Canary Islands, anyone ever kited there.

Sasquatch · Since 09 Mar 2005 2103 Posts PNW Bigfoot

Anyone ever kited in the Canary Islands? If so how was it? Water temp, wave quality, wind strength and consistency? Was it worth it as it isn't exactly the easiest place to get to; especially from the US west coast.

Before you tell me to go to Maui, I would be coming from mainland Spain. Worth hauling the gear or should I just save the $?

Thanks!

Brian H · Since 08 Aug 2015 54 Posts

Why not go to morocco from Spain ? Essouria is great and an easy flight.

Ho-Toe · Mon Nov 25, 19 5:42 pm **when in Spain...**

Fwiw, one of my personal best surf trips ever was a springtime jaunt to the Basque country. If I were in Spain, I might just hang there and hope the wind comes up. Pintxos, Txakoli, interesting culture, lots of great beaches & setups, and you can ski/snowboard in the Pyrenees nearby.

Sasquatch · Since 09 Mar 2005 2103 Posts PNW Bigfoot

Brian H · Since 08 Aug 2015 54 Posts

Essouria is a wave spot , I only took my surf board and kites . We stayed at the Essouria Atlas hotel right on the beach you GF would like it . And they will pick you up in Marrakech.

Slappysan · Since 13 Jun 2012 309 Posts Obsessed

What time of year are you considering?

I did a trip to Tenerife a couple xmas' ago with my family, here's my thoughts:
- While very pleasant it's certainly not hawaii temperatures
- We stayed in El Medano and it's a very nice spot (but desert like)
- The food was very good
- The wind was a bit gusty
- The kite beach was very busy
- The main kite wave break was busy and kinda meh
- The better kite wave break is fraught with localism
- 80% of the kiter kite in the bay which is just chop
- It's a nice island and very coastal Spain feel
- Accommodation is very reasonable through airbnb

I think for kiting I'd rather do Fuertaventura though, but I don't think my family would have enjoyed Fuerta.

Link

pauls · Since 20 Jun 2005 564 Posts Northern Portugal Addicted

Canaries are UK and Western Europes Hawaii. Lots of peeps travel there for winter surf and wind. You'll probably get much more current info from UK and European kite forums or FB groups. I had good windsurfing on Fuerteventura, flat water or surf depending on where you go. Took my two young kids, they enjoyed the island. Used to be plenty of rental operations. Unless you really like lava fields mainland Spain has lots more variety not sure i'd bother adding Canaries into a trip. Cadiz - Morocco for a few days would be more interesting.

Mark · Tue Nov 26, 19 7:05 pm