Famara - Playa Famara
Spain
Famara
Playa Famara is a 6-kilometer long golden sand beach located on the northern coast of Lanzarote, in the Canary Islands. It is one of the most recognized kitesurfing spots in the world, regularly chosen to host international competitions such as the Kiteboarding World Tour and the Spanish championships.
The beach offers an ideal setting for all levels, from beginners to experienced riders. Its generous expanse, stable wind conditions, and Atlantic waves make it a must-visit destination for kitesurfing and wing foiling enthusiasts.
Les données de vent affichées ici proviennent d’ERA5 (via Open-Meteo) sur 4 ans, retraitées pour refléter des conditions réalistes.
👉 Le vent moyen a été calibré pour éviter la sous-estimation habituelle des modèles.
👉 Les rafales ont été corrigées par un ratio médian afin d’éviter des valeurs extrêmes irréalistes.
👉 Chaque jour est résumé par le vent médian (P50) observé pendant les heures utiles (8h–20h), puis classé dans des plages de vent.
👉 Le mode pondéré mélange vent moyen et rafales pour refléter au mieux le vent ressenti.
- 🟢 10–16 nds : vent faible mais navigable (notamment en foil).
- 🟡 16–22 nds : plage idéale, conditions confortables pour la majorité.
- 🔴 22–28 nds : vent fort, réservé aux riders expérimentés.
- 🟣 28+ nds : conditions extrêmes, navigation engagée.
Localisation & Points d'intérêt
Informations utiles
wave
flatFamara benefits from dominant northeast winds blowing side-onshore, which means the wind pushes towards the beach. This is a major safety feature for beginners: if you let go, the wind naturally brings you back to shore.
The beach experiences significant variations depending on the tides. At low tide, the beach widens to about 50 meters with flat and shallow water (above the knee) ideal for freestyle and first attempts. Waves form outside, breaking left and right. At high tide, the waves become higher and the beach significantly reduces. The tidal difference reaches about 2 meters, creating very variable conditions depending on the tide cycle.
It is important to note that at high tide, the beach almost completely disappears and rocks become exposed. Launching and landing become very difficult during the hour before and after high tide. Experienced and local riders can launch in the area of bushes and stone windbreaks directly in front of the parking lot, but this is a dangerous area reserved for experts.
The bottom is sandy and conditions change throughout the tide cycle to offer a variety of riding styles. Return currents are very strong and require special attention.
The ideal conditions at Famara occur with northeast to east winds blowing side-onshore. These winds offer stability and safety, particularly for beginners.
The best period is from May to September, when the trade winds are at their peak and most consistent. However, the wind remains excellent year-round, allowing for kiting practically every day.
The optimal conditions combine a northeast to east wind with a north-northwest swell and mid-high tide. At low tide, conditions are more forgiving for beginners with flat and shallow water, while at mid-high tide, conditions suit all levels.
The water surface at Famara is characterized by regular Atlantic waves breaking left and right on the beach. In winter, the swells are larger with waves reaching up to 3 meters, while in summer the conditions are generally flatter with days without swell.
The best swell direction comes from the north-northwest. At low tide, the waves are lower but steeper, while at high tide they become higher and more powerful. Conditions are good at all stages of the tide, but vary significantly depending on the cycle.
In summer, the waves are smaller and less regular, which can even create very flat days. However, days of big swell remain frequent and are enough to satisfy riders looking for unhooked waves.
Famara experiences significant tidal variations with a difference of about 2 meters between low and high tide. These variations considerably change the navigation conditions.
The return currents are very strong and are a major factor to consider. At low tide, you can stand up to about 50 meters from the shore, while at high tide, the depth increases rapidly. The optimal conditions for sailing are generally at mid-high tide, where there is both sufficient depth and beach space.
The recommended kite sizes vary depending on the wind conditions. With the regular and strong trade winds of Famara, riders typically use kites ranging from 7 to 11 meters.
For beginners and on moderate wind days, a kite of 9 to 11 meters is ideal. For intermediate and experienced riders, a kite of 7 to 9 meters is better suited for strong wind days. The very stable conditions allow for predictable use of medium-sized kites year-round.
The wind regime at Famara is dominated by northeast trade winds, stable trade winds that blow very consistently. These winds are particularly steady and strong, which is why Famara is considered a kitesurfing paradise.
The wind blows side-onshore, meaning slightly towards the beach, creating safe and predictable conditions. The windiest and most reliable months are May to September, when the trade winds are at their peak. However, the wind remains very consistent year-round, allowing for kiting practically 365 days a year.
Lanzarote enjoys a stable subtropical climate with pleasant temperatures year-round. Conditions are generally sunny and dry, typical of the Canary Islands.
The water temperature ranges between 19 and 22°C depending on the season. In winter, the water is cooler (around 19°C) while in summer it reaches 22°C. A light wetsuit is recommended year-round.
La profondeur à Famara varie considérablement selon la marée. À marée basse, la plage s'élargit à environ 50 mètres et on a pied jusqu'à une profondeur au-dessus du genou pendant une grande partie de cette zone. Le fond est sableux, ce qui offre une surface agréable et sûre pour les débutants.
À marée haute, la profondeur augmente rapidement et la plage se réduit drastiquement. La différence de marée atteint environ 2 mètres, ce qui crée des variations importantes. Les conditions optimales pour naviguer se situent généralement à marée mi-haute, où l'on bénéficie à la fois de profondeur suffisante et d'espace de plage.
The water temperature at Famara varies slightly depending on the season. In winter (November to March), the water is cooler with a temperature of about 19°C. In summer (June to September), the water warms up to about 22°C.
A light wetsuit is recommended year-round. In winter, a 3/2 mm or 4/3 mm wetsuit provides sufficient protection. In summer, a 2/1 mm wetsuit or even a rashguard may suffice depending on your sensitivity to cold.