Travel

This small fishing village, not known to anyone 20 years ago, now became one of the most popular kitesurfing destinations in the world. With the best services and permanent winds to offer, Tarifa is well used by many pro kiters, but can be suitable for beginners too. “The windy capital of Europe”, as it is being called, relies on its two prevailing winds, the Poniente from the West and the Levante from the East, and boasts over 300 days of wind a year. The Poniente ranges from 8 to 25 knots of generally constant wind, where as the Levante can be anything from a constant 20 to an extremely gusty 55 knots. 2 major kitesurfing beaches are Los Lances and Valdevaqueros, as other beaches with beach restrictions for kiters between June and September. Los Lances is good for kiting on the Poniente and often brings swell from the Atlantic, attracting surfers as much as kiteboarders. Valdevaqueros can be kited on both winds but is recommended for the Levante, as this wind is cross-off shore and the sweeping dunes of Punta Paloma and coast line out to the point give the rider the security of land down wind.

With the two prevailing winds giving such different conditions, Tarifa offers a an opportunity to be riding the flat waters of Valdevaqueros in a strong Levante on one day, and the next you can be surfing 2 meter waves at Los Lances. For the same reason Tarifa is a wonderful place for experienced kiters, as some conditions can be challenging for beginners.

Besides the benefits of wind, It has breathtaking scenery of deserts, forests and the mountains, virgin beaches with view to Africa, and of course, great food and night life!