 29 sunny days, 2 rainy days
- December: 13 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 1.3 m, water 22°C, air 23°C (nights 17°C), 30 sunny days, 3 rainy days
When is the best time to go kitesurfing, wingfoiling, windsurfing & parawing at El Médano?
July–August, when it is windy most often.
When is the best time to go surfing & surf foiling at El Médano?
March, when the waves are biggest.
How warm is the water at El Médano?
20°C to 24°C over the year: a shorty or lycra in the warmest month, a 3/2 full suit in the coolest.
How windy is El Médano?
About 190 days a year with at least 2 hours of 15+ knots in the daytime, most in August.
Figures from 5 years of weather data (Open-Meteo).
Spots near El Médano
- Gran Canaria – Pozo Izquierdo (112 km)
- Sotavento – Fuerteventura (227 km)
More: All spots in Spain · Kitesurfing in Spain · Wingfoiling in Spain · Windsurfing in Spain · Surfing in Spain · Surf foiling in Spain · Parawing in Spain
Compare with: El Médano vs Gran Canaria – Pozo Izquierdo · El Médano vs Sotavento – Fuerteventura · Dakhla Lagoon vs El Médano