Surfing guide for Tarifa Spain

Information on courses, beaches, locations, repair services & schools in Tarifa

Some of Spain's best surfing spots are situated in between Tarifa and Cadiz on the Costa de la Luz.

Storms in the Atlantic ocean are causing the swell reaching the Spanish Atlantic coast. This is why the best months to find good waves are between October and May, when the stroms are more frequent.

On good days you'll encounter waves up to 3m. The best days are when the Levante wind changes to Poniente wind and the water is going to be glassy. Windless days are rare, but always better for the wave conditions.

In your quiver you should at least have two boards for the Costa de la Luz:

• Fish or Mini-Malibu
• Shortboard (6.0 - 6.8)

Surf-Spots in Tarifa and at the Costa de la Luz

Surf spot Playa Los Lances, Tarifa

Most surfers in Tarifa stay on the city beach Los Lances, on the right side of the Isla La Paloma. The swell usually gets forced into this corner of the bay and breaks smoothly in a proper beach break.

These waves are not very high, but they're great for learning and improving your skills. Rising tide is the best time to go surfing here.

Parking is no problem along the beach promenade.

Surf spot Hotel Hurricane, Tarifa

Another great spot is next to the Hurricane Hotel within the bay, when the waves are too chaotic at Playa Los Lances.

The rocky ground in the water makes the wave break earlier. At low tide it's possible that the stones stick out of the water, so we recommend to go here at higher tide.

Park your car directly at the spot at the Club Mistral surf station on the left side of the Hurricane Hotel.

Surf spot Punta Paloma, Tarifa

The Punta Paloma is situated at the right end of the Tarifa bay, where the large sand dune is. It never gets crowded here.

The Spanish call this spot also Benavides. Even the way to this beach is a nice experience. Take the little path from the public parking behind the dune through the pine woods and cross some smaller sand dunes until you see this liitle beach with stones in the water on the left and right.

In between these rocks is where the waves break perfectly on days with a bit a bit of southern swell.

Surf spot El Palmar, Costa de la Luz

El Palmar is the beach with the most surfable days in the year. It's situated about 60km from Tarifa further up the Costa de la Luz. Some surf schools offer beginners courses and rent the surf material.

Andalusia's epicenter of surfing is El Palmar, it attracts locals from near and far, especially at the weekends. But the beach is long enough for everyone and peaks are plenty at this beach break.

We recommend to surf El Palmar preferebly with lower tides. That's when it works best and provides waves about shoulder high.

Surf spot Caños de Meca, Costa de la Luz

Another great spot is Caños de Meca , about 8km in the south of El Palmar. The waves breaks 70m from the shore at a reef right infront of the touristric urbanisation "Playa del Estrecho".

Stones make the entrance to the water a bit difficult here. Cuts in your feet will be unavoidable, unless you wear neoprene shoes.

This wave can be the longest ride on good days when the swell direction is perfect.

Surf school and surf lessons in Tarifa and Andalusia

Tarifa and the Costa de la Luz provide excellent conditions to learn surfing. It's always recommendable to get some first instructions in a surf school, so you learn about safety aspects and basic knowledge.

After the beginners course you have to practice, practice, practice... ;-)

Surfing is not a sport to be learned within 2 weeks of holidays. It takes many years to be a really good surfer. But loads of fun, an intense physical challenge and an impressive natural experience is what you get from the very first day on.

Here our recommendations where to learn surfing in Andalusia:

Oceano Surf School, El Palmar

• Avda. Playa del Palmar
• 11500 El Palmar
• Tel.: (0034) 956 440 045

Distance	65km von Tarifa
Time to drive	ca. 45min
Instructors	Qualified after the standard of FES and BSA, lifeguards
Languages	German, English, Spanish
Season	October til June
Services	Surf lessons for beginners and advanced surfers, rental/sales, surf trips
Directions	Take the N340 in direction Cádiz, Exit Vejer, Salida 36 to El Palmar
Kontakt	Oceano Surf School

Prices surf school

Beginner lesson	1,5 hours 29,00 € / 3 hours 55,00 € / 4,5 hours 80,00 €
Advanced lesson	5 days (morning sessions with Pro instructor) 150,00 €
Private lesson	continuing from your existing skills, 1,5 hours 75,00 €

Surfvideo of beaches at the Costa de la Luz

(found on Youtube.com)