El Gabezo Bay, El Medano (Tenerife)
El Cabezo Bay
El Cabezo Bay is the next bay north of the harbour wall. It is where the best wave sailors in Tenerife are to be found, and every year in August the PWA windsurfing world cup comes to visit Cabezo for its excellent jumping and wave riding conditions. The spot works 200 days of the year, and is best in the regular north-east trade winds which are cross on-shore. It is very much a spot for expert wave sailors only, and the locals don’t take kindly to anybody getting in the way who don’t know what they are doing.
The bay can be accessed by sailing upwind from the launch beach at South bay, or launching in Cabezo Bay itself where there are two narrow areas to launch from.
Cabezo Bay does have its hazards. The waves are powerful, and if you land near the rocks the wind is very unreliable due to the buildings that are downwind. The rocks at the left hand side next to the beach launch spot can be dangerous at high tide, and there is also a protruding rock called “Godzilla” located around 20 meters to the right of the launch spot which can be hard to spot in time and can damage equipment.
Cabezo works with every tide, although the best conditions usually occur three hours either side of hightide. Often the wind gets stronger after hightide is reached and the waves are cleaner.
Summary
Launch: Sandy beach.
Wind Direction: Cross-onshore from the left (NE) 90% of the time.
Wind Type: North-East Trade wind throughput the year with 70% planing winds.
Shorebreak: Slight shorebreak at low tide, but can be big in strong winds and southerly swell.
Water Conditions: Wind chop with whitecaps in strong winds. Sometimes swell. Big waves in El Cabezo.
Suitability: All levels.Wetsuit: A Convertible wetsuit with long legs and short arms is recommended in winter, and a shortie in summer. Booties: Optional.
Best Suited To
- Beginners and improvers in the mornings and at low tide.
- Freeriders.
- Bump and jump sailors.
- Slalom.
- Freestyle.
- First time wave sailors.
- Intermediate and advanced wave sailors.
- Professional level wave sailors.
Best gear to use
The wide variety of conditions experienced at El Medano mean that many types of equipment are suitable, depending on the requirements of the sailor, from high wind low volume wave boards to large slalom boards and wide beginner boards. However, the most used equipment sizes are listed below:
- Most popular board size:
90 – 106 L. - Most popular sail size:
4.7 – 5.3 M.
WIND:The prevailing wind in El Medano is the north-east trade wind that is at its strongest in July and August. It is the most likely wind when sunny and stable conditions prevail over the Canary Islands.
However, when there are low pressure areas around the islands, the flow of air which generates the north-east trade winds can be disturbed, and winds can blow from the other quadrants. When this happens, El Medano will experience winds from the south-east (onshore) and south-west (side-shore and cross-off), or from the west (offshore), which are generally less strong than the trade winds at no more than 20 knots.
North-East WindThis is the most common wind direction in El Médano that is windsurfed 90% of the time, and is side-onshore from the left. There is a further acceleration of this wind due to mount Teide. Some of the air that hits Mount Teide goes over the mountain, but the vast majority will be compressed and accelerates around it. This results in at least a five knot higher wind speed in El Médano compared to that found in the north of the island. However, as El Medano expands in its development, every additional building makes the wind near the shore a little bit more gusty and unreliable. Nevertheless, once you get out about 30-50 metres you will get pretty constant winds with smooth ocean waves.
West Wind
It is pretty rare that a westerly wind blows at El Medano. With this direction the wind blows offshore at South Bay and El Cabezo Bay. The westerly wind is partially disturbed in South Bay by Montana Roja which makes the wind gusty. It does however provide flat conditions ideal for slalom sailing and freestyle. This is much better than El Cabezo Bay, because the buildings of El Medano town stop the wind entering the bay which therefore becomes more or less un-sailable.One benefit with a westerly wind in South Bay is that if there happens to be a south swell running (typically after a storm) there will be long and tidy waves rolling into the bay, providing clean side-shore wave sailing conditions. When this happens South Bay can become busy with lots of windsurfers, kitesurfers and surfers all in the one spot.
South Wind
A south-westerly wind again is rare, but gusty due to Montana Roja. The water will be flat and the wind cross to cross-onshore at the launch spot in South Bay. It is therefore ideal for freestyle.
If there is a south swell coinciding with south-westerly winds however, then there can be up to mast high waves that provide long runs with up to six frontside turns. Providing the waves are not too big, they are ideal for wave sailing beginners, as long as the shore break is not too big. When there is a south swell, the waves will be even bigger at El Cabezo Bay. The wind will be the least gusty at the Harbour Wall which can work well in a south-westerly which is side shore form the right.
