Tarifa – Los Lances
Tarifa, Andalusia, Spain
Sports: Kitesurfing, Wingfoiling, Windsurfing, Surfing, Surf foiling, Parawing
Best time to go: June–September
Los Lances is the long sandy beach running west from Tarifa town, at the southern tip of Spain where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean. The Strait of Gibraltar funnels two main winds through here. The easterly Levante is the stronger and gustier of the two and blows side-offshore at Los Lances, so it suits confident riders and calls for extra care. The westerly Poniente is usually cooler, steadier and side-onshore, which makes it the friendlier choice for winging and parawinging.
The water ranges from small chop close in to rolling swell on bigger Atlantic days, and the sandy bottom makes launching easy. In July and August the beach is very busy, and swimming zones near shore are closed to wind sports, so use the marked launch corridors. Summer is the windiest and most popular season, but spring and autumn bring good sessions with far fewer people. Tidal currents in the Strait can be strong, so avoid drifting far offshore.
Month by month at Tarifa – Los Lances
- January: 14 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 13 knots, waves 1.4 m, water 17°C, air 16°C (nights 11°C), 25 sunny days, 11 rainy days
- February: 14 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 14 knots, waves 1.4 m, water 16°C, air 17°C (nights 12°C), 23 sunny days, 9 rainy days
- March: 16 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 13 knots, waves 1.4 m, water 16°C, air 17°C (nights 12°C), 25 sunny days, 15 rainy days
- April: 12 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 12 knots, waves 1.1 m, water 17°C, air 20°C (nights 14°C), 28 sunny days, 6 rainy days
- May: 10 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 0.8 m, water 18°C, air 23°C (nights 16°C), 30 sunny days, 5 rainy days
- June: 9 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 12 knots, waves 0.8 m, water 21°C, air 27°C (nights 19°C), 30 sunny days, 3 rainy days
- July: 9 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 0.7 m, water 22°C, air 30°C (nights 21°C), 31 sunny days, 0 rainy days
- August: 6 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 0.6 m, water 22°C, air 30°C (nights 22°C), 31 sunny days, 1 rainy day
- September: 9 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 12 knots, waves 0.8 m, water 21°C, air 26°C (nights 20°C), 29 sunny days, 4 rainy days
- October: 12 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 12 knots, waves 0.9 m, water 21°C, air 24°C (nights 18°C), 27 sunny days, 9 rainy days
- November: 9 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 1 m, water 19°C, air 20°C (nights 14°C), 27 sunny days, 7 rainy days
- December: 10 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 1.1 m, water 18°C, air 17°C (nights 12°C), 25 sunny days, 11 rainy days
When is the best time to go kitesurfing, wingfoiling, windsurfing & parawing at Tarifa – Los Lances?
June–September, the well-known local wind season (weather models underestimate the local winds here).
When is the best time to go surfing & surf foiling at Tarifa – Los Lances?
January–March, when the waves are biggest.
How warm is the water at Tarifa – Los Lances?
16°C to 22°C over the year: a shorty or lycra in the warmest month, a 4/3 full suit in the coolest.
How windy is Tarifa – Los Lances?
About 130 days a year with at least 2 hours of 15+ knots in the daytime, most in March.
Figures from 5 years of weather data (Open-Meteo).
Spots near Tarifa – Los Lances
- Cádiz – Valdevaqueros (6 km)
- Bolonia (13 km)
- Lagos – Meia Praia (296 km)
More: All spots in Spain · Kitesurfing in Spain · Wingfoiling in Spain · Windsurfing in Spain · Surfing in Spain · Surf foiling in Spain · Parawing in Spain
Compare with: Lagos – Meia Praia vs Tarifa – Los Lances · Costa da Caparica – Fonte da Telha vs Tarifa – Los Lances