Tarifa is the southernmost town in Europe, offering an insane view of the African continent. You can cross the strait (just 15 km) by ferry and reach Tangier, Morocco, in just a few hours.
But Tarifa is mostly known as THE kitesurfing & wingfoiling destination in Europe. The wind blows here more than 300 days a year, making it an unmissable spot for all board sports lovers. So, if you’re planning a kitetrip or wingfoil trip, you can’t go wrong by choosing Tarifa!
If you’re new to this destination and looking for tips to plan your stay, you’re in the right place!
Kitesurf Tarifa: When to go, what kind of wind to expect, what gear to bring, the best spots, other activities, must-visit places… Kitesurf and Wingfoil Tarifa, we’ve got everything you need to know about!
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When is the best time to go to Tarifa for a kite trip or wingfoiling?
There’s no “perfect” season in Tarifa since the wind blows almost all year round (300 windy days per year)!
But here are some insights on the different periods:
Spring / Summer:
Warmer temperatures, a lively town, and spots packed with riders. If you love a buzzing atmosphere and energetic sessions, this is the best time to go!
Autumn / Winter:
Temperatures remain pleasant with lots of sunshine (between 10 and 20°C), and the spots are far less crowded. The town is quieter than in summer, but it still has a cool vibe. If you prefer a more relaxed experience, this is the ideal period for you.
Understanding the winds in Tarifa for your kite trip
Two main winds dominate Tarifa: Levante and Poniente.
Levante is the prevailing wind in Tarifa. It’s a strong easterly wind (up to 40 knots) that blows offshore in Tarifa Bay. It can be gusty but provides an ultra-flat water surface, perfect for speed and freestyle lovers
Since Levante is offshore, it’s recommended to have a rescue card (details below). This card ensures that if you have any trouble, a boat will come and safely bring you back to the beach. Without the card, additional rescue fees apply.
➜ Rescue Service InfoPoniente is a more stable westerly wind that can create choppy water conditions. It comes from the Atlantic and sometimes brings precipitation.
Kitesurf & wingfoil spots in Tarifa
Important: If you’re not completely confident on the water, get a rescue card for added safety, especially when Levante is blowing offshore.
(GPS Point of the Los Lances spot)
It’s the most crowded spot in Tarifa. There’s the Los Lances South spot (in front of the Rio Jara campground) and the Los Lances North spot (starting from the Agua beach bar).
On the northern part of Los Lances, it’s the kitesurf school area and a free riding zone, so be cautious of the students, who are easily recognizable. The wind blows side-offshore with flat water. You’ll find much more consistent wind in front of the Rio Jara campground. However, if you stay in front of the large parking lot, the wind can be up and down.
With Poniente winds, the wind blows side-onshore, providing very consistent wind and choppy water conditions.
The southern part of Los Lances is closed from June 15 to September 15. This area, stretching from the town of Tarifa to the Rio Jara campground, is reserved for tourists relaxing on the beach. Outside of this period, with Levante winds, the wind is fairly irregular because the city blocks the wind. With Poniente winds, most riders flock to this spot for very consistent wind.
🚗 Parking: You can park in front of the spot, on the large parking lot that stretches almost the entire length of the beach. Vans and campervans are allowed. (GPS point)
At this spot, the rescue card is valid.
(GPS Point of the Balneario spot)
Balneario is one of the most renowned spots in the world of big air kitesurfing. This small stretch of beach, located in the town of Tarifa, offers a perfect wind window for pro riders who come to train throughout the year. It also hosts a stop on the big air championship.
If you decide to go kitesurfing at this spot, be cautious and always check behind you, in case other kitesurfers are jumping.
At this spot, you can also relax at a bar or on the seawall to take photos and admire the height of some jumps.
The spot works with Levante winds.
🚗 Parking: If you want to go to Balneario, you’ll need to park in the town of Tarifa.
(GPS Point of Valdevaqueros spot)
This spot is located just 10 minutes by car from the center of Tarifa. It is very popular among kitesurfers, wingfoilers, and windsurfers. On this beach, you must respect the navigation and swimming zones from June 15 to September 15. Outside of this period, you can ride and set up across the entire beach. However, be mindful of swimmers and takeoff areas.
With Levante winds, the wind can be very gusty at takeoff. You’ll need to move a bit further out into the bay to find more stable wind conditions.
Little tip: Launch your kite towards the sea, not the beach. The wind will be stronger, and in case of a lull, you’ll avoid injuring anyone.
With Poniente winds, depending on the wind direction, the spot works more or less well, but it can offer great sessions with amazing waves.
🚗 Parking: Several parking options are available to access Valdevaqueros. You can park at Tumbao (accessible for vans and campervans), ION parking (paid parking), or the lot past Dunas Tarifa campground (note: vehicles over 2m are no longer allowed there).
