Menu
Menu
Kitesurfing spots in Tarifa
WHERE TO KITE IN TARIFA?
In Tarifa and its surroundings, you will find many spots. There are those that are perfect for beginners and those that are not worth entering unless you are an expert (pro). So, if you’ve seen Jank Grzegorzewski or Ruben Lenten jumping at Balneario (a spot for professional kitesurfers) and based on that, you think Tarifa is not a place for learning, you can be sure that Tarifa has much more to offer. Los Lances boasts a vast, untouched space and smooth water with levante winds, while Valdevaqueros always provides a safe direction.
LOS LANCES
This is the main beach of Tarifa, starting in the city center and stretching 14 kilometers to the west. The beach is characterized by its enormous width, reaching up to 200 meters in some places, making it diverse with many different spots.
Starting from the city center, the first spot is:
BALNEARIO
This is the legendary starting point of Los Lances beach. It’s perfect for high jumps, and during strong Levante winds, you can witness a real show. Kitesurfing enthusiasts train here, and world champions compete with up to 40 Levante gusts. Maximum of 15 kitesurfers are allowed at this very dangerous and extreme spot. Only for experts!
Remember: “respect the locals” – before entering the water, ask about the rules and familiarize yourself with local laws.
Operational during Levante.
Note: off-shore wind, no rescue boats, strong currents.
LOS LANCES SUR
The beach near the town is beautiful and an excellent choice for those who wants to kite close to the city. Besides the summer months, it’s a great place to enjoy Poniente winds.
Operational during Poniente.
Note: kiting is prohibited during the season (15.06 – 15.09) due to swimmers.
CAMPO DE FUTBOL
Just behind the town, near the football stadium, there’s a spot called Campo de Futbol. Poniente usually works better here than in the town itself. It offers more space and convenient parking.
Operational during Poniente.
Note: kiting is prohibited during the season (15.06 – 15.09) due to swimmers.
RIO JARA
This is our favorite spot, especially during the main season. Located between the mouth of the Rio Jara, and the entrance to the camping site with the same name. It forms a vast lagoon during high tide. Offers the most consistent wind with Levante. Due to the difficult access from the parking lot (about 10 minutes walk), there are fewer crowds. This is a teching zone, so remember to follow the rules.
Operational during Poniente and Levante.
Note: during Levante, the wind direction is side off shore. Remember to purchase a rescue card.
CHIRINGUITO AGUA
Further to the west, right next to the parking lot and beach bars, you’ll find a spot where most of the schools are working. Many beginners near the shore – it’s a teaching zone. It can be very gusty during Levante, but it’s close to the bar and car.
Operational during Poniente and Levante.
Note: during Levante, the wind direction is side off shore. Remember to purchase a rescue card.
ARTE VIDA
The westernmost part of Los Lances beach. A more narrow beach, ideal during Poniente. It’s a spot for advanced kitesurfers with stones under the water, creating significant waves. You can park near the Arte Vida hotel. Also a good spot for surfing when there is swell ans no wind.
Operational during Poniente.
Note: there are stones and rocks underwater!
VALDEVAQUEROS
Famous spot located in the bay, 9km west of Tarifa. Levante wind blows side or side on shore from the east here, while Poniente wind blows side on shore from the west. Due to the presence of a huge dune, Poniente wind is reinforced by the thermal effect. Therefore, during weak Poniente winds, this will be the only place in the area where you can kite. Levante wind is usually a few knots stronger here than at Los Lances. During the peak season, the beach is very crowded, and the lack of designated zones between beachgoers and kite surfers exacerbates the chaos. There are plenty of paid parking lots near the beach and beach bars. The beach is much narrower than Los Lances, with rocks underwater at both ends.
Operational during Poniente and Levante.
Note: can be crowded! many rocks on the beach.
CANOS DE MECA
70 kilometers west of Tarifa, you’ll find a legendary surfing and wave spot. It’s worth heading here when Levante in Tarifa exceeds 40 knots – in Canos, it will be about 10 knots less. The beach is located right next to the Trafalgar lighthouse, and besides being historically significant, it offers exceptionally beautiful views. There can be substantial waves, and the bay is bordered by a shallow reef. This spot is for advanced kitesurfers.
Operational during: Very strong Levante.
Note: In the bay, there is a very sharp reef, so caution is advised!
PALMONES
When Levante winds are too strong in Tarifa (above 35 knots), you can travel about 40 kilometers to the east. In the city of Algeciras, on the Mediterranean Sea, there’s a spot located in the industrial part of the bay. The wind comes side on shore from behind Gibraltar, which can make it a bit gusty. However, the water is shallow and safe. Surrounding the area are industrial buildings and the port, with plenty of container ships. It can get crowded at times.
Operational during: Very strong Levante.
Note: During the season (15.06 – 15.09), kiting is officialy prohibited due to swimmers.
GETARES
A spot with higher aesthetic values than Palmones is located about 35 kilometers away from Tarifa. The wind direction is side on shore, and outside the summer season, you may encounter a good wave. The wind is often weaker than in Palmones, but it’s definitely less crowded.
Operational during: Very strong Levante.
Note: During the season (15.06 – 15.09), kiting is officialy prohibited due to swimmers.