The town of Tarifa lies at the southernmost tip of the Iberian Peninsula, in the province of Cádiz in Andalucía, Southern Spain and on the 200km stretch of coastline known as the Costa de la Luz – the Coast of Light. Tarifa is the closest location in Europe to the African continent, separated by the Strait of Gibraltar, just 13km wide at its narrowest point. This narrow channel where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean has both easterly and westerly winds blustering through it at speeds of up to 40 knots. Not surprisingly, location and climate have combined to create the perfect conditions for water sports, earning Tarifa the status of Spain’s surfing capital.
Tarifa’s 20km of beautiful sandy beaches attract water sports enthusiasts from far and wide who are looking to experience Tarifa’s winds and waves, as well as the vibrant town’s bohemian charm. Playa de Los Lances and Playa de Valdevaqueros are the main surfer hotspots, but Costa de la Luz provides many more opportunities and challenges for seasoned surfers as well as the uninitiated. Beginners can test the waters around Los Lances South and Balneario, where there are smaller waves and no rocks.
Although kitesurfing is the most popular water sport in Tarifa, the list of options on offer here is seemingly endless: surfing, windsurfing, wing/wind foiling, parasailing, paddleboarding (SUP), longboarding, bodyboarding, scuba diving, snorkelling… Tarifa and surrounding areas have surf schools aplenty where you can book a lesson or hire equipment. Some offer camps for kids and teenagers, and classes tailored for adventurous seniors too! Diving schools offer discovery and adventure dives as well as PADI courses for all levels.
Here are a few suggestions to get you started on your water sport adventure in and around Tarifa.
Founded in 2013 by Wladimir, aka “Wlady”, after many years as a kitesurf instructor, this popular kitesurfing school is just off Playa de Los Lances, one of Tarifa’s main surfing hubs. Wayuu’s certified and experienced instructors teach classes for beginners through to advanced kitesurfers and offer classes to kids from 10 years old. Choose the set-up that suits you: group (3-4 people), semi-private (2 people, for couples or friends) and private, 2-4 hours per day, for however long you have available. Or you could try out full kitesurf immersion with their Kitecamps. For the more advanced, take your skills to the next level with jumps, strapless kitesurfing, kiteloops and many freestyle tricks. Wayuu also provide Kite supervision for those wanting the extra security of professional eyes whilst they surf. The Wayuu team uses the latest gear from Slingshot and Naish, which can be rented by experienced kitesurfers, and Wlady has even launched his own Wayuu custom boards.
A short stroll up Playa de Los Lances, the Matos kitesurfing team welcomes all levels. Their instructors are certified by the International Kiteboarding Organisation (IKO) and the Andalusian Sailing Federation (FAV), and Matos is the only kitesurfing school in Tarifa that teaches Tiki surfing. Lessons last 2-3 hours ranging from discovery, intermediate, independent, advanced, strapless and Tiki surfing, and you can work towards IKO (International Kitesurfing Organisation) certification. Learners are taught wearing a radio helmet to get instructions in real time. Matos uses top-of-the-range Duotone Evo and Neo kites.
This popular school on Playa de Valdevaqueros has been running since 1988, offering classes and rental for windsurfing, wing foiling and wind foiling. Their multilingual certified instructors teach daily group (max. 4 people) and private lessons for all levels, as well as classes to kids aged 7-12. There are courses for learners wishing to get a VDWS basic license, or 5-day packages including rental.
This five-star PADI dive centre is located in Tarifa’s fishing port with another school in Conil de la Frontera. The Ocean Addicts team are keen to spark a love of the sea in everyone they teach as well as promoting respect for the marine environment. Whatever level you’re at, Ocean Addicts will guide you through each immersion and take delight in watching you become a confident diver. If you’re a total beginner, Ocean Addicts offers discovery dives for adults or kids aged 10+ during which you’ll learn the theory and spend 40 minutes in depths of 6 metres. Once you’ve caught the diving bug, you can embark on a PADI course: open water diver (12+, 3 days, 5 dives at max. 18 metres), advanced open water diver (same as open water course with more challenges!), rescue diver (15+, 3 days, 2 sessions and online training, including emergency first response) or divemaster (18 years+, 2-3 weeks). If you’re an experienced diver, head to the Ocean Addicts centre in Conil de la Frontera where you can explore the beautiful reefs and archaeological sites between Cabo de Roche and Cabo de Trafalgar for a thrilling underwater adventure.
Located southeast of the village just off Playa del Cabo de la Plata, owners Jon and Natalie have been running Zahara Surf for over a decade. There are surf classes for all levels, for adults, kids and teenagers, ranging from one day (up to 4 hours) or tailored to your needs, as well as half-day camps for 6-17 year-olds. Zahara Surf also offers SUP classes (14+), starting with sheltered shallow waters and progressing to open sea where you can navigate waves, practice rowing techniques and enjoy longer excursions. The school is open all year and can provide lessons in Spanish, English, Italian and German.
Just a stone’s throw up the beach, Zahara Red Tuna teaches surfing and SUP, tailoring lessons for groups, individuals or families. Through a combination of balance boards, slackline surfing, surf skating, simulators and other innovative techniques, learners can fast-track their progress and fine-tune their technique. Lessons are offered for kids and adults with an emphasis on fun and a “never stop learning” approach!
A little further along the beach is the Surfit Academy, founded by three local surfers who have been friends since childhood and have travelled the world to catch the perfect wave. Now they are enthusiastically teaching the skills that they have honed over 25 years. Surfit Academy’s instructors are certified by the Federación Española de Surf (FES) and Federación Canaria de Surf (FCS). Lessons in surf and SUP for kids and adults are tailored to any level and Surfit have a designated secure zone in the water for extra safety.
Aventuna Zahara offer a deluge of aquatic adventures and more. Take your pick from surfing, kitesurfing and SUP, snorkelling and skin diving around Tarifa’s Isla de las Palomas, and scuba diving (basic, advanced, rescue and divemaster courses). You can also book a tour in a motorboat or sailboat to watch dolphins and whales or try out a spot of fishing. Back on dry land, choose between two or four wheels or four hooves to explore the area: options include mountain biking, quads or horseback riding (group, private and customisable treks) on the beach. Aventuna can also organise kayaking trips around Sancti Petri which is further up the coast towards Chiclana de la Frontera.
Even for the spectator, there’s plenty to entertain you here. You can marvel at the seasoned surfers doing their tricks or watch beginners taking their first tentative steps. Or to see the real experts in action, Tarifa hosts some fantastic international competitions, including two in the month of May: GWA Tarifa Wing Pro and Full Power Tarifa – part of the Big Air Kite League (BAKL) and a qualifier for the GKA Big Air World Championship. You’ll be enthralled by these aquatic acrobats who defy gravity and make this thrilling water sport seem as effortless as child’s play!
If you’ve always wanted to give water sports a go or would like to improve your skills, our team at Tarifa Mountain Resorts would be delighted to help you choose and book the best lessons for you and your family. You can contact us at: +34 609 184 646
