Overview

Playa de Famara is THE kitesurfing spot of Lanzarote and one of the best in the Canary Islands. A stunning 5km+ sandy beach at the northwest coast, overlooked by the spectacular 400m Risco de Famara cliffs, with views toward La Graciosa island.

The NE trade wind is channelled along the cliff face and accelerated onto the beach, blowing cross-onshore. Conditions range from flat to proper waves depending on swell and tide. The beach is zoned — kitesurfing area at the northeast end, surfing at the southwest.

With no rocks, no reef, just endless sandy beach, and wind/currents that push you back to shore, Famara is exceptionally safe for all levels. Multiple kite schools operate here. The small surf town of Caleta de Famara has restaurants, shops, and accommodation right at the beach.

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Spot forecast for Playa Famara / Lanzarote

Sunrise 07:58 · Sunset 19:19

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< 7 kn7–12 kn13–20 kn21–30 kn31–40 kn41+ kn Gusts Your minimum: 7 kn

Next tides

High tide Tue 20 · 10:11 · 1.9 m
Low tide Tue 20 · 16:37 · 1 m
High tide Tue 20 · 22:55 · 1.9 m
Low tide Wed 21 · 04:43 · 1 m

Forecasts provided by Open-Meteo

Playa Famara / Lanzarote: when to go?

Rideable days and hours computed for a minimum wind of 7 knots · log in to set your own (foil, twin-tip…)

Season · peak

438h

in July · 30.5 rideable days

The season runs from April to September, peaking in July: 29 rideable days a month and 438 hours of usable wind, at 22 °C. The low point is March, at 18 days.

Rideable days per month

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 47%13-20 knots · 52%21-30 knots · 1%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 13 and 20 knots — 52% of rideable hours. That is the most versatile range, where most kites work. The coldest month is March, at 19 °C. The wettest month is December, with 35 mm.

Monthly averages: Playa Famara / Lanzarote

Monthly averages — Playa Famara / Lanzarote — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
Month	Rideable days	Usable wind	Temperature	Rain
January	21.5	185 h	21 °C	5 mm
February	22.0	231 h	20 °C	5 mm
March	18.0	193 h	19 °C	32 mm
April	25.5	302 h	20 °C	25 mm
May	29.0	408 h	20 °C	12 mm
June	29.5	444 h	21 °C	8 mm
July	30.5	438 h	23 °C	5 mm
August	30.0	429 h	24 °C	5 mm
September	27.0	369 h	24 °C	4 mm
October	24.5	280 h	23 °C	17 mm
November	22.0	200 h	23 °C	20 mm
December	19.5	203 h	20 °C	35 mm

Photo gallery of Playa Famara / Lanzarote

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Technical details of Playa Famara / Lanzarote spot

The spot works with winds from N, NNE, NE, NNW.

Depending on conditions: ENE, S, SSW, SW.

RideableDepending on conditions Not rideable

Local association recommendations

Multiple kite schools in Caleta de Famara: Kite School Lanzarote, Surf & Kite Caleta, Red Star Surf & Kite, and more. Full range of lessons, camps, and rental.

Spot functioning

Launch from the vast sandy beach. Conditions change dramatically with tides:

Low tide: wide beach, shallower water, steeper waves, easier for beginners.

High tide: narrow beach, deeper water, softer/bigger waves, more advanced.

Beginners: multiple schools, safe sandy environment, onshore wind. Best at low tide.

Wave riders: sandy beach breaks, especially good with NW swell. Long rides possible.

Freestyle/Freeride: flat sections available between sets, especially in summer with less swell.

Spot opening date · Required level

Spot opening date: Open all year round
Year-round. Best wind: May–September. Best waves: October–March. Famara International Kite Festival held annually.
Required level: Beginner

On the water

Sandy beach break, waves 0.5–2m+ depending on swell and tide. No rocks, no reef in the main zone. Water 18–22°C. 3/2mm shorty in summer, 4/3mm in winter.

Parking

Famara is on the northwest coast of Lanzarote. From Arrecife airport (ACE): ~30 min drive via LZ-2, LZ-20, LZ-402. Taxi ~€40 each way. Car rental ~€70/week recommended.

Free parking at the beach, the kite zone is at the northeast end of the beach (furthest from the village).

Bus service from Arrecife (line 20), but limited especially weekends.

Wind specificities

NE trade wind (Los Alisios) is channelled along the Risco de Famara cliff and accelerated onto the beach, blowing cross-onshore to side-shore.

Wind strength: 10–25 knots, averaging ~20 in summer. Kite sizes 8–12m. The cliff creates a venturi acceleration effect.

Best season: May to September (summer trade winds, most consistent). Wind also occurs in spring and winter but less reliably. Waves are biggest October–March from NW/W swells.

Also works with SW wind for wave riding, especially in winter.

Hazards

Tides: the beach has a ~2m tidal range. At high tide, the beach nearly disappears and launching becomes difficult. Best at low to mid tide.

Shorebreak: beach break waves, especially with bigger swell. Can catch beginners off guard.

North end: more stones and rocks in the water — experienced riders only.

Zoning: respect the surf/kite zones marked at beach entrances.

Overall a safe spot — sandy bottom, no reef, onshore wind pushes you back.

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Ogimet - Lanzarote / Aeropuerto (Spain)19.7 kmsource ogimet

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Schools, shops and places to stay nearby

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Playa Famara / Lanzarote kitesurf, wingfoil and windsurf spot