Spain ยท Canary Islands
Each location is refreshed once every three hours. The hourly view, 7-day forecast, luck factor and packing notes come from the same stored update.
We compare the 7-day forecast with the version-matched historical observations available for the same time of year at El Confital. The delta shows whether conditions look better, worse or about the same as a typical late July.
We score each day of the 7-day forecast using the same algorithm as the leaderboard, and highlight the highest scorer.
Open-Meteo's Marine API (swell height, period, water temperature) and Weather API (wind and conditions).
Small waves but still worth a paddle for keen surfers. Short-period wind swell: expect weak, crumbly faces. Onshore chop spoiling the lineup.
PeakWave scores are planning signals, not safety clearance. Check local authorities, official bulletins and on-site conditions before you go. Read our editorial policy.
El Confital is a formidable, highly mechanical right-hand reef break situated on the northern edge of Las Palmas in Gran Canaria. The seafloor is composed of a very shallow, razor-sharp volcanic rock shelf that extends from the arid headland. This abrupt bathymetric ledge flawlessly intercepts north-westerly winter groundswells, forcing the wave energy to heave violently over the minimal water depth. The result is an incredibly fast, intensely hollow, cylindrical barrel that reels precisely along the reef edge. An easterly offshore wind is crucial for maintaining the steep face tension and holding the tube open. Because the water over the reef is exceptionally shallow and the wave breaks with unforgiving hydraulic force, El Confital is exclusively an advanced surfing location. There is virtually no margin for error; mistimed take-offs or slow trimming inevitably result in severe impacts with the volcanic rock. It is a highly consequential wave that demands elite spatial awareness and expert tube-riding capabilities.
Heads up: rip risk elevated, and jellyfish: peak season.
Indicators derived from forecast data, not official warnings. Always check local lifeguard or official advice.
The air here is 46% cleaner than the average comparison city right now.
Noticeably cleaner air than a typical city. Good conditions for prolonged outdoor activity.
Not a pollutant. Ozone is naturally higher at altitude and near the coast, and lower in cities where traffic exhaust breaks it down. High readings here typically indicate clean air. Can cause short-term airway irritation during intense exercise but is not linked to the long-term health risks of particulate pollution.
Additive health score: each pollutant contributes points relative to its WHO 2021 guideline and long-term health impact (PM2.5 9, NOโ 5, Oโ 3, PM10 2, SOโ 1 at WHO limits). Data via Open-Meteo. City markers show live readings. Red line marks the WHO guideline. Updated 15:12
Crystal clear water: ~22m visibility
Daily scores over the last 12 months at El Confital
Historical quality only. Safety is not reconstructed for this view.
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Create Profile โPartly. The model uses stored spot geometry, swell ranges and tide preferences where configured. It cannot see changing banks, crowds, access, closures or everything visible on a local cam, so treat it as a starting point.
The best week for surf at El Confital is the week of 16 November (score 3/5) with low crowds.
This guide was generated from conditions data. Know this spot? Submit your own tips below.
El Confital is a powerful reef break on the northern tip of Gran Canaria, adjacent to Las Palmas. The wave breaks over volcanic rock, producing thick, heavy lefts and rights that barrel on their day. It sits beneath a dramatic cliff face and is partially sheltered from the prevailing trade winds. When big north swells hit the Canaries, El Confital produces world-class waves.
Needs a substantial north or north-westerly groundswell from the Atlantic. Trade winds (north-easterly) are sideshore but the cliff provides shelter. Best at mid to high tide when water covers the shallowest reef. The 5-10ft range produces its best waves. November through March is prime season. Not a spot that works on small swells.
The main peak breaks over a defined section of volcanic reef. A left and right both work depending on swell direction. The right is generally longer. Line up with the cliff features to find the take-off zone. Do not sit too deep as sets swing wide.
Shallow volcanic reef with sharp, unforgiving lava rock. The wave is powerful and throws with force. Getting caught inside on a set means being dragged over rock. Strong currents sweep along the cliff face. This is a serious wave for experienced surfers only. Helmets are not uncommon.
Park at the road above and walk down the cliff path. The descent is straightforward but the entry involves jumping off rocks. Study the timing of sets before entering.
A dedicated Gran Canaria crew who charge this wave. The lineup is competitive on good days. Visiting surfers should show respect and patience. The wave demands a high level of ability so the crowd is self-selecting.
El Confital needs a significant north swell to switch on. Check long-range forecasts and be ready to move when the swell arrives. The wave changes character significantly between 6ft and 10ft. Start on a smaller day to learn the reef. The promenade above is excellent for spectating and understanding the lineup before paddling out.
Solid swell
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Combining historical conditions with school holiday crowd pressure to find the sweet spot.
The timing score combines two signals: historical conditions quality (how good the skiing or surfing typically is in a given week, based on 5 years of weather data) and crowd pressure (how many of this destination's feeder markets have school holidays that week).
Crowd pressure is weighted by each feeder country's share of visitors. If 40% of a resort's visitors come from France and France is on holiday, that contributes 0.40 to the crowd pressure score. Crowds can reduce the timing score by up to 35%, ensuring conditions still matter most.
Scores: 5 = great conditions with low crowds (the sweet spot). 4 = great conditions with moderate crowds, or good conditions with low crowds. 3 = average. 2 = below average conditions or very crowded. 1 = poor conditions or peak holiday chaos.
Last 30 days of logged conditions.
Based on historical weekly averages
Conditions at El Confital tend to be best between 08:00 to 11:00 in July.
Average score during this window: 37/100
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