Kitespot guide – Tarifa

📍 Location on Google Maps

Summary: The largest and most famous beach of Tarifa, with kilometers of sand and separate zones for lessons and freeride. This is the spot where most kiters start their sessions.

Wind directions:
Poniente (W): side-onshore, stable and ideal for beginners and freeride.
Levante (E): side-offshore, often strong and gusty, best for advanced riders.

Level: From beginner to advanced (depending on wind). With Poniente it’s a great learning area; with Levante it becomes challenging and only recommended for experienced kiters.

Key points: With strong Levante there’s a risk of drifting → rescue boats are usually active. In summer there is a kite ban directly in front of the town (main zones are further north).

Launching & landing: Wide sandy beaches with plenty of space, although in high season it can get crowded with kiters and beachgoers.

Tide: Tide has relatively little influence on the spot, but at high tide there is less beach space for rigging.

Kite zone: Official kite zones are marked with flags/buoys and change between summer and winter season. Make sure to stay within the correct zone.

Crowds / community: The most popular spot in Tarifa with lots of schools, rentals, and a vibrant kite scene. Very busy in summer, much more relaxed outside the peak season.

Winging & Foiling: Possible, but due to crowds and rescue zones it’s better suited outside peak hours or further north along the beach.

📍 Location on Google Maps

Summary: One of Tarifa’s most famous kitesurf spots, located next to the iconic sand dune of Punta Paloma. Known for its thermal wind boost in summer and its laid-back vibe with beach bars and kite centers.

Wind directions:
Poniente (W): side-onshore, stable and friendly → ideal for lessons and freeride.
Levante (E): sideshore/side-off, often strong and gusty → best for advanced riders.

Level: From beginner to advanced. Thanks to the wide bay and stable Poniente, it’s a great spot for lessons, but with strong Levante it becomes a challenge for experienced kiters.

Key points: With strong Levante it can get extremely busy and chaotic, with rescue boats in action. In summer, kite zones are strictly marked and swim zones lie directly next to the kite area.

Launching & landing: Large sandy beach with plenty of space, although in summer it can get packed with kiters and beachgoers.

Tide: Hardly any impact on riding conditions, but at high tide there is less beach space for rigging.

Kite zone: Clearly marked kite zone during the summer months. Outside the season there’s more freedom, but always pay attention to swim zones.

Crowds / community: A very popular spot, often crowded in high season with schools, lessons, and riders of all levels. Famous for its lively kite community and relaxed après-kite at the beach bars.

Winging & Foiling: Possible, but less ideal in peak season due to crowds. Better outside busy hours or further towards Punta Paloma.

📍 Location on Google Maps

Summary: A small but legendary spot right next to Tarifa town, where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean. Famous for big air sessions and freestyle during strong Levante winds.

Wind directions:
Levante (E): side-offshore, strong and gusty → the signature conditions Balneario is known for.
Poniente (W): less common here, side-onshore and usually less attractive.

Level: Advanced to expert. Due to the strong Levante, side-offshore conditions, and limited space, this is definitely not a spot for beginners.

Key points: The spot is located right next to the harbor and town center. Very limited beach space, strong winds, and high risk of drifting with Levante. Rescue boats are often active, but solid experience is essential here.

Launching & landing: Narrow sandy beach directly beside the old town wall. Often crowded and chaotic – assistance for launching and landing is a must.

Tide: High or low tide strongly affects the width of the small beach, limiting the space available for rigging.

Kite zone: No official kite zone; only suitable for highly experienced kiters who know what they are doing.

Crowds / community: A popular show spot for locals and pros. On strong Levante days this is the place to watch spectacular jumps and tricks.

Winging & Foiling: Possible, but not ideal and definitely not recommended for beginners.

📍 Location on Google Maps

Summary: Sheltered bay about 20 minutes from Tarifa. A perfect alternative when the Levante in Tarifa is too strong or too gusty. Known for its flat water and relaxed atmosphere.

Wind directions:
Levante (E): side-onshore, often more stable and less strong than in Tarifa → ideal for lessons and freestyle.
Poniente (W): works less well, often offshore or gusty.

Level: From beginner to advanced. Thanks to the flat water, it’s excellent for lessons and freestyle.