A south to south-easterly wind will provide cross-onshore to onshore winds, and with a southerly swell can also bring big waves into El Medano.
North Wind
If the wind comes from the north, both the bays in El Medano are sheltered by Mount Teide directly to the north, and there is therefore calm and no sailing.
Sailing Centres
Windsurfing Centres
The windsurf centres are located at South Beach (Playa Sur), five minutes' walk away along a wooden boardwalk from the centre of town, the hotels and apartments. They are more or less next door to one another at the sandy beach launch location which is particularly convenient.
- Services Overview:
- Premium Gear Rentals
- Beginners Gear Rentals
- Kids Gear Rentals
- Walk-Up Rentals
- Hourly Rentals
- Adults Lessons
- Kids Lessons
- Safety Observers
- Rescue Craft
- Windsurfer Storage
- Kitesurfer Storage
Location of centre:- Walk from accommodation
- Beachfront
Facilites:- Showers
- Changing Rooms
- Lockers
- wifi
- Retail Shop
- Equipment Washing
Other equipment for rent:- SUPs
- Surf Boards
The Duotone Pro Centre was opened in November 2018 in conjunction with Tenerife Windsurf Solutions. It is the most recent windsurf centre to open. It is situated at South Beach (Playa Sur) in front of the 100m long sandy windsurfing launch beach. The centre offers over 70 storage lockers, equipment rinsing and washing area, showers, changing area, toilets, a shop Read more... - Ocean Calling Tenerife is located on the same 100m long stretch of sandy beach front as the other windsurfing centres on South Beach (playa Sur). It is a test centre for the RRD brand of boards and sails. Spanish, English, German and Russian are spoken. Opening Times: • Open every day from 10am until 6pm Services: • Rental • Lessons Read more...
- Services Overview:
- Premium Gear Rentals
Surf Centre Playa Sur is located on the edge of the grounds of Hotel Playa Sur Tenerife at the southern end of the windsurfing launching spot beside where the kiters launch. It is a family owned business that has been open almost forty years. Its guests can use some of the facilities of the Hotel Playa Sur. The staff speak Read more... - Services Overview:
- Premium Gear Rentals
- Adults Lessons
- Kids Lessons
Location of centre:- Beachfront
Facilites:- Showers
Other equipment for rent:- SUPs
- Surf Boards
Tenerife Windsurfing Solutions is located on the 100m long sandy windsurfing launching spot at South Beach (Playa Sur). It markets itself as a test and demo centre, because it provides so many different brands of equipment to use. It is also the only centre providing full race equipment, although this is during the winter months only. It is also unique Read more...
Kitesurfing Centres
- Services Overview:
- Premium Gear Rentals
- Beginners Gear Rentals
- Kids Gear Rentals
- Walk-Up Rentals
- Hourly Rentals
- Adults Lessons
- Kids Lessons
- Safety Observers
- Rescue Craft
- Windsurfer Storage
- Kitesurfer Storage
Location of centre:- Walk from accommodation
- Beachfront
Facilites:- Showers
- Changing Rooms
- Lockers
- wifi
- Retail Shop
- Equipment Washing
Other equipment for rent:- SUPs
- Surf Boards
The Duotone Pro Centre was opened in November 2018 in conjunction with Tenerife Windsurf Solutions. It is the most recent windsurf centre to open. It is situated at South Beach (Playa Sur) in front of the 100m long sandy windsurfing launch beach. The centre offers over 70 storage lockers, equipment rinsing and washing area, showers, changing area, toilets, a shop Read more... - Services Overview:
- Premium Gear Rentals
- Safety Observers
Other equipment for rent:- SUPs
- Surf Boards
Kite Centre Playa Sur is located on the edge of the grounds of Hotel Playa Sur Tenerife at the southern end of the windsurfing launching spot beside where the kiters launch. It is a family owned business that has been open almost forty years since it began as a windsurfing centre. Its guests can use some of the facilities of Read more... - Ocean Calling Tenerife is located on the same 100m long stretch of sandy beach front as the other windsurfing centres on South Beach (playa Sur). It is a test centre for the RRD brand of boards and sails. Spanish, English, German and Russian are spoken. Opening Times: • Open every day from 10am until 6pm Services: • Rental • Lessons Read more...
