Flag Beach Windsurfing
The main location in Corralejo is the golden sands of Flag beach, approximately a 10 minute drive from the centre of town. On the edge of the Las Dunas National Park, with its white dunes, it is a spectacular spot. This whole beach, and a large part of the surrounding area, is a nature reserve and is stunningly beautiful. The beautiful sandy beach, turquoise sea and the offshore island of Lobos are a visual highlight. Flag Beach is a comfortable spot for windsurfers, where you can relax and cruise as well as push the limits.
The beach faces north east, with a 400m long bay protected either side by reefs, with predominantly flat water on the inside and the potential for swell or waves in the winter for jumping practice further out. In this location the wind generally blows side to side on from the left.
At low tide some rocks are exposed in-between sandy areas, but at higher tides the whole launch area is sand. Generally there are some small waves along this area, although there are also some great flat water sections. The waves are more prevalent in Spring and Autumn, and can be found about 200m offshore where there is a deep reef. It is quite a safe wavebreak, and therefore ideal for learning to waveride. The waves can reach up to 2m, but from May to August the whole beach becomes quite flat when the waves disappear and flat slalom conditions prevail. However, the bay is reached by the north and south swell, so it can therefore bring waves in summer as well as winter. These break gently at high tide as a swell on an upstream reef, and at low tide, steeper ramps form. However, if the Sirocco wind is blowing, the wind switches to a strong cross-onshore from the right, with some big swells and a heavy shore break.
The Straits between Flag Beach and the island of Los Lobos offer perfect long downwind runs too. Beginner windsurfers are best suited to travel to Cotillo with a 1km beach and sheltered lagoon like bay. Approximately a 25 minute drive, lessons are organised and depart from the Flag Beach centre.
The beach is completely untouched by the tourism development you see in town and as such there are very limited facilities. The only structure on the whole beach is the windsurf centre and a small beach bar. Â We recommended you come prepared for the whole day with everything you might need. There is a small hut next door to the Flag Beach centre which sells snacks and lunches. There are no shower or WC facilities at the centre.