Key points: The bay is relatively small and can get chaotic when crowded. Watch out for small boats and currents near the river mouth. Water quality can be poor due to its location next to the harbor/industry.

Launching & landing: Sandy beach with enough space, but smaller than in Tarifa. At high tide there is less room on the beach.

Tide: Tide affects the width of the beach and the current near the river mouth. Best conditions are usually at mid-tide.

Kite zone: No strictly marked zones, but kiters are expected to stay within the bay and avoid riding towards the harbor.

Crowds / community: Smaller local community; on strong Levante days many riders come over from Tarifa, which can make it busy.

Winging & Foiling: Very suitable due to the flat water, but be cautious of the limited space in the bay.

📍 Location on Google Maps

Summary: Stunning natural kitesurf spot on the Atlantic coast, famous for the Trafalgar lighthouse. Well-known among wave kiters for its consistent waves and relaxed atmosphere.

Wind directions:
Poniente (W): side-onshore, stable, often combined with clean waves.
Levante (E): side-off, gusty and dangerous → only for very experienced kiters.

Level: Advanced to expert. Perfect for wave riders; not suitable for beginners due to strong surf and currents.

Key points: Surf can be powerful, especially during spring tides and strong winds. Currents around the lighthouse can be strong. No organized rescue like in Tarifa → self-sufficiency is required.

Launching & landing: Narrow to medium sandy beach. Depending on the tide, space for rigging can be limited.

Tide: Large difference between high and low tide. At low tide, rocks and reefs become exposed, making the spot tricky.

Kite zone: No official kite zone; surfers and kiters share the water. Respect the surf community.

Crowds / community: Much quieter than Tarifa. Smaller local scene with a mix of surfers and wave kiters. More tourists in summer, but never crowded on the water.

Winging & Foiling: Wingfoiling possible with stable Poniente. Wave foiling can be excellent in the right conditions, but only for experienced riders due to currents and rocks.

📍 Location on Google Maps

Summary: Popular kitesurf spot with a large lagoon, wide sandy beaches, and views of the Castillo de Sancti Petri. Famous for its flatwater lagoon sessions and wave riding on the ocean side.

Wind directions:
Poniente (W): side-onshore and stable, perfect for beginners and freeride.
Levante (E): often side-offshore → gusty and dangerous, not suitable without rescue support.

Level: From beginner to advanced. The lagoon is ideal for lessons and freestyle, while the ocean side is more challenging with surf and currents.

Key points: Tides determine the conditions: the lagoon only works around high tide. During outgoing tide, strong currents form towards the ocean.

Launching & landing: Wide sandy beaches with plenty of space. Around high tide the beach gets narrower, leaving less room for setup.

Tide: The lagoon is tide-dependent → rideable from approx. 2 hours before high tide until 2 hours after. Outside this window the lagoon dries up.

Kite zone: In summer, kite and swim zones are strictly separated. Both the lagoon and the ocean side have their own rules → always check local signs.

Crowds / community: Large local and regional community. Busy on the beach and in the water during high season; much quieter outside the summer months.

Winging & Foiling: Excellent in the lagoon at high tide (flatwater) and on the ocean side with stable Poniente.

In the Tarifa area you can experience some legendary downwinders. Thanks to the endless beaches and constant wind, there are routes for every level.

Los Lances → Valdevaqueros: A short and accessible downwinder of approx. 6 km. Perfect for beginners to practice riding downwind, always in sight of the beach and rescue boats.

Tarifa town → Punta Paloma: A longer route of approx. 10–12 km. A beautiful mix of flatwater at Los Lances and the thermal wind boost at Valdevaqueros.

Valdevaqueros → Bolonia: A classic downwinder along the impressive dunes of Punta Paloma to the quiet beach of Bolonia (approx. 15 km). Only suitable with support, as there are no rescue facilities in Bolonia.

Specials towards Zahara or Caños de Meca: For experienced kiters and often organized by local schools. You ride dozens of kilometers along the coast with the Levante or Poniente at your back, including sections with solid waves.

👉 Downwinders around Tarifa are often organized with support (car or boat) since some end points don’t have rescue or facilities. This makes the journey not only safer but also more relaxing, so you can fully enjoy the ride.