How many wind-sheltered beaches are there in the Canaries?

Our verified inventory contains 42 wind-sheltered beaches in the Canaries, ranked with Blue Flag certifications first, then organized beaches with full amenities, then alphabetically. The count reflects only beaches we've independently verified with confirmed coordinates, attributes, and a hand-written description.

Which wind-sheltered beaches in the Canaries have Blue Flag certification?

5 of the 42 wind-sheltered beaches in this guide carry an active Blue Flag certification: Playa del Inglés, Playa Del Matorral, Playa Hoya del Pozo, and others. Blue Flag is an internationally audited eco-certification covering water quality, safety, environmental management, and visitor information.

How are the beaches in this guide ranked?

Beaches are sorted with Blue Flag certified ones first (the strongest external quality signal), then organized beaches with on-site amenities, then alphabetically. This isn't a "best to worst" ranking — it's a "most reliable for the average visitor first" ordering. Less-developed beaches further down the list often have better scenery or fewer crowds but require more preparation to visit.

What exactly are the trade winds, and when do they blow in the Canaries?

The trade winds — known locally as the alisios — are steady north-east winds that blow across the Canaries for much of the year, strongest from around June through autumn. They keep the air clear and dry, but they push Atlantic swell and a persistent chop onto the exposed north and west coasts. The beaches in this guide are sheltered from them because they face south or east, sit behind a headland, or lie inside an enclosed cove.

How were these wind-sheltered beaches chosen?

Each beach here is described in our verified inventory as sheltered or protected from the prevailing trade winds. We deliberately exclude beaches our data describes as open to the Atlantic and the alisios — including popular windsurfing and kitesurfing spots — even if they can be calm on a windless day, because listing them under a guide for where to swim when it is windy would be misleading. Conditions still depend on the day's wind direction, so always check a local forecast before you travel.

Wind-Sheltered Canary Beaches: Trade Winds Guide 2026

If you have spent a week in the Canaries, you know the pattern: a flawless forecast, then the north-east trade winds — the alisios — settle in for days, building Atlantic swell and a steady chop on the exposed north and west coasts and flipping umbrellas down the sand. The beaches below are the exception. Each one is described in our verified inventory as sheltered from the prevailing trade winds — tucked into a south- or east-facing bay, behind a headland, or inside a natural cove — so they stay more swimmable on the days the exposed beaches don't.

This is an honesty-first list: a beach only appears here if its own data says it is sheltered or protected from the prevailing trade winds. Beaches our data records as open to the Atlantic and the alisios — including the famous windsurf and kitesurf spots — are deliberately excluded, even when they are calm on a still day. Wind direction still matters: a trade-wind-sheltered bay can be exposed to a rarer southerly, so check the forecast on travel day. For the wider picture, see our best beaches.

Why the trade winds decide your beach day

The alisios — the north-east trade winds — blow across the Canaries for much of the year and are strongest through summer and autumn. They are what keep the islands' skies clear and the air dry, and what ruins a beach day if you pick the wrong coast: on the exposed north and west shores they build Atlantic swell and a persistent wind-chop. Because they come from the north-east, the rule is simple — on a windy day, head for a south- or east-facing bay in the island's lee. The beaches in this guide are the ones our inventory specifically records as sheltered from them.

Where the sheltered beaches cluster

All four main islands keep a run of trade-wind-proof options in our verified inventory. On Gran Canaria the sheltered bays gather on the south coast, where Playa de Arguineguín has calm, clear water protected from the prevailing trade winds. Tenerife hides cove after cove on its south-west flank, like Callao de la Cochina, sheltered from the wind by surrounding cliffs. On Lanzarote, Caletón Blanco sits protected from the trade winds with calm water ideal for swimming, and Fuerteventura has sheltered bays such as Playa del Matorral, where the water stays typically calm and clear. Pick your island, then pick your bay from the verified list below.

The verified beaches

Showing #1 – #10 of 42 beaches

Bengt Nyman

Playa del Inglés

Gran Canaria

Sheltered: Playa del Inglés is a long sandy beach on the south coast of Gran Canaria, sheltered from the prevailing trade winds.

Playa del Inglés is a long sandy beach on the south coast of Gran Canaria, sheltered from the prevailing trade winds. Its calm, gentle waters make it a popular choice for swimming and sunbathing. The beach is lined with resorts and amenities, offering a classic Canary Islands seaside experience.

Type: Sandy
Wave conditions: Calm
Parking: Roadside
Certification: Blue Flag

View full Playa del Inglés guide See on Google Maps

Schwarzweisz, CC0 <http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/deed.en>, via Wikimedia Commons

Playa Del Matorral

Fuerteventura

Sheltered: Sheltered from the prevailing trade winds, its waters are typically calm and clear, making it ideal for swimming.

Playa del Matorral is a long sandy beach on the southeastern coast of Fuerteventura, within the Jandía Natural Park. Sheltered from the prevailing trade winds, its waters are typically calm and clear, making it ideal for swimming. The beach is backed by dunes and offers views of the nearby Punta de Jandía lighthouse.

