Welcome to Tarifa, the kitesurfing paradise!
🌊 Located at the southernmost tip of Spain, between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, Tarifa is a must-visit destination for all kitesurfing enthusiasts.
With its strong winds, vast sandy beaches, and diverse spots, it’s the perfect place to improve your skills and enjoy unforgettable sessions.
👉 Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or advanced rider, each kite spot has its own unique features.
In this guide, discover the best kitesurfing spots in Tarifa, their characteristics, and our tips for riding safely.
💨 Want to check wind stats and the best times to kite in Tarifa? Take a look at our dedicated guide to Tarifa’s wind conditions.
Balnéario is one of the most iconic spots in Tarifa, known for freestyle, big air, and strapless. Located just across from the old town, it stretches from the breakwater of Las Palomas Island to a small group of rocks to the west.
⚠️ Attention: Beyond these rocks, buildings create a wind shadow area where the wind becomes unstable.
With only 150 meters of beach, Balnéario is a playground for advanced riders. It hosts major competitions like the Full Power Tarifa and the GKA, attracting the best kitesurfers from around the world. Thanks to the breakwater overlooking the spot, it’s also one of the most photogenic locations in Tarifa, offering spectacular angles to capture tricks and massive jumps.
🚀 Levante Wind (off-shore) → Only for advanced & expert riders
⛔ No kitesurfing from June 15 to September 15
🚤 No rescue boat service on site
👉 A highly technical, challenging, and spectacular spot, reserved for experienced kitesurfers looking for adrenaline!
With Levante, the spot is completely off-shore, with a perfectly flat water surface and small, clean waves arriving regularly, providing the perfect kicker for launching into the air.
With Poniente, it’s usually a bit of a mess, but when there’s a good swell, some beautiful waves can form, making it a great spot for a nice strapless kitesurfing session or just surfing.
Welcome to Los Lances Norte, the year-round kitesurf spot! Perfect for beginner kite surfers as well as experienced riders, it offers a vast playground with over 4 km of fine sandy beach, stretching from Rio Jara to Arte Vida (Punta de la Peña).
🏄♂️ School zone & free kite zone: The beach is divided into two well-defined areas, with a separation located in front of the Agua chiringuito.
💨 Levante & Poniente wind: Works perfectly with both wind directions. In summer, a thermal wind can strengthen the Poniente, adding a few extra knots.
🍹 Relaxation after the session: Two chiringuitos, Agua and Wave Bar, welcome you to enjoy the sunset and a good kitesurfing vibe.
🚘 Large parking nearby
🚤 Rescue boat service (Lances Norte side) available depending on the season:
March to May: 11am – 6pm
June to September: 11am – 8pm
October: 11am – 7pm
November to February: 11am – 5pm
✅ Recommended level: All levels
👉 An accessible and dynamic spot, perfect for learning, progressing, or simply enjoying a great session under the Tarifa sun!
By Levante, the wind orientation is side / side-offshore, with a flat water surface. The ideal spot to rig your gear is on the left side of the area where the kite schools set up their flags, or further up towards Rio Jara to find more consistent and steady wind.
Don’t forget your rescue card in case of any issues.
Perfect side-on orientation, sometimes with nice waves. Also, in the summer, the wind is often complemented by an additional thermal, much to our delight.
Los Lances Sur is a kitesurf spot perfect for all levels, offering a varied and accessible environment. Located to the south of Los Lances Beach, it extends from the Balnéario spot to the Rio Jara.
This spot is great for free kitesurfing, accessible from September 15 to June 15. During the peak summer season, the beach is reserved for bathers and other activities. Poniente days are the best for enjoying this location. In March and September, during the equinoxes, the sea floods the beach, creating a shallow lagoon called La Charca, offering an exceptional flat spot!
🚫 Attention: Do not navigate in the bird protection nature reserve, opposite Rio Jara, under penalty of fines.
🌬 Poniente wind (on-shore) → Suitable for all levels ⛔ Kitesurfing prohibited from June 15 to September 15
👉 An accessible spot, perfect for beginners as well as more advanced riders, with a unique experience to enjoy during the high tides!
By Levante, the wind orientation is side off-shore, which typically creates a very calm sea (large flat). However, the Lances Sur spot area is in the wind shadow of the city, which creates windless zones and makes navigation difficult.
Make sure to carry your rescue card with you in case of problems.
Perfect with West wind, several parking areas along the city of Tarifa.
The beach is large, a versatile kitesurf spot where you can walk to from the center of Tarifa.
Valdevaqueros is one of Europe’s most beautiful beaches, located just 10 minutes by car from the center of Tarifa. It is very popular among kitesurfers, windsurfers, and bathers during the summer.
⚠️ Attention: The beach is relatively narrow in some areas, so choose your launch zone carefully. In Levante winds, the breeze can be unstable and gusty near the shore.
Kitesurfing is allowed year-round at this iconic spot. However, from June 15 to September 15, designated areas are allocated for kitesurfing, windsurfing, and bathing.
🅿️ Facilities & Services
Valdevaqueros has several parking areas and beach bars (chiringuitos) where you can relax after a session. Some of the most popular are: Tangana, Tumbao, Bibo, and Volare.
💨 Conditions & Required Level: Suitable for all levels
⚠️ Designated kitesurfing areas from June 15 to September 15
🚤 Rescue boats available:
From March to May: 11 AM to 6 PM
From June to September: 11 AM to 8 PM
October: 11 AM to 7 PM
November to February: 11 AM to 5 PM
👉 An accessible spot offering perfect conditions for all levels, with a pleasant experience thanks to well-developed infrastructure.
