Kitesurfing Famara

Wind & Conditions

Five-kilometre sandy beach on Lanzarote's NW coast, backed by the 400 m Risco de Famara cliffs; the N-NE Alisios trade wind is channelled and accelerated by the cliff face, delivering cross-onshore conditions. No reef — sandy bottom — wind pushes riders back to shore. Best April–September.

About Famara

Famara sits on the northwest corner of Lanzarote, one of the Canary Islands' most striking natural frames for kitesurfing. A five-kilometre stretch of sand runs along the base of the Risco de Famara — a cliff wall rising 400 metres above the beach — creating a backdrop that's as dramatic as the riding conditions it helps produce. The village of Famara is small and low-key. You'll find parking near the beach access points, and the wide sandy shore gives you room to rig and sort your lines without feeling cramped. The sandy bottom extends offshore — there's no reef here, which keeps things straightforward both underfoot and on your lines. The wind at Famara is the N-NE Alisios trade wind, the same system that makes the Canaries a reliable destination from late spring through summer. The cliff face channels and accelerates the flow as it arrives from the north and northeast, delivering cross-onshore conditions across most of the beach. What that means in practice: the wind is angled into the shore enough that it pushes you back toward the beach if you lose your kite or drop your board. For kite riders, that's a meaningful safety margin. The usable kite window runs from 315° through to 135° — a wide arc centred on the prevailing NW–NE quadrant. Close to the shore, the acceleration effect off the cliffs means the flow can be more nuanced than at open-water spots. Expect conditions to smooth out as you move away from the cliff shadow, and pay attention to gusts on the beach during launch. Once you're out on the water, the cross-onshore angle gives you a good working sheet of water to play with. The best season runs April through September, when the Alisios is most reliable. Outside that window the wind is less consistent and conditions more variable. Famara has solid infrastructure for kite riders. Three kite schools operate in the area: Alohayolas Surfschool, Kite Coach Lanzarote, and Maëva Surf & Kitesurf School — whether you're learning or want a local guide session on unfamiliar water. Accommodation ranges from the surf-camp-style Red Star Surf & Yoga Camp and Oceánic Famara Surf House - Lanzarote to simpler self-catering options like Apartamentos Famara, Famara Cottage, and Casa Famaraíso, and higher-end villas through Casa Sua Lanzarote - Luxury Villas. After a session, El Chiringuito on the beach is the obvious first stop. Famara isn't a glossy resort beach — it's quieter, windswept, and better for it. If you're after consistent trade wind kitesurfing with a dramatic cliff backdrop and enough school support for a mixed-ability group, this spot earns its reputation.

Best Season

Check the Breeza app for the current rideable window at Famara.

World Ranking

Not globally ranked, but a kitesurf destination — a local favourite worth a check when the wind lines up.

Location

Famara, Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain, Spain

Lat: 29.12, Lon: -13.54