#501 European Rank
Playa de Famara
Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain•Atlantic Ocean• Best Season: May, June, July, August, September, October, November
Photo: Chmee2 (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Wikimedia Commons source
Day-of-Visit Snapshot
3-Second Operational AnswersEDITORIAL SCORE
4.36/ 5.0
SEA TEMPERATURE
22.4°C
August 30-year average
DAILY BUDGET
€46/day
SAND & SHORELINE
Golden Sand
Gradual Drop
Live Open-Meteo European Feed
Morning Beach Pulse & Marine Telemetry
Wind-Exposed
Moderate Surf
Exposed to Onshore Surf & ChopCove aspect: Faces W (270°) · Wind: W (270°)
Onshore wind (12 km/h) is pushing open-sea swell directly into the bay, creating active breaking waves and reduced visibility.
Significant Wave Height
...
Exercise Caution
Swell Profile
...
Reading buoy...
Live Surface Wind
...
W (270°) · ONSHORE
UV & Air Temperature
...
UV 5 · Moderate (SPF 30)
Cove Aspect & Shelter Compass
Seaward Orientation vs. Live Wind DirectionCove Faces W (270°)
Onshore Wind • Waves and surface chop pushed into the beach
Shoreline Facing (θ_aspect)
W (270°)
Open Sea Exposure
Surface Wind Vector
W (270°)
12 km/h · Δθ = 0°
Spatial Geometry: Wind from W pushes unobstructed over the open sea directly onto the W-facing coast, generating breaking chop.
Morning Coastal Brief for Playa de Famara: Noticeable shorebreak; recommend caution for small children and non-swimmers. Onshore wind (12 km/h) is pushing open-sea swell directly into the bay, creating active breaking waves and reduced visibility. Models update sub-daily via Open-Meteo European marine models.
Interactive Oceanographic Climatology
Seasonal Sea Warmth & Bathing Climatology
30-Year NOAA OISST v2.1 Monthly Normals (1991–2020) · Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain
Ideal Swimming
Early August
22.4°C
Air ~36°C
Comfortable, prolonged bathing for all ages
Water temperature is well above the 20.0°C bathing threshold. Prolonged leisure swimming, snorkeling, and family wading are comfortable with zero thermal shock.
Drag to scrub 12-month temperature curveEarly August · 22.4°C
| Month | Sea Surface Temp | Air Temp | Thermal Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19.0°C | 22°C | Refreshing |
| February | 18.3°C | 23°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| March | 18.2°C | 25°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| April | 18.6°C | 28°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| May | 19.5°C | 31°C | Refreshing |
| June | 20.7°C | 34°C | Refreshing |
| July | 21.5°C | 36°C | Refreshing |
| August | 22.4°C | 36°C | Ideal Swimming |
| September | 23.0°C | 34°C | Ideal Swimming |
| October | 22.7°C | 31°C | Ideal Swimming |
| November | 21.5°C | 27°C | Refreshing |
| December | 20.1°C | 24°C | Refreshing |
NOAA OISST v2.1 30-year climatological normal (1991–2020).Explore all Spain Sea Temperatures
Swimmability Window · NOAA Climatology
Swimmable 26 Jun – 26 Nov (>21°C) · 152 days
Planning around peak water warmth (22.4°C)?
Lock in coastal villas and boutique stays near Playa de Famara for the optimal May–June–July–August–September–October–November swimming window.
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Quick Summary
Preview
🏖️ Playa de Famara (Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain)
🌊 Water temperature: 22.4°C
⛱️ Beach access: 100% free public sand • Sunbeds: €0–€0
🧭 Wind & shelter: Faces W (sheltered from E winds)
📍 Guide: https://shores.cc/beach/playa-de-famara-es/Tip: Add this beach to your home screen to quickly check morning wind and water conditions before heading out.
EEA Bathing Water Directive 2006/7/EC
Bathing Water Purity & Statutory Standards
Status: Excellent
Microbial Water Purity
95th-Percentile Compliant
Escherichia coli & intestinal enterococci within statutory limits.
Bathing Directive Tier
Tier 1: Sufficient & Safe
Monitored across the official European bathing season.
Official European Environment Agency (EEA) water monitoring verifies recreational cleanliness, sewage absence, and safety standards across all 31 member and partner coastal nations.
Score Breakdown
Scenery & Setting4.2 / 5
Water Clarity & Cleanliness4.5 / 5
Sand & Shoreline Quality4.7 / 5
Atmosphere & Safety4.6 / 5
Accessibility & Entry Ease4.5 / 5
Affordability & Fair Pricing4.2 / 5
About Playa de Famara
Wind-scoured sand under a towering cliff wall makes Famara the raw Atlantic surf capital of Lanzarote.
Key Beach Facts
Official Records•Access: Road access leading to La Caleta de Famara in Teguise municipality with sandy parking areas along the dunes.
•Protected Status / Environment: Located within the Chinijo Archipelago Natural Park and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
•Notable Feature: Over 5 km of wild golden sand situated beneath the dramatic 600 m Famara Cliffs, internationally famed for surfing.
Sand Transparency & Sunbed Index
Public sand quota, private lido density, and legal towel placement rights
Wide Open Public Sand
Free Public Sand (100%)Private Concessions (0%)
2-Sunbed + Umbrella Set Rate
Free (100% Public)
No commercial loungers; bring your own parasol and beach mat.
Towel Bather Guidance
Abundant unencumbered shoreline. Free towel placement everywhere with minimal commercial footprint.
Legal Shoreline Rights: 100% open public coastline. No commercial sunbed concessions or umbrella installations permitted.
Arrival Logistics, Parking & Sun Exposure
Micro-logistics, parking payment taxonomy, and topographic shadow schedules.
Parking Payment & Rates
Free Parking
Free Verge / Unpaved Roadside
Follow local municipal parking signage to avoid fines during summer peak hours.
Sun Exposure & Cliff Shadows
Morning Shade • Late Afternoon Golden Hours
Faces westward into the open horizon, offering bright afternoon sun and prime sunset vantage points.
Footwear & Karst Protection
Unnecessary (Soft Natural Sand)
Fine powder or golden sand allows comfortable barefoot wading into shallow depths.
Amenities & Facilities
Bathrooms
YesShowers
YesFree Parking
YesFood / Tavernas
YesGood for Kids
YesDog Friendly
NoLifeguard on Duty
NoSunbed & Umbrella Rentals
NoNatural Cliff/Pine Shade
YesWheelchair Accessible
NoSnorkeling & Watersports
YesNudist / FKK Friendly
NoGetting There & Local Notes
Getting there:
Located near Lanzarote, Canary Islands. Accessible via regional coastal roads (29.118°N, -13.559°E).
•Strong currents; better for surfing than swimming.
•A vast beach beneath a 600-metre cliff wall on Lanzarote's north-west.
Nearest Airport & Transit Gateway
TFS · 25m drive20-30 min transfer from Tenerife South (TFS).
Are you a Venue Owner or Promoter at Playa de Famara?
Promote your beach club, summer residency, or submit photo & data updates to Shores.
Frequently Asked Questions about Playa de Famara
What is the water temperature at Playa de Famara?
The peak summer sea surface temperature at Playa de Famara averages 22.4°C (72°F), based on 30-year NOAA satellite climatology.
What type of coast or sand is Playa de Famara?
Playa de Famara is classified as a golden sand shoreline located in Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain.
Is Playa de Famara good for families with kids?
Yes, Playa de Famara is suitable for families and children with manageable water entry.
Are there parking and facilities at Playa de Famara?
Free parking is available. Restroom facilities are present.
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