{"id":75053,"date":"2023-03-07T10:35:11","date_gmt":"2023-03-07T09:35:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/visitanddo_1790.test\/?p=75053"},"modified":"2026-09-30T23:06:36","modified_gmt":"2026-09-30T21:06:36","slug":"what-to-do-at-tariff-with-levante-wind","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/what-to-do-at-tariff-with-levante-wind\/","title":{"rendered":"What to do in Tarifa with an easterly wind"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

The levante does not ruin your day in Tarifa: it changes the plan.<\/strong> And there is a place in town that exists for exactly that reason.<\/p>\n

What to do when it blows, where to find shelter and why summer is the worst season if you wanted a peaceful beach.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\ud83c\udf2c\ufe0f First, what hardly anyone gets right<\/h2>\n

The levante blows MORE in summer<\/strong>, not less. The opposite of what many guides say.<\/p>\n

The months with the most levante are June to September.<\/strong> In spring and autumn it alternates with the gentler, more humid poniente.<\/p>\n

So if you come in August to lie on your towel<\/strong>, expect a fair chance of sand in your face. And if you come to sail, August is your month.<\/p>\n\n

Why it blows so hard here<\/h3>\n

It is a funnel effect.<\/strong> Air comes from the Mediterranean, meets the bottleneck formed by the Spanish and Moroccan coasts, compresses and accelerates<\/strong>. It reaches Tarifa much stronger than it would over the open sea.<\/p>\n

It is dry and warm<\/strong>, leaves clear skies and can last several days in a row<\/strong> without a break.<\/p>\n\n

\ud83c\udfd6\ufe0f Where locals go when it blows: Playa Chica<\/h2>\n

This is missing from almost every guide, yet it is the best answer to the question.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Playa Chica is a small beach formed when the breakwater was built<\/strong> that connects Tarifa to Isla de las Palomas. Its position means it is sheltered from the levante<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

This is where the locals go<\/strong> on windy days, when lying on Los Lances and Valdevaqueros is out of the question.<\/p>\n

And there is more:<\/strong> this is where diving schools hold introductory dives<\/strong>, because the rocky seabed here is among the best in the Strait for snorkelling. Bring a wetsuit<\/strong>: the water is cold even in summer.<\/p>\n

It is a short walk from the centre. A real alternative if you planned a beach day and the levante ruined it.<\/em><\/p>\n\n

\ud83e\ude81 If you want to make the most of the wind<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Kitesurfing<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Tarifa is Europe\u2019s kitesurfing capital<\/strong>, and days of sustained levante are the most eagerly awaited of the season.<\/p>\n\n\n
Sport<\/th>Where<\/th>In strong levante winds<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n
Kitesurfing<\/strong><\/td>Valdevaqueros, Los Lances<\/td>Small kite and instructor<\/td><\/tr>\n
Windsurfing<\/strong><\/td>Los Lances<\/td>Experience required<\/td><\/tr>\n
Surfing<\/strong><\/td>Los Lances (beginning), Punta Paloma<\/td>Depends on the day<\/td><\/tr>\n
Wingfoiling<\/strong><\/td>Valdevaqueros<\/td>Works well in gusty winds<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Valdevaqueros is about a ten-minute drive from the centre<\/strong> and is home to most schools.<\/p>\n

If you have never tried it:<\/strong> in strong levante winds, the difference between a good session and a bad experience comes down to a smaller kite and an instructor beside you<\/strong>. This is not the day to learn alone.<\/p>\n

And wingfoiling<\/strong> \u2014a handheld wing and a hydrofoil board\u2014 copes best with gusty days, which explains its growth here.<\/p>\n\n

\ud83c\udff0 The castle also offers shelter from the wind<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Guzm\u00e1n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Guzm\u00e1n el Bueno Castle dates from the 10th century<\/strong>, and its walls do exactly what you need: block the levante<\/strong> along much of the route.<\/p>\n

The towers overlook the Strait and the African coast.<\/strong> Its name comes from the story of Alonso P\u00