El Médano
The windiest town on Tenerife. The NE trades bend around the island and squeeze through the south-east corner, so El Médano blows when the rest of the island is calm.
Working wind (blowing from)
Season
Typical wind
16–28 knWater
Chop, wavesLevel
Intermediate+Directions
28.0455, -16.5365Wind
The NE trade wind (alisio) is the engine. It's accelerated by the island's shape and blows side-shore along the beach, slightly onshore at times, typically 16–28 kn from late spring through summer, with June to August as the most reliable stretch. In winter it's more hit and miss, and southerly fronts occasionally bring onshore storm days. It is often stronger and gustier than the forecast suggests, so check the Cabezo station before you rig.
Water & level
Chop over a sandy, gradually deepening bottom on the kite side, and Atlantic swell rolling in further out. The El Cabezo reef at the north end of town is the wave spot and belongs to experienced windsurfers and kiters. Not ideal for first lessons on strong days. Schools use boats and pick their windows.
Launch & rules
Kiting happens in the marked kite zone on Playa Leocadio Machado, between town and Montaña Roja. Buoys separate kiters, windsurfers and swimmers, and the town beach is off-limits. Respect the zone and launch where the locals launch.
Watch out
Gusts and acceleration on the strongest days, strong drift away from the coast if you lose your kite, and rocky patches near El Cabezo. Water is 19–23°C, so a 3/2 is enough most of the year.
Live wind
Live readings come straight from the station owners via the embedded widgets. Stations go offline sometimes; if a reading looks frozen, check the time stamp.
Forecast
Open on Windguru ↗Wind map
Conditions, rules and access change. Always check on the beach, ask local schools and ride within your level.
