Most people who take a surf lesson on holiday have never surfed before in their lives. They have watched it from the beach, thought it looked enjoyable, and decided that a week in south Tenerife is a reasonable moment to give it a try. If that sounds like you, this guide is written specifically for you.
South Tenerife has been a surf destination long before it became a mass tourism resort. The beach at Playa de las Américas has been producing waves suitable for beginners and intermediate surfers for decades, and the surf school industry that has grown up around it is well-established, well-regulated, and in several cases genuinely excellent. The combination of reliable Atlantic swells, warm water, warm air, and qualified instructors makes it one of the better places in Europe to take a first surf lesson.
Contents
- Where Do You Actually Surf in South Tenerife?
- Shaka Surf School, Playa de las Américas
- Surf Life Tenerife, Playa de las Américas
- Ocean Life Surf School, Playa de las Américas
- Ika Ika Surf School, Playa de las Américas
- El Médano: The Alternative for Wind and Wave Conditions
- Comparing the Schools: Which One is Right for You?
- What Actually Happens on a Beginner Surf Lesson
- How Long Does it Take to Stand Up?
- What to Wear and What to Bring
- Is Surfing in South Tenerife Safe?
- Practical Tips for First-Time Surfers in South Tenerife
- Frequently Asked Questions
Where Do You Actually Surf in South Tenerife?
Before covering the schools, it is worth understanding the geography of surfing in the south, because not all of the beaches you walk past every day on the promenade are surf beaches.
The main surf spot in south Tenerife is Playa de las Américas, specifically the stretch of beach near the Veronicas area and the adjacent breaks. The waves here are generated by Atlantic swells funnelling through the channel between Tenerife and La Gomera, and the result is a beach with consistent, manageable surf that works well for beginners most of the year. The three main named breaks are El Conquistador, La Derecha del Cartel, and La Izquierda, each with slightly different characteristics that suit different ability levels and conditions.
For complete beginners, the whitewater section of the beach is where first lessons happen. This is the broken, foamy section of the wave after it has already crested. It is shallower, slower, and far more forgiving than the unbroken wave face, and it is where most first-timers progress from lying on the board to actually standing up.
The other significant surf location within range of the south Tenerife resorts. About 25 minutes east of Los Cristianos. Better known for kitesurfing, but on calm wind days produces gentle, beginner-friendly waves on a sandy-bottomed beach. A good alternative when conditions at Las Américas are not ideal.
Shaka Surf School, Playa de las Américas
Shaka Surf School has been operating in Playa de las Américas since 2014 and is one of the most consistently well-reviewed surf schools in the south. A member of the Canarian Surfing Federation, it teaches both beginners and more advanced students every day of the week, with classes structured according to ability level. The maximum group size is four students per instructor, notably smaller than some competing schools, which means genuine individual attention during the session.
Every lesson includes equipment, wetsuit, medical insurance, photographs of the session, and a snack. The photography is included rather than sold as an add-on, which reviews consistently praise. Staff speak English, Italian, French, German, and Spanish.
Shaka Surf School
| Address | Calle México 3, 38660 Playa de las Américas. 30 metres from the beach |
| Group Size | Maximum 4 students per instructor |
| Price | From €39 per person for a group lesson. Multi-lesson packages available |
| Includes | Equipment, wetsuit, insurance, photos, snack |
| Levels | Beginner to advanced. Minimum age 13 for group lessons |
| Booking | Book online in advance, particularly in peak season |
| Website | shakasurftenerife.com |
| @shakasurfschool.tenerife | |
| Shaka Surf School Tenerife |
Surf Life Tenerife, Playa de las Américas
Surf Life Tenerife takes a noticeably different operational approach from most surf schools in the south. The school sets its lesson times each day based on surf forecasts and, crucially, tide levels. Tide is one of the most important variables in surf quality, and a school that adjusts its schedule around the optimal tide window rather than running fixed morning and afternoon slots is prioritising quality of experience over operational convenience. Reviews from repeat visitors note this specifically as a reason they return.
The school operates a nine-seat surf van for hotel pickups across the Costa Adeje corridor from Callao Salvaje to Los Cristianos. The school building is at shop 82, Parque Santiago 3, 100 metres from the surf beach. Children’s private lessons are available from age 5. The school also offers surf camp packages combining accommodation at Hostel La Tortuga in Playa Fañabé with a structured lesson programme.
Surf Life Tenerife
| Address | Shop 82, Parque Santiago 3, Playa de las Américas. 100 metres from surf spot |
| Group Size | Maximum 6 students per instructor |
| Price | Check directly on website for current lesson and package pricing |
| Includes | Equipment, wetsuit, insurance, hotel pickup across Costa Adeje corridor |
| Levels | Beginner to advanced. Kids private lessons from age 5 |
| Booking | Book online. Hotel pickup from Callao Salvaje to Los Cristianos included |
| Website | surflifetenerife.com |
| @surflifetenerife | |
| facebook.com/SurfLifeTenerife |
Surf Life Tenerife is the most convenient option for tourists who do not want to navigate to a specific address. The nine-seat van collects from hotels across the resort corridor, and lesson times are set daily based on tide and conditions rather than a fixed schedule.
