Tenerife Surf Guide: The Real Island Soul (North vs. South)

At Bencomo Coliving, we don’t just give you a desk and a coffee. We are the North Tenerife refuge for those who, like us, understand that the most important meeting of the day happens at 7:00 AM on top of a surfboard.

Recently, our friends at Waves & Wifi (Nicaragua) and Amplitude (Mexico) featured us as one of their favorite surf colivings in the world. Why? Because we live surf exactly how they do: with community, deep local respect, and fiber-optic internet that never drops a call.

North vs. South: The Island Reality

       If you’re looking for the typical postcard of massive resorts and beach umbrellas, the South is your place. But if you’re looking for real surf, the North is where the volcanic heart of the island beats.

• The North (Home of Bencomo): The waves here have more character, power, and grit. The volcanic reef breaks require good reading and decisive take-offs. It’s a paradise of lush green landscapes and the raw force of the Atlantic.

• The South: Generally offers longer, more mellow waves. It’s ideal for relaxing days or if you’re just starting to understand how to ride the face of a wave.

  When to come based on your level

  WINTER (October - March)

  • Recommended Level: Advanced / Pro

  • Climate: 18°C - 23°C (The "Eternal Spring")

  • Water Temp: 18°C - 20°C (3/2mm wetsuit recommended)

  • Vibe: Peak season for the biggest Atlantic swells and powerful barrels.

  SPRING (April - June)

  • Recommended Level: Intermediate

  • Climate: 20°C - 25°C

  • Water Temp: 19°C - 21°C

  • Vibe: Great balance of consistent waves and warmer days.

  SUMMER (July - September)

  • Recommended Level: Beginner / Progressing

  • Climate: 24°C - 30°C

  • Water Temp: 22°C - 24°C (Boardshorts or thin shorty weather!)

  • Vibe: Gentler, cleaner waves—perfect for working on your pop-up.

  The Golden Rule: Respecting the Locals

  As the crews at Amplitude and Waves & Wifi emphasize in their own guides, the key to a great surf-work trip is cultural immersion. In Tenerife, that means following the rules of the peak:

  1. Priority is King: Never "snake" or drop in on someone. The person closest to the peak has the right of way.

  2. Humility First: Say hello when you paddle out. Don't show up in huge groups. Watch the current for 15 minutes before jumping in.

  3. The Local "Backyard": For many Tinerfeños, that spot is their home. Be a polite guest, keep the beach clean, and bring positive vibes. Respect is earned wave by wave.

  Your Gear in the North: Dua Shop

  Traveling light? No worries. In Puerto de la Cruz, we have our trusted allies at Dua Shop. This is the reference shop in the North for buying or renting high-quality technical gear. You won't find cheap tourist foamies here; they provide real equipment for real surfers. Stop by and tell them Adrián and Ana (from Bencomo) sent you—they’ll treat you like family.

  https://www.instagram.com/duasurfshop/?hl=es

  🌍 Global Connections: Our Surf-Work Tribe

  Our "Local-First" philosophy connects us with two incredible spaces across the ocean that we highly recommend if you’re continuing your nomad route. These spaces were built by surfers, for surfers.

  🇳🇮 Waves & Wifi (Popoyo, Nicaragua)

  Located in the undeveloped paradise of Popoyo, this spot is a haven for those who want offshore winds almost 365 days a year. They built this space specifically to solve the "nomad struggle" in Central America: power outages and bad WiFi.

  • Why we love them: They have a massive battery backup system and a professional coworking space with private booths. Their "Kooks" café is the social heart of the town.

  • Best Season: March to October for the most consistent southern swells and constant offshores. It's perfect for intermediate surfers looking for uncrowded beach and reef breaks.

    https://wavesandwifi.com/

  🇲🇽 Amplitude Coliving (Puerto Escondido, Mexico)

  Located in the trendy La Punta neighborhood, Amplitude is a boutique sanctuary built from the ground up for serious remote workers who don't want to compromise on productivity or waves. It is a space designed specifically to bridge the gap between high-performance work and world-class surfing.

  • Why we love them: Their tech setup is world-class. They use dual fiber-optic lines plus Starlink with load balancing and battery backups. Every room has its own desk and dedicated Ethernet port. Plus, the world-class La Punta point break is only a 4-minute walk away.

  • Best Season: May to October for those seeking serious size and power (peak swell season). For cleaner, more manageable waves, November to April is the sweet spot for working surfers.

    https://www.amplitude-coliving.com/