Canary Islands

They suit different surfers. Fuerteventura has longer sandy beaches and more wind, ideal for learners, kiters, and consistent year-round sessions. Lanzarote has heavier reef breaks (Famara, El Quemao, San Juan) that come alive in winter. If you want to learn or also kitesurf, pick Fuerteventura. If you want to challenge a winter reef, pick Lanzarote.

Three solid options: Fuerteventura north (Corralejo and El Cotillo beach breaks), Famara beach in Lanzarote (long whitewater rolls, gentle slope), and Las Palmas city beach in Gran Canaria. All work in summer and shoulder season when swell drops to surf-school size.

November to February for size. The Atlantic delivers reliable head-high to overhead swell, the air stays around 20°C, and winter crowds are still smaller than mainland Europe. October and March are excellent compromise months: less crowded, water still 21°C, swell still consistent.

A 3/2 covers most of the year. Water sits between 19°C (Feb to Apr) and 23°C (Aug to Oct). Locals often wear a 2mm shorty in summer. Bring booties for the volcanic reef at El Quemao.

Inter-island flights (Binter Canarias) run hourly, 30 minutes between any pair, around €60 one-way. Ferries (Naviera Armas, Fred Olsen) take 1 to 2 hours between Fuerteventura and Lanzarote, longer to Tenerife and Gran Canaria. Most surfers pick one island per trip and stay put.

Spain politically (Spanish autonomous region), Africa geographically (100 km off Morocco). Currency is Euro, language is Spanish, the time zone matches Lisbon. Visa rules follow Schengen.