Ocean Life Surf School, Playa de las Américas
Ocean Life Surf School also offers hotel pickup across the south Tenerife resort area via a 9-seater surf van. Pickup from Los Cristianos and Las Américas costs €20 per person per way. The school keeps groups to a maximum of four students per instructor and holds dual certification from both the Canarian Surfing Federation and the ISA (International Surfing Association), the highest level of dual certification available for surf instruction.
The surf spot used by Ocean Life, El Medio beach, has both right and left reef breaks suitable for beginners and intermediates. The school also offers surfskate lessons, board hire, and snorkelling with turtles excursions.
Ocean Life Surf School
| Address | Avenida Rafael Puig Lluvina 39, Esc. 3, Puerta 49, 38650 Playa de las Américas. Next to the Eloina Salon, under the blue BBVA bank sign |
| Group Size | Maximum 4 students per instructor |
| Price | Check directly on website for current lesson pricing |
| Includes | Equipment, wetsuit, insurance. Hotel pickup from €20 per person per way |
| Certification | Canarian Surfing Federation + ISA dual certified |
| Levels | Beginner to intermediate |
| oceanlifetenerife@gmail.com | |
| Website | oceanlifesurfschool.com |
Ika Ika Surf School, Playa de las Américas
Ika Ika has been operating since 2013 and is one of the most established surf schools in Playa de las Américas, located 50 metres from the waves at Paseo Guadalajara. It is inclusive, welcoming of all ability levels, and has a notably good reputation for making nervous beginners feel at ease. The facilities are the best on-site of any school on this list: a second-floor lounge with sea views and WiFi, secure lockers with padlocks, and private showers.
Equipment hire is available for visitors who want to surf independently: softboards, shortboards, and longboards. Ika Ika also offers adaptive surf lessons for those with special needs or physical limitations, a genuinely unusual provision and one that reflects the inclusive philosophy behind the school.
Ika Ika Surf School
| Address | Paseo Guadalajara, Playa de las Américas. 50 metres from the waves |
| Price | Check directly on website. 3 and 5 lesson packages available at a discount |
| Includes | Equipment and wetsuit with lessons. Lockers, showers, sea view lounge on site |
| Levels | All levels. Equipment hire available. Adaptive lessons available |
| Board Hire | Softboards, shortboards, and longboards available for independent surfers |
| Phone | +34 603 155 720 |
| Website | ikaikasurfschooltenerife.com |
| @ika_ika_surf_school_tenerife | |
| facebook.com/IkaIkaSurfSchoolTenerife |
El Médano: The Alternative for Wind and Wave Conditions
El Médano sits about 25 minutes east of Los Cristianos on the flat southeastern coast and is primarily known as the kitesurfing and windsurfing capital of Tenerife. On calm wind days and in the right swell conditions, it produces gentle, sandy-bottomed waves that are excellent for beginners. The atmosphere is more relaxed and local than the resort beaches further west.
For tourists staying in the southern part of the resort corridor, El Médano is worth considering as a base for surf lessons. It also combines naturally with a visit to the Montaña Roja nature reserve nearby. For runners, the beach and Montaña Roja loop is covered in our guide to running routes in south Tenerife.
Hire car or taxi from Los Cristianos, approximately 25 minutes. Bus route 116 from Los Cristianos also serves El Médano. Check the TITSA timetable at titsa.com before travelling by bus.
Comparing the Schools: Which One is Right for You?
| School | Group Size | Price From | Standout Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shaka Surf School | Max 4 per instructor | €39 | Photos included, multilingual staff, since 2014 |
| Surf Life Tenerife | Max 6 per instructor | Check directly | Hotel pickup, tide-timed lessons, kids from age 5 |
| Ocean Life Surf School | Max 4 per instructor | Check directly | Dual ISA + Federation certified, hotel pickup from €20 |
| Ika Ika Surf School | Small groups | Check directly | Best facilities, board hire, adaptive lessons, since 2013 |
Surf Life Tenerife offers kids private lessons from age 5. All four schools accept children for group lessons from around age 7 to 8. Ika Ika offers adaptive lessons for those with special needs or physical limitations.
What Actually Happens on a Beginner Surf Lesson
This section exists because most people book a surf lesson without knowing what will happen, which creates unnecessary anxiety. Here is exactly what a standard beginner lesson in south Tenerife looks like from start to finish.
You meet at the surf school around 30 minutes before you get in the water. You will be given a wetsuit, rash vest or lycra top, and neoprene shoes. Your valuables are stored securely at the school. Everything else is provided.
Before getting in the water, the instructor runs through the basics on the sand: how waves work, how to position yourself on the board, the pop-up technique, and basic safety. This is more useful than it sounds. The students who pay attention here stand up faster in the water.
Your first time in the water is in the whitewater section. The instructor positions you on the board in shallow water, tells you when a suitable wave is coming, and gives you a push. Your job is to attempt the pop-up. The whitewater moves slowly enough that you have time to think, and falling off is not a big deal.