- Services Overview:
- Premium Gear Rentals
- Adults Lessons
Sunset Kite Centre is located in the town rather than at the beach. However, they conduct their lessons at the kite launching beach at South Beach in the same area as the other kite schools. They also specialise in conducting surfing courses. The centre is also a Cabrinha board and kite test centre. Opening Times: Open 7 days a week Read more... - Services Overview:
- Premium Gear Rentals
Surf Centre Playa Sur is located on the edge of the grounds of Hotel Playa Sur Tenerife at the southern end of the windsurfing launching spot beside where the kiters launch. It is a family owned business that has been open almost forty years. Its guests can use some of the facilities of the Hotel Playa Sur. The staff speak Read more...
El Medano Accommodation
El Medano has plenty of accommodation located within five to ten minutes walks of the windsurfing centres at South Beach.
The large resorts of Playa de Las Americas are 20km away for those that want a busier nightlife than that found in El Medano. These are the large resorts favoured by the European package holiday companies.
Featured Accommodation
- Beach Access:
- Beach-front
Room Types:- Single
- Twin
- Double
Property Facilities:- Restaurant(s)
- Bar(s)
Hotel El Medano is an Art Deco looking building built out over the water and the back of the building resembles an ocean liner. Rooms cater for 1 – 2 guests and have satellite TV, private bathroom (with a bath) and private balcony. The hotel features a sun terrace overlooking the ocean with sun lounges and deck chairs. Breakfast is Read more... - Star Rating:
- 3-star
Beach Access:- Beach-front
Room Types:- Single
- Twin
- Double
Room Facilities:- Private Bathroom
- Balcony or Terrace
- Views
- Non-Smoking
Property Facilities:- Child Friendly
- Restaurant(s)
- Bar(s)
- Outdoor Pool
- Communal Lounge Area
- Car Parking
Hotel Playa Sur is located on the beach at El Medano. Rooms are simple (accommodating single/twin/doubles) with pine furniture and all have a balcony with sea view. Facilities include an outdoor pool with sun terrace, bike & surfboard storage and a sauna (costs extra). There is a restaurant & poolside bar, massage services are available for an extra cost. Free Read more...
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- NE
- Advanced Wave Sailing
The prevailing wind in El Medano is the north-east trade wind that is at its strongest in July and August. It is the most likely wind when sunny and stable conditions prevail over the Canary Islands.
However, when there are low pressure areas around the islands, the flow of air which generates the north-east trade winds can be disturbed, and winds can blow from the other quadrants. When this happens, El Medano will experience winds from the south-east (onshore) and south-west (side-shore and cross-off), or from the west (offshore), which are generally less strong than the trade winds at no more than 20 knots.
North-East Wind
This is the most common wind direction in El Médano that is windsurfed 90% of the time, and is side-onshore from the left. There is a further acceleration of this wind due to mount Teide. Some of the air that hits Mount Teide goes over the mountain, but the vast majority will be compressed and accelerates around it. This results in at least a five knot higher wind speed in El Médano compared to that found in the north of the island. However, as El Medano expands in its development, every additional building makes the wind near the shore a little bit more gusty and unreliable. Nevertheless, once you get out about 30-50 metres you will get pretty constant winds with smooth ocean waves.
West Wind
It is pretty rare that a westerly wind blows at El Medano. With this direction the wind blows offshore at South Bay and El Cabezo Bay. The westerly wind is partially disturbed in South Bay by Montana Roja which makes the wind gusty. It does however provide flat conditions ideal for slalom sailing and freestyle. This is much better than El Cabezo Bay, because the buildings of El Medano town stop the wind entering the bay which therefore becomes more or less un-sailable.
One benefit with a westerly wind in South Bay is that if there happens to be a south swell running (typically after a storm) there will be long and tidy waves rolling into the bay, providing clean side-shore wave sailing conditions. When this happens South Bay can become busy with lots of windsurfers, kitesurfers and surfers all in the one spot.
South Wind
A south-westerly wind again is rare, but gusty due to Montana Roja. The water will be flat and the wind cross to cross-onshore at the launch spot in South Bay. It is therefore ideal for freestyle.
If there is a south swell coinciding with south-westerly winds however, then there can be up to mast high waves that provide long runs with up to six frontside turns. Providing the waves are not too big, they are ideal for wave sailing beginners, as long as the shore break is not too big. When there is a south swell, the waves will be even bigger at El Cabezo Bay. The wind will be the least gusty at the Harbour Wall which can work well in a south-westerly which is side shore form the right.
A south to south-easterly wind will provide cross-onshore to onshore winds, and with a southerly swell can also bring big waves into El Medano.
North Wind
If the wind comes from the north, both the bays in El Medano are sheltered by Mount Teide directly to the north, and there is therefore calm and no sailing.
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El Médano
Tenerife
38612
Spain
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