Named Kite Spots
Main Beach, La Jaquita, and Los Abrigos Downwinder
Playa El Médano (Main Beach)
All LevelsThe long main beach in front of the village — 1.5km of sandy Atlantic shore with consistent side-onshore Alisio trade winds. The beach is divided into zones: the northern end (toward Roque de Jama volcanic rock) is designated for kitesurfing; the central section is mixed; the southern end is swimmers and walkers. All the schools are based on the northern kite zone. Flat-to-choppy surface; wave breaks only on swell events. The go-to for beginners, intermediate riders, and the daily kite community.
Hazards: Kiter density in peak summer; Roque de Jama volcanic rock at the northern end — respect the exclusion zone; downwind drift from school launches; designated zones enforced in peak season
Access: Village beach — walk from accommodation. Schools are based on the northern section. Parking along the beachfront road.
Playa La Jaquita
IntermediateCoordinates pending: local verification required
A secondary beach 1km north of the main El Médano beach, past the Roque de Jama headland. Less populated than El Médano main, with a different wind angle — slightly more cross-shore. Good when the main beach is crowded or when the wind angle suits a more upwind run. Used by experienced local riders and foilers who want more space. Less school infrastructure; intermediate+ territory.
Hazards: More remote than main beach; rocks near Roque de Jama; check wind angle before committing — can be gustier than El Médano proper
Access: Walk 15 min north along the coast from El Médano village, or drive the coast road. No school presence.
Playa de Los Abrigos
IntermediateCoordinates pending: local verification required
A small fishing village 5km east of El Médano with a sheltered harbour cove. Not a primary kite spot but used for downwinder landings and by foilers looking for calmer launch in lighter conditions. The village is known as one of Tenerife's best seafood destinations — arrival by kite or foil is a legitimate excuse for a lunch stop.
Hazards: Fishing boat traffic in and out of the harbour; harbour walls; check boat movements before approaching
Access: Downwinder destination from El Médano main beach (5km east). Return by taxi or car.
Montaña Roja Natural Reserve (Downwind of Médano)
Intermediate+Coordinates pending: local verification required
The volcanic red mountain (Montaña Roja) and the beach extending south from El Médano is a protected natural reserve. On strong trade days, riders can downwind from the main beach toward Montaña Roja — the landscape shifts from the village beach to wild, undeveloped dunes and volcanic rock. The reserve boundary prevents kite access in certain sections — know where you can land before attempting this run.
Hazards: Protected reserve boundaries; rocks near Montaña Roja base; return transport required — arrange before launching
Access: Downwinder from El Médano main beach. The reserve access road is accessible from TF-643 south of the village.
Wind & Conditions
Alisio Trade Wind: April to October
| Month | Wind | Windy Days | Water Temp | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 10–18 kts | 40% | 19°C | Winter; light Alisio; warmer than mainland; shoulder season |
| Feb | 10–18 kts | 40% | 19°C | Winter; improving slowly; off-peak season |
| Mar | 12–20 kts | 48% | 19°C | Spring transition; Alisio strengthening; early season |
| Apr | 15–22 kts | 60% | 20°C | Season opens; consistent trades; good conditions begin |
| May | 18–26 kts | 68% | 21°C | Strong Alisio establishing; very good season; pre-peak |
| JunPEAK | 20–30 kts | 78% | 22°C | PEAK — excellent; most consistent month; European visitors arrive |
| JulPEAK | 22–32 kts | 82% | 22°C | PEAK — strongest trades; best for advanced; very crowded |
| AugPEAK | 20–30 kts | 80% | 23°C | PEAK continues; still excellent; summer peak for European visitors |
| Sep | 18–28 kts | 72% | 23°C | Very good; season tapering slightly; still reliable |
| Oct | 15–22 kts | 60% | 22°C | Good autumn; consistent; fewer European tourists; best value |
| Nov | 12–18 kts | 45% | 21°C | Dropping off; approaching winter; intermittent |
| Dec | 10–16 kts | 38% | 20°C | Winter; variable; not kite season |
Kite Size Guide
Schools & Camps
IKO Schools on the Sand
Surf & Kite El Médano
Cabrinha / North / DuotoneOne of the longest-established schools on the El Médano beach — IKO certified, full equipment fleet across brands, and an instructor team with years of seasonal experience in El Médano's specific conditions. The well-organized school that first-timers gravitate toward. Accommodation referrals available.
KTP Pick: Multi-brand fleet across Cabrinha, North, and Duotone — best equipment selection on the beach for demo and lesson riders.
Kite&Bike El Médano
North KitesNorth Kites flagship partner on the island — structured IKO instruction with current-season North equipment. The school is connected to the village community in a way that makes it genuinely social. Wing foil instruction also available — El Médano is one of the better wing foil learning environments in the Canaries due to the consistent side-onshore wind angle.
KTP Pick: Official North Kites partner with current-season gear and wing foil instruction — the best wing progression option in Tenerife.
ION CLUB El Médano
ION / multi-brandPart of the ION CLUB international chain — standardized IKO instruction, professional equipment fleet, and a familiar format for riders who have trained at other ION CLUB locations globally. The chain structure means consistent service standards and easy gear upgrade paths for returning students.
KTP Pick: Global chain quality standards with local Tenerife conditions knowledge — recognizable for ION CLUB members from other destinations.
