📍 Granadilla de Abona, Tenerife
📍 Granadilla de Abona, Tenerife
The north-easterly trade winds blow steadily all year round, and Montaña Roja accelerates them by 5 to 10 knots. Usually between 15 and 35 knots, with over 250 sailable days a year.
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Playa Central offers steady wind and flatter-water zones, ideal for wing foiling and beginners. El Cabezo brings waves for wave windsurfing fans.
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El Cabezo has a sand and volcanic reef bottom with rocks. Respect the flag system, follow lifeguard guidance and match your gear to wind that is usually strong.
Safety arrow_forwardThe north-easterly trade winds are constant all year round, typically blowing at 15 to 35 knots. The iconic Montaña Roja acts as a natural accelerator, channelling the wind between the mountain and the coast and boosting its intensity by 5 to 10 knots above the general forecast. All of this guarantees over 250 sailable days a year. Southerly winds occasionally set in, leaving the bay perfect for freestyle and slalom on flat water.
The water sits between 20 and 23°C all year round, so you can sail comfortably at any time of year. Tenerife's subtropical climate brings air temperatures of 20°C to 32°C and around 300 days of sunshine a year. A 3/2 mm wetsuit is enough in winter; in summer, a shorty or a lightweight wetsuit is more than sufficient.
This is the largest natural beach in Tenerife and the main zone, where the trade winds blow with the most strength and quality. It offers steady wind and flatter-water areas, ideal for beginners and for wing foiling. It's the perfect starting point for your first tacks or for long foil sessions.
View on Google Maps open_in_newThis is the wave spot par excellence, mainly for windsurfing. The left-hander is more consistent and has a better wall than the right. The bottom is sand and volcanic reef, with rocks poking through, so it demands experience and caution, especially at low tide. It's a classic for the island's wave windsurfing scene.
View on Google Maps open_in_newBesides the two main zones, other sailing spots such as South Bay and the harbour wall area are worth mentioning, offering a variety of conditions and options depending on the day and each rider's level.
El Médano has several leading centres. TWS Windsurf Solution offers hire, coaching and equipment sales, with certified instructors. Duotone Pro Center Tenerife runs lessons and hire for windsurfing, kitesurfing and wing foiling. Sognicanarias offers flexible wing foiling courses with qualified instructors, and Kitesurf313 offers windsurfing and wing foiling introductions.
The Federación Insular de Vela de Tenerife (FIVT) runs group sailing, wing foiling and windsurfing courses, including for children, and awards the Técnico Deportivo de Grado Medio qualification. When choosing a school, it's a good sign if it's affiliated with the official sailing federations, a guarantee of quality and safety in teaching.
In an emergency, dial 112 (Spain's emergency number) or use VHF channel 16 to reach Salvamento Marítimo, Spain's official maritime rescue service. The Spanish Red Cross (Cruz Roja) is actively involved in water rescue, with lifeguards present on the beaches.
Spanish beaches use a flag system to indicate sea conditions: green (bathing permitted), yellow (caution), red (bathing prohibited) and purple (presence of hazardous marine life). Always check it before entering the water.
The Real Federación Española de Vela (RFEV) and the Real Federación Canaria de Vela set the regulations and promote safety in water sports. Choosing a school affiliated with these federations ensures teaching that meets their standards.
El Médano is a quiet coastal village with a strong windsurfing, wing foiling and kitesurfing scene. Its seafront promenade, terraces and specialist shops make it a comfortable base for several days, with Tenerife's largest natural beach right on the doorstep.
Lighter days are perfect for climbing Montaña Roja, a protected volcanic cone with spectacular views over the bay, or for exploring the surrounding beaches and coves. Southern Tenerife offers near-guaranteed sunshine and plenty to do to round out a wind sports trip.
Tenerife South Airport (TFS), also known as Reina Sofía, is very close to El Médano, just a few kilometres away. It's one of the spot's great attractions: you can land and be sailing in no time.
El Médano is easily reached by road from the airport and the rest of the island. The TF-1 motorway is the main route serving the area. Hiring a car is the most convenient option for transporting your gear and getting around the various spots in southern Tenerife.
El Médano's great advantage is how reliable the wind is across all twelve months. With over 250 sailable days and a typical strength of 15 to 35 knots, you'll find conditions for windsurfing or wing foiling almost always. Montaña Roja plays its part by accelerating the trade wind at any time of year.
The summer months usually bring the strongest and most consistent trade winds, ideal for those seeking powerful wind. The water stays warm, between 20 and 23°C, and the subtropical climate provides long, sunny days. With these conditions, you'll be reaching for small sails and small wings.
Thanks to its constant north-easterly trade winds all year round. Montaña Roja accelerates the wind, boosting its strength by 5 to 10 knots above the general forecast, which guarantees over 250 sailable days a year and makes it an ideal destination for windsurfing and wing foiling.
In winter, a 3/2 mm wetsuit is enough. In summer, with warmer air and water temperatures, a shorty or a lightweight wetsuit is sufficient. The water sits between 20 and 23°C all year round.
There are several recognised schools, such as TWS Windsurf Solution, Duotone Pro Center Tenerife and Sognicanarias, with qualified instructors and courses for all levels. The Federación Insular de Vela de Tenerife also runs windsurfing and wing foiling courses.
Playa de El Médano, or Playa Central, with steady wind and flatter water, ideal for beginners and wing foiling; and El Cabezo, a wave spot mainly for windsurfing. Discover more spots in our destination directory.