Best time of year to surf in Lanzarote
One of the most common questions we get at Kalufa Surf School is: when should I come?
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The honest answer is: any time. Lanzarote is one of the very few places in Europe where you can surf every single month of the year. The Atlantic doesn’t stop, the sun almost always shines, and Famara Beach picks up swell more consistently than almost anywhere on the continent.
But different times of year suit different surfers, and knowing the difference can make your trip significantly better.
Winter surfing in Lanzarote: Famara at its most powerful (October–March)
This is when the Atlantic shows its full character. Low-pressure systems sweeping in from the northwest generate powerful, consistent swells that roll into Famara with impressive regularity. Waves can reach 2–3 metres on bigger days, and even on quieter days the surf is clean, organised and satisfying.
Winter in Lanzarote is nothing like winter in northern Europe. Air temperatures sit between 17°C and 22°C, the sun is out most days, and the island is far less crowded than in summer. For intermediate and advanced surfers, this is the golden season.
Beginners can still learn in winter, the key is choosing the right day and the right spot on the beach. At Kalufa, our instructors know exactly where to position beginners even when the main peak is pumping.
Water temperature: 17–19°C — a 4/3mm wetsuit recommended.
Spring surfing in Lanzarote: the perfect transition (April–May)
Spring is quietly one of the best times to visit Famara. The powerful winter swells start to ease, giving way to more manageable waves that still have plenty of energy. The crowds that come with summer haven’t arrived yet, the weather is warm and stable, and the ocean has a calm confidence about it.
For intermediate surfers looking to progress, spring offers ideal conditions, waves with shape and push, but without the intimidation of full winter swell. For beginners, it’s excellent too: consistent enough to practise, gentle enough to build confidence quickly.
Air temperature: 20–24°C. Water temperature: 18–20°C — a 3mm wetsuit is fine.
Summer surfing in Lanzarote: ideal for beginners at Famara Beach (June–September)
Summer brings lighter, smaller waves, and this is actually the best time of year to learn to surf at Famara. The Atlantic calms down considerably, producing the kind of gentle, rolling whitewater that beginners need to build their pop-up, find their balance, and catch wave after wave without getting overwhelmed.
The days are long, the air is warm (25–30°C), and the atmosphere on the beach is relaxed and social. Families, first-timers, and anyone who wants to enjoy the ocean without pressure, summer is your season.
One thing to know: summer brings the trade winds, which can create choppy surface conditions in the afternoon. Morning sessions are almost always cleaner. We recommend booking early in the day.
Water temperature: 20–22°C — a shorty or 2mm wetsuit, or even board shorts on warmer days.
Autumn surfing in Lanzarote: Famara wakes up again (September–October)
The transition from summer to winter is one of the most exciting times on the Canary Islands surf calendar. The first autumn swells start arriving in late September, quickly transforming Famara from a gentle beginner beach into something altogether more powerful.
For surfers who want to experience the energy of Famara’s best waves without the full intensity of deep winter, September and October are perfect. The water is still warm from summer, the days are still long, and the surf is building beautifully.
Water temperature: 21–23°C — a 3mm wetsuit is ideal.
When should you visit Famara?
- Complete beginners: June to September — smaller waves, warm water, relaxed atmosphere
- Intermediate surfers: April–May or September–October — great waves without extremes
- Advanced surfers: November to February — powerful Atlantic swell, uncrowded beach
- Families with children: July and August — warm, calm, safe conditions
Whatever month you choose, Kalufa Surf School will be on the beach at Famara, ready to make the most of whatever the Atlantic has to offer.
📍 Kalufa Surf School — Caleta de Famara, Lanzarote
📞 +34 693 819 586
✉️ info@kalufasurfschool.es