La Graciosa / Playa las Conchas, Canary Islands

Due to it's position and the predominant wind direction it is almost always side and sideonshore. The Canary Islands located close to the North African coast (approx. 100 kms) and the Sahara desert, are on the fringe of the trade winds and in the middle of a major ocean current - the Canary current. The predominant winds are the NE trade winds that blow throughout the year. In the summer they become more consistent and stronger and the sea breezes create a pleasant climate both on the water and on shore. The trade winds "Los Alisios" can kick in as early as March and as late as May and contrary to popular belief they are not strong winds only about 3 Bft on the open sea. The best time to visit the islands is between May and August. The position of the islands creates acceleration zones where the wind is funneled between the "Los Riscos" mountain range of Lanzarote and the island of La Graciosa. Theses winds can sometimes increase to as much as 8-9 Bft and are normally sideshore or sideonshore. The Canary Islands occasionally get hit by the hot dry "Sirocco" winds that blow straight off the Sahara desert. They normally last between from 2-10 days and provide variable conditions (light-strong).

The Canary Islands are famed for their pleasant sub-tropical climate. La Graciosa the most northerly island has an arid desert like climate that averages 14-22°C in winter and 22-28°C in summer. There is hardly any rainfall, relatively low humidity and cooling sea breezes, these factors combine to make it "the island of eternal spring". The waters around the islands are not as warm as they might be at this latitude, due to the cool Canaries current that flows through the islands from the North. However, kiteboarders from northern Europe will find them relatively balmy, averaging 18°C in winter (January to March) and 24°C in summer (July to October). In terms of what to wear in the water, wintertime visitors from northern Europe will be comfortable with a very light full suit or shorty, whilst summertime is board shorts weather.

Big waves. Due to the strong current for experts only!