The wind is generally a bit stronger in Levante at Valdevaqueros than at Los Lances. The water is flat to slightly choppy in the summer. One of the most popular kitesurfing spots in Tarifa during the summer.
Valdevaqueros offers great sessions with Poniente winds.
However, if the wind is slightly north-west, it can be disturbed by the relief of the Punta Paloma dune, making the water entry more difficult.
Located at the northern tip of Los Lances, Arte Vida is a spot loved for its natural setting and specific conditions.
⚠ Attention: The beach is narrower, so be cautious when launching your kite. The bottom is mostly sandy, but there are also rocky areas towards the north of the spot.
Arte Vida is a spot dedicated to wave lovers, accessible year-round. However, it only works with Poniente wind (west), making sessions especially interesting for experienced riders.
🅿️ Infrastructure & Access
A large parking lot is available near the Arte Vida hotel, providing easy access to the spot.
💨 Conditions & Level Required
🌬 Poniente wind (on-shore) → Ideal for waves
✅ Kitesurfing allowed year-round
🔹 Recommended level: Independent advanced riders, strapless enthusiasts
👉 A technical and wild spot, perfect for kitesurfers seeking waves and strong sensations!
Except in the rare case of a South-East oriented Levante, Arte Vida is completely wind-shadowed and unstable with Levante. Therefore, it should be avoided with this wind direction.
With a Side-On orientation of Poniente, Arte Vida is perfect for wave sessions when a good swell from the Atlantic joins the action.
Caños de Meca is one of the best alternative spots when the Levante wind gets too strong in Tarifa. Located 45 minutes away, towards Cádiz, just past Barbate, it offers a perfect backup option to keep riding in more manageable conditions.
🏝️ Launching area: Sandy beach but rocky seabed – be cautious during low tide sessions.
🌊 A playground for strapless & big air: Well-formed waves and natural kickers for boosting jumps.
🍹 A great atmosphere: Several bars and restaurants nearby to relax after your session.
💨 Conditions & Recommended Level
✔ Works only in strong Levante (generally 5 to 10 knots less than in Tarifa but with steadier wind).
✔ Kitesurfing is allowed all year round.
⚠ Beware of the downwind zone, where a large rocky area can make recovery difficult. Strong upwind riding skills are essential.
✅ Recommended level: Independent & experienced riders
👉 A wild kitesurfing spot, perfect for wave riders looking for thrills!
Perfect in strong Levante, offering stable conditions and nice waves depending on the tides.
Generally 10 to 15 knots weaker than in Tarifa, due to a reduced Venturi effect.
Works well with full West wind, but the spot becomes gusty and inconsistent with North-West Poniente.
Getares is a backup spot located east of Tarifa, about 20 minutes by car, just before reaching Algeciras. It’s the perfect alternative when the Levante wind gets too strong in Tarifa.
🌬️ Milder Wind: Usually 10 to 15 knots weaker than in Tarifa, making it ideal when Levante is blowing over 40 knots.
🌊 On-Shore to Side On-Shore Orientation with nice waves, perfect for strapless riders.
🚘 Large parking area nearby
🍽️ Bars and restaurants right by the spot for a post-session break
⛔ Kitesurfing banned from June 15 to September 15
✅ Recommended Level: Independent kitesurfers to experts
👉 A great alternative when Tarifa gets too intense, offering fun wave-riding conditions for surfkite enthusiasts!
To be used when Levante exceeds 35 knots in Tarifa.
Stable wind with a Side-On to On-Shore orientation.
Does not work with Poniente.
Palmones is another backup spot, located 30 minutes from Tarifa, heading towards Algeciras. With a stunning view of the Rock of Gibraltar and cargo ships at dock, it offers the perfect alternative when Levante exceeds 35 knots in Tarifa.
🌬️ Softer Wind: Typically 10 to 15 knots less than in Tarifa, with a Side-On wind direction and a flat water surface, ideal for sailing.
🏝️ Sandy Beach: Long but relatively narrow, providing easy access to the water.
🛠️ Practical Information
🚘 Two parking areas nearby.
🍹 Bars on-site for a relaxing break after your session.
⛔ Kitesurfing prohibited from June 15 to September 15.
✅ Recommended Level: All levels.
👉 A safe and accessible spot, perfect for riding when Tarifa gets too extreme!
Even though the spot is less beautiful than the perfect beaches of Tarifa, it serves as a good backup when Levante blows too strong in Tarifa.
Does not work with Poniente.
You’ve spotted the best kitesurfing spots in Tarifa… how about we help you make the most of them? 🤙
Whether you’re looking to improve your technique, discover new spots safely, or boost your progression, our coaching sessions are made for you!
🔥 Why choose Matos Tarifa coaching?
✅ Personalized coaching: tailored to your level and goals.
✅ Detailed analysis and tips to ride with more confidence.
✅ Guidance on the best spots depending on the conditions of the day.
👉 Join us and level up your kitesurfing!
📅 Book your coaching now and ride like never before in Tarifa!
Tarifa is one of the few places where kitesurfing in Off-Shore wind is allowed, thanks to the rescue services available every day during Levante wind.
Matos Tarifa works with the SEA RESCUE company to ensure your safety during kitesurfing lessons. The rescue service is included in the price of the lessons.
If you are an independent kitesurfer, be sure to get your rescue card. Valid for the entire season, it fits under your wetsuit and will be required in case of intervention.
The rescue service operates on the Los Lances Norte and Valdevaqueros spots every day of Levante wind, during the following hours:
March to May: 11am – 6pm
June to September: 11am – 8pm
October: 11am – 7pm
November to February: 11am – 5pm
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