Bajamar Surf Guide – All You Need To Know
There are two sides to Tenerife. The south is the place to be if you want to learn, or want some decent reef breaks in more built-up, tourist-friendly areas. The north, meanwhile, has big cliffs and big reefs, and gets the full hit of the NW Atlantic swells.
For that reason, I rank all of the northern spots on this island as mainly intermediate+ places. Bajamar is chief among them. It’s perfect for the surfer who’s a bit beyond the usual beginner, ready to graduate to reefs, and doesn’t mind surfing on stone.
Some days, it’s solely for the pro, mind, when the huge low pressures hit. It can be like Hawaii North Shore midwinter. But that’s rare. Most of the time it’s okay for multiple levels, with good consistency throughout a long season (typically Nov-March).
It’s also very pretty to look at. Well…at least if you like soaring cliffs of black stones and inky oceans. Hotels cluster right atop the cliffs, within walking access of both surf and some nice Canarian restaurants. It’s a good spot for a few days.
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Read more about surfing in Tenerife and the Canary Islands
Where is Bajamar?
Bajamar sits on the wild north coast of Tenerife, right at the foot of the Anaga Mountains. It’s part of the San Cristóbal de La Laguna municipality, around a 25-minute drive from the airport and about the same from the island’s main city, Santa Cruz.
The town itself is a quiet, salt-stained place that looks straight out over the Atlantic, known mostly for its natural seawater pools and the rugged coastal scenery.
Unlike the southern resorts (Playa de Las Americas and El Medano), there’s no strip of golden sand here – it’s all volcanic rock shelves and basalt reefs, backed by green hills and sleepy Canarian homes.
The surf in Bajamar
The surf in Bajamar focuses around El Arenal, a sprawling cobblestone reef setup that stretches along the town’s coastal front. This one’s a bit of a playground for those who can handle themselves over rock – there are multiple peaks along the reef, each reacting differently depending on the tide and swell direction.
The southern side is where you’ll find the longest rides, usually a classy left-hander that runs fast and clean when there’s a good NW swell pushing in. It’s not the easiest take off, but it rewards patience with long, wrapping walls and some potential barrel sections when the tide and wind line up.
A little further north, a punchier A-frame comes to life on bigger tides, offering steep, bowly take-offs and short, powerful walls. It’s heavier and hollower, better for intermediates and up.
Be mindful that El Arenal’s cobblestone bottom and the shifting currents make it tricky for beginners. There are not many official surf schools here, so most visitors who paddle out should know what they’re getting into.
El Charo is another spot just to the west of Arenal’s main bay. It’s more of a classic reef, sucking in pretty much all the NW swell. More advanced there, longer rides.
When to surf in Bajamar?
Winter is the prime time for Bajamar. From November to March, the North Atlantic lights up with powerful groundswells that wrap into Tenerife’s northern coast. The prevailing NE trades tend to mellow this side of the island, keeping conditions more glassy than you’d expect. Those same swells feed El Arenal with consistent shoulder- to overhead-high surf, making it one of the go-tos for intermediates and advanced riders during the cooler months.
Summer, by contrast, is calmer – mainly short-period wind swells and smaller waves. That can be great news if you’re still learning, though Bajamar itself isn’t ideal for total beginners (I’d reccomend a surf camp in Playa de las Americas instead).
Where to stay in Bajamar?
Personally, I mainly go for self-catering cottages and flats when I surf in the Canaries and it’s no different in Bajamar. In fact, Bajamar is just about perfect for that sort of thing…
- Waves Nest – Bajamar – This is such a nice spot. It’s like RIGHT on top of the main wave in El Arenal. Really nicely done out. Great views. Perfect surf pad if you ask me.
- Hola ola Bajamar – Another really cool spot. The balcony sits like 2m from the high tide line. Awesome sunset views and access to a swimming pool sweeten the deal.
