Windsurfing
Tenerife can offer one of the best all round holidays: 360 days of sunshine a year and 260 days of wind.
The original fishing village and windsurfing hotspot of El Medano has developed in an ad hoc manner in a style of its own, completely different to the commercial resorts to the west. From the pleasant town square you can walk along the beach or into the typical narrow streets.
There are many bars and restaurants to choose from and the atmosphere is very multi-national.
The Spot
North bay
Closest to the Windsurf Centre is a large area of non-breaking swell, ideal for bump and jump sailing.
A little downwind is the beach of El Cabezo with cross onshore wind and waves normally 1 - 2 meters, occasionally 3m+ on big days. This is the world cup venue and the standard of windsurfing here is very high. Expect to see all the latest manoeuvers.
If the conditions are right there can be perfect cross shore and good waves off the harbor wall at El Molle. The launch varies depending on the state of the tide. At low tide it is all sandy, at high, a mixture of sand and rocks.
To sail in the north bay you should be able to waterstart although, except in rare extreme conditions, it is not difficult.
South Bay
More moderate sailing and shorebreak with a cross shore wind and average swells of 1 metre (max 2 metres). The launch here is sandy slowly shelving to deep water. Sailing outside of the bay is not advisable due to strong currents and swells.
The Wind
El Medano gets the benefit of the NE trade winds which are accelerated by the proximity of Mount Teide.
It is lucky enough to have wind all the year round with the most in the Summer months. As with all the Canaries, the waves are likely to be best in spring and autumn.
The condition in Tenerife is really for the intermediate to advanced and especially good for those that enjoy bump and jump as well as waves.
The average level is pretty high; you can expect to see some of the top amateur riders sailing here.
Kitesurfing
El Medano is not the best of places for kitesurfing. A small launch area, wind conditions and the proximity of rocks at the end of the bay, coupled with a large number of windsurfers on the water on high wind days make El Cabezo bay suitable for experienced kiters only.
The south bay with its longer beach is a better area for less experienced kiters, but with lots of holidaymakers using the same beach this is still not ideal. However, there are local centres offering instruction.
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