At this spot, the rescue card is valid.
Arte Vida is the spot located between Los Lances and Valdevaqueros. It mainly works with West winds (Poniente). Most riders come here to enjoy the waves strapless. It’s best to avoid this spot with Levante winds for kitesurfing.
For wingfoiling, you can still enjoy this less crowded spot. However, be cautious as there are quite a few rocks near the shore today. If you’re coming in on wingfoil in front of Arte Vida, it’s better to wear booties or head further upwind in front of Dos Mares to avoid injury.
For kitesurfing, be very careful when jumping close to the shore to avoid landing on these rocks. The best wind for riding at this spot remains Poniente.
🚗 Parking: Parking is allowed in winter for vans and campervans.
(GPS Point of the Bolonia spot)
Bolonia is a spot for windsurfers and wingfoilers. There is very little kitesurfing. It works very well from Levante and offers great wave conditions. Watch out for the rocks as you head upwind.
🚗 Parking : vans and motorhomes are allowed to park in winter.
(GPS Point of Los Canos da Meca spot)
Los Caños de Meca is one of the best spots to fall back on when the wind is very strong in Tarifa. It is located on the road to Cadiz. This spot offers great wave conditions and is perfect for kitesurfers who want to jump. However, you’ll need to be experienced to sail here. Watch out for leeward rocks before you jump.
From Levante, the wind is constant and blows side-offshore. By Poniente, the spot is very windless.
🚗 Parking : there is a pay car park close to the spot for all vehicles. There aren’t many parking spaces otherwise.
Palmones is the other spot to fall back to when the wind blows too hard in Tarifa. It lies in the direction of Algeciras. It offers a very constant wind when there’s Levante, with a choppy stretch of water. The spot is located between the liners and Gibraltar, which completely changes the landscape compared to Tarifa.
Please note that the spot is closed from 15 June to 15 September.
In Poniente, the spot doesn’t work.
🚗 Parking : there are several car parks accessible to all vehicles.
What to do if there is no wind in Tarifa?
No wind? No worries! The area around Tarifa is full of outdoor activities.
Mountain biking: There are many natural parks around, making it a huge playground for bike enthusiasts. You can take a leisurely ride or, for the more adventurous, go downhill in the heights of Paloma. Several shops in Tarifa offer equipment rentals.
Hiking: The region is full of natural parks. Put on your best sneakers and go explore! A nice hike is the Buddha trail, which offers an incredible view of the entire Tarifa bay.
Climbing: Still in the heights of Paloma, you can find an outdoor climbing area. Check with the locals or the pros before you start. The spot is pretty amazing (park here), as it overlooks the bay of Tarifa.
Vanlife & Campervans in Tarifa
There are lots of vans in Tarifa, so if you plan to go there in a van, you won’t be alone! Here’s a quick summary of our tips for vanlifers in Tarifa:
Where to find free water for vans in Tarifa and empty wastewater: (GPS Point)
Showers: The most economical and flexible option is to bring a pressure solar shower from Decathlon. You can shower for €5 (Here), or at the municipal pool in Tarifa for €6.
Parking: Regarding parking, there’s space to park for free in Tarifa (more towards the entrance of the town rather than the city center). For vans and campervans, just make sure to check the signs, as some parking areas are prohibited for vehicles over 6 meters long.
Working in Tarifa in a van: There are several coworking spaces in Tarifa where you can pay for the day, week, or month to work. Otherwise, there are also plenty of cafés with good Wi-Fi connection.
Here are the addresses of some great cafés to work from:
The spots to sleep in a van in Tarifa
There are plenty of campsites around Tarifa. If you don’t want to pay for a campsite spot, there are several places where you can stay. In the summer, make sure to read the signs in front of each spot; if it says you can’t stay overnight, don’t settle there, as the Guardia Civil does a lot of checks and you risk getting fined. In winter, the regulations are more flexible, and it’s easier to stay at the spots.
Here are some spots where it was okay to sleep in winter, and where we never had any issues:
The best addresses in Tarifa
🍕 Liame – Delicious pizzas.
🥩 Braseria Vaca Loca – For meat lovers.
🥞 Helena’s Kitchen – Perfect for vegetarians & brunch lovers.
🍛 La Galeria – Amazing Moroccan food.
🥗 Brio Tarifa – Beautiful vegetarian restaurant.
🥐 PASTELITO – A French bakery with incredible croissants & banana bread.
🍻 El Chozo – Enjoy a sunset drink by the sea.
Don’t hesitate to contact us if you’re planning a trip to Tarifa or if you’d like more information about the destination,
And if you want to learn Wingfoil in Fuerteventura go with FuerteWingfoil,
See you soon in winter in Tarifa? And if you’re planning a kite trip to Portugal, you can also visit us at the Óbidos Lagoon. ☺️
See you soon on the water,