Tarifa / Andalusia / Spain

Known as the “Wind Capital of the World”, Tarifa is the meeting point of the easterly and westerly winds that blow through the Straits of Gibraltar. It is favored by windsurfers and more recently by kitesurfers. Mild temperatures range between 15-32° C, and the water temperature measures between 13- 20° C. It rains in fall and winter.

Tarifa’s beaches have golden or white sands. The epicenter of windsurfing and kitesurfing is Playa de los Valdevaqueros, a sandy beach with sand dunes. Playa Los Lances, measuring 10km, is its longest beach and is also favored by sunbathers. Relatively quiet Playa Rio Jara has shallow waters which are ideal for instruction. Just outside of town is Playa Dos Mares which is never crowded, except at peak season. Playa Chica is the only beach on the Mediterranean side while Punta Paloma with sand dunes, on the right end of the bay, is furthest away from Tarifa.

Levante, which blows side-offshore from the left in summer, produces flatter waves especially in the Atlantic, and wind speeds between 5-8 bft. Westerly winds in fall and spring blow from sideshore to side-onshore from the right for stronger waves but slower wind at 3-6 bft. There are mainly small waves with some chop at Torre de la Pena, Tangana, Arte Vida and Dos Mares, and small and medium waves at Valdevaqueros, Hurricane Hotel and Punta Paloma. Conditions change quickly and the winds are strongest in the afternoon. Flat water in a protected lagoon in Valdevaqueros is good for beginners.

There are no schools or equipment rental at Playa Los Lances, as windsurfing and kitesurfing are prohibited here in summer. Schools are concentrated at Valdevaqueros, but are also found in Dos Mares. Tarifa has restaurants, bars, a lively nightlife, as well as churches and museums. Accommodations include resort complexes, apartments and holiday houses.

Carefully observe segregated zones in summer for windsurfers, kitesurfers and swimmers. Watch out for buoys and reefs at Valdevaqueros. Cool water temperatures require a shorty in summer and long wetsuit in winter.