Beyond the Kite
Teide, Dolphins, and the Los Abrigos Downwinder
Mount Teide (UNESCO World Heritage)
NatureThe highest peak in Spain (3,715m) and one of the world's largest volcanoes. From El Médano, the drive to the base is 1 hour. Cable car to 3,555m (book in advance; sells out). The lunar landscape of Teide National Park is as dramatic as the kite conditions are consistent. The definitive no-wind day for a Tenerife kite trip.
Whale & Dolphin Watching (Year-Round)
WildlifeThe channel between Tenerife and La Gomera has a resident population of pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins — one of the few places in the world with truly year-round cetacean encounters rather than seasonal migration. Boat tours run daily from Los Cristianos and Costa Adeje (~30 min from El Médano). Orca sightings are increasingly reported in summer months.
Seafood Lunch at Los Abrigos (Downwinder Destination)
Food CultureLos Abrigos fishing village (5km east, downwind from El Médano) is known as the best place to eat fish and shellfish in Tenerife. The village has a row of seafood restaurants directly above the working harbour. The logical conclusion of an El Médano downwinder session: kite east to Los Abrigos, eat well, taxi back.
Masca Gorge Hiking
AdventureThe Masca gorge in northwest Tenerife — a dramatic canyon hike through volcanic rock ending at a small beach accessible only on foot or by boat. 3–4 hours down, boat exit or hike back up. The contrast between the tropical western coast and El Médano's arid wind-blown southern tip shows the full range of Tenerife's terrain.
Food & Drink
Papas Arrugadas, Limpets, and Village Bars
Signature Dishes
Restaurants
Local favourite on the El Médano seafront — fresh fish and Canarian classics in a no-frills setting. The reliable dinner after a long kite session.
The best fish and shellfish dining in Tenerife — 5km east of El Médano, accessible by downwinder or taxi. Multiple restaurants above the working harbour; all serve the daily catch.
Beachfront bar in El Médano village — the post-session meeting point. Cold beer, simple snacks, view of the kite zone. Open late in peak season.
Logistics
Fly TFS, Rent a Car, It's 20 Minutes
Tenerife South Airport (Reina Sofía)
20 minutes from El Médano by car. TFS is the gateway for most international visitors — direct routes from UK, Germany, Scandinavia, Ireland, and Netherlands. TFS is a major charter airport with better international connections than TFN (Tenerife North). Car rental at TFS terminal. Taxi from TFS to El Médano ~€20–25.
No visa required for EU, UK, US, Canada, Australia (Schengen)
Tenerife is part of Spain and the EU. Standard Schengen entry rules. EU/EEA citizens use ID card. UK, US, Canada, Australia: passport valid 3 months beyond stay; 90 days visa-free.
EUR — ATMs in village and at TFS airport
El Médano village has ATMs (Banco Santander, CaixaBank). Cards widely accepted at schools, restaurants, and accommodation. Cash useful for beach vendors and smaller local bars.
Car recommended; taxis work for Los Abrigos runs
Car rental from TFS (major chains; from ~€25/day). El Médano village is walkable. Day trips to Teide, Masca, and the rest of the island need a car. Taxis available for Los Abrigos downwinder returns (~€10). Bus services exist but are slow for island exploration.
Excellent coverage across Tenerife
Spain's full carrier network covers Tenerife with good 4G. WiFi at all accommodation. No connectivity issues at El Médano or any kite spot.
Side-onshore is forgiving; watch for Roque de Jama rocks
The side-onshore wind angle at El Médano is more forgiving than cross-offshore spots — mistakes tend to push riders toward shore rather than out to sea. Primary hazard: Roque de Jama volcanic rock at the north end of the beach. Stay in the kite zone and know where the rock is. Jellyfish occasional in late summer.
Shorty or thin full suit Apr–Oct; 3/2mm Nov–Mar
Water temperature 19–23°C — the Canary Current keeps El Médano cooler than latitude suggests. A 2mm shorty suits the peak season (Jun–Sep); thin full suit for sessions in spring/autumn. Rashguard sufficient on the warmest days (Aug–Sep) for short sessions.
KTP Edge
What Nobody Else Will Tell You
El Médano vs Pozo Izquierdo: The Tenerife Decision
These two spots are 25km apart on the same island and serve completely different rider profiles. El Médano is side-onshore, sandy, beginner-friendly, with multiple schools and a village community. Pozo is cross-offshore, rocky, advanced-only, and a competition venue. If you are any level below intermediate–advanced, the decision is El Médano without debate. If you are an advanced wave rider who has ridden cross-offshore conditions before, Pozo is worth a day trip from an El Médano base.
The Tenerife Wind vs Sun Paradox
El Médano is on the driest, sunniest part of the island (the southern tip) — but the same factors that make it sunny (proximity to the African continental climate) also make it windiest. The northern coast of Tenerife is wetter and cloudier but has Teide and the dramatic landscape. Most international visitors to Tenerife go to Los Cristianos and Costa Adeje (resort corridor 10km from El Médano). The kite community in El Médano is the anti-resort: smaller, more European kite-culture, and with a genuinely local Canarian character that the resort zones have lost.
Upcoming Trips
Book a guided experience at this spot
See all trips →From the Community
Kiter Stories
No stories yet for this spot.
Be the first to share yours