Most people make their first attempt to stand in the first 20 to 30 minutes in the water. Some stand up on their first wave. Many take several attempts. Some spend the entire first lesson working on the pop-up without fully standing. This is entirely normal. The mechanics of standing on a moving object in the ocean are genuinely new and the body needs time to calibrate.
How Long Does it Take to Stand Up?
This is the question most people actually want answered and very few surf school websites answer honestly.
The majority of beginners get to their feet at least briefly during their first lesson. Standing up for a second or two in whitewater on a large foam board counts as standing up. If your benchmark for success is riding an unbroken wave to the beach on your first lesson, you are setting an expectation that is realistic for a small minority of first-time surfers.
A more useful benchmark: after two lessons, most people can reliably stand up in whitewater and are starting to catch the transition into unbroken waves. After three to five lessons spread across a week, most people have had at least a few genuine wave rides that felt like the real thing. Every school on this list offers packages for multiple lessons at a better rate than individual bookings.
What to Wear and What to Bring
Swimwear you are comfortable moving actively in. Reef-safe sunscreen applied before you arrive (face, neck, and hands are exposed throughout). A towel. Ika Ika and Surf Life Tenerife have on-site showers, Shaka and Ocean Life have rinse areas. A water bottle. Leave valuables at the hotel.
Standard sunscreen contains chemicals harmful to marine life. Reef-safe alternatives are available at pharmacies and sports shops throughout the south. This matters particularly at Las Américas beach where lessons take place.
Is Surfing in South Tenerife Safe?
Yes, with reasonable caveats. The beginner surf spots at Playa de las Américas are managed by qualified surf schools with instructors who know the conditions well. All schools on this list include insurance in their lesson pricing and operate under certified coaches.
The main hazards specific to surf lessons are falls, board contact, and sun exposure. Falls are part of learning and the shallow whitewater section is forgiving. Board contact is the most common cause of minor injuries, which is the reason you wear a rash vest and neoprene shoes. Sea urchins are present at some rocky sections but are not a hazard at the sandy surf beaches. Rip currents exist at some spots but are managed by instructors who know their teaching beach.
Children are welcome at all four schools. Most accept group lessons from around age 7 to 8, with private lessons for younger children. Surf Life Tenerife offers kids private lessons from age 5. Ika Ika offers adaptive surf lessons for those with special needs or physical limitations. Contact them directly to discuss requirements.
Practical Tips for First-Time Surfers in South Tenerife
Small-group lessons at Shaka and Surf Life Tenerife fill up quickly in July and August. Book online at least two to three days ahead. In quieter winter months, last-minute booking is more feasible.
Wind in south Tenerife picks up in the afternoon, which affects wave quality and comfort in the water. Morning lessons, typically starting between 9am and 11am, offer the best conditions. All schools on this list offer morning sessions.
If you enjoyed your first lesson, booking a second before the holiday ends is the decision most people wish they had made earlier. The improvement between lesson one and lesson two is the most dramatic jump in the entire learning curve, and that second session is when surfing starts to feel like something you are actually doing rather than something happening to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be able to swim to take a surf lesson in south Tenerife?
Yes. A basic level of swimming ability is required for safety. You do not need to be a strong swimmer, but you need to be comfortable in open water. All schools on this list will ask about your swimming ability when you book.
What is the minimum age for surf lessons in south Tenerife?
Most schools accept children from around age 7 to 8 for group lessons. Surf Life Tenerife offers kids private lessons from age 5. Ika Ika offers adaptive lessons for those with special needs. Check directly with your chosen school before booking with children under 10.
How much do surf lessons cost in south Tenerife?
Shaka Surf School starts from €39 per person for a group lesson with photographs included. Other schools charge broadly similar rates, typically between €35 and €55 per person for a standard group lesson. Multi-lesson packages (3 or 5 sessions) are available at all four schools and offer meaningful savings against individual lesson prices.
Which surf school in south Tenerife is best for complete beginners?
Shaka Surf School and Surf Life Tenerife are the most consistently praised for beginner teaching. Ocean Life also keeps groups to four per instructor and holds dual ISA and Federation certification. Ika Ika has the best on-site facilities and an inclusive atmosphere that suits nervous first-timers particularly well. All four are suitable for complete beginners.
What is the best time of year for surf lessons in south Tenerife?
Surf lessons are available year-round. Autumn and winter, from October to March, tend to bring more consistent Atlantic swells. Summer waves are smaller and more variable but still adequate for beginner lessons. Water temperature is warmest from July to October.
Can I hire a surfboard in south Tenerife without taking a lesson?
Yes. Ika Ika Surf School at Paseo Guadalajara offers softboard, shortboard, and longboard hire for independent surfers. Phone +34 603 155 720 or visit ikaikasurfschooltenerife.com.
Is El Médano better for surfing than Playa de las Américas?
For kitesurfing and windsurfing, El Médano is the best location in the south. For surf lessons, Playa de las Américas has the most schools, most consistent beginner waves, and most convenient location relative to the main resort hotels. El Médano is a good alternative when winds are light.
Surf school details, prices, and lesson availability are subject to change. Always check current pricing and availability directly with the school before booking. Surf conditions vary daily and schools reserve the right to reschedule lessons in unsafe conditions.