Type: Sandy
Wave conditions: Calm
Parking: Roadside
Certification: Blue Flag

View full Playa Del Matorral guide See on Google Maps

Toni Teror

Playa Hoya del Pozo

Gran Canaria

Sheltered: Its position offers some shelter from the prevailing trade winds, resulting in moderate wave conditions typical of this coastline.

Playa Hoya del Pozo is a small beach located on the east coast of Gran Canaria. Its position offers some shelter from the prevailing trade winds, resulting in moderate wave conditions typical of this coastline.

Type: Other
Wave conditions: Moderate
Parking: Roadside
Certification: Blue Flag

View full Playa Hoya del Pozo guide See on Google Maps

Marc Ryckaert

Playa los Cancajos

La Palma

Sheltered: Playa los Cancajos is a sandy beach on the east coast of La Palma, sheltered from the prevailing trade winds.

Playa los Cancajos is a sandy beach on the east coast of La Palma, sheltered from the prevailing trade winds. Its calm, clear waters are ideal for swimming, and the black sand is characteristic of volcanic beaches in the Canary Islands. The beach is a popular resort area with nearby amenities.

Type: Sandy
Wave conditions: Calm
Parking: Roadside
Certification: Blue Flag

View full Playa los Cancajos guide See on Google Maps

Our photographer is on the way

Salinetas

Gran Canaria

Sheltered: The beach is protected from the prevailing trade winds, resulting in gentle sea conditions.

Salinetas is a small beach on the east coast of Gran Canaria, sheltered within a cove near Telde. Its dark volcanic sand and calm waters make it suitable for swimming and family visits. The beach is protected from the prevailing trade winds, resulting in gentle sea conditions.

Type: Other
Wave conditions: Calm
Parking: Roadside
Certification: Blue Flag

View full Salinetas guide See on Google Maps

hh oldman

Aquamarina

Gran Canaria

Sheltered: Aquamarina is a small beach on the southwest coast of Gran Canaria, sheltered from the prevailing trade winds.

Aquamarina is a small beach on the southwest coast of Gran Canaria, sheltered from the prevailing trade winds. Its calm waters make it suitable for swimming and relaxing. The beach is accessible via roadside parking and offers a tranquil setting.

Type: Other
Wave conditions: Calm
Parking: Roadside

View full Aquamarina guide See on Google Maps

MoveinBlue

Caletón Blanco

Lanzarote

Sheltered: The beach is protected from the prevailing trade winds, resulting in calm sea conditions ideal for swimming.

Caletón Blanco is a small cove on the north coast of Lanzarote, sheltered by cliffs and known for its white sand and clear, turquoise waters. The beach is protected from the prevailing trade winds, resulting in calm sea conditions ideal for swimming. Its natural pool-like setting makes it a popular spot for families.

Type: Other
Wave conditions: Calm
Parking: Roadside

View full Caletón Blanco guide See on Google Maps

Gottfried Hoffmann -…

Callao de la Cochina

Tenerife

Sheltered: Callao de la Cochina is a small cove on the southern coast of Tenerife, sheltered from prevailing winds by surrounding cliffs.

Callao de la Cochina is a small cove on the southern coast of Tenerife, sheltered from prevailing winds by surrounding cliffs. Its calm waters and dark volcanic sand make it a quiet spot for swimming. Access is via roadside parking, and the beach offers a peaceful setting away from busier resort areas.

Type: Other
Wave conditions: Calm
Parking: Roadside

View full Callao de la Cochina guide See on Google Maps

Sirujs Enobs

Eagle Beach

Gran Canaria

Sheltered: Eagle Beach is a sandy beach on the south coast of Gran Canaria, sheltered from prevailing winds and currents.

Eagle Beach is a sandy beach on the south coast of Gran Canaria, sheltered from prevailing winds and currents. Its calm, gentle waters make it ideal for swimming and relaxation. The beach offers roadside parking and is easily accessible, providing a tranquil coastal experience.

Type: Other
Wave conditions: Calm
Parking: Roadside

View full Eagle Beach guide See on Google Maps

Xyzspaniel

El Barranquillo

Lanzarote

Sheltered: It features dark volcanic sand and is generally sheltered from the prevailing trade winds, resulting in moderate sea conditions.

El Barranquillo is a small beach on the east coast of Lanzarote. It features dark volcanic sand and is generally sheltered from the prevailing trade winds, resulting in moderate sea conditions. The beach is located near residential areas and has roadside parking, making it a convenient local spot.

Type: Other
Wave conditions: Moderate
Parking: Roadside

View full El Barranquillo guide See on Google Maps

Where to Swim in the Canaries When the Trade Winds Blow

Why the trade winds decide your beach day

Where the sheltered beaches cluster

The verified beaches

Playa del Inglés

Playa Del Matorral

Playa Hoya del Pozo

Playa los Cancajos

Salinetas

Aquamarina

Caletón Blanco

Callao de la Cochina

Eagle Beach

El Barranquillo

Full list of wind-sheltered beaches in the Canaries

Common questions about wind-sheltered beaches in the Canaries

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Where to Swim in the Canaries When the Trade Winds Blow

Why the trade winds decide your beach day

Where the sheltered beaches cluster

The verified beaches

Full list of wind-sheltered beaches in the Canaries

Common questions about wind-sheltered beaches in the Canaries

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Other guides for the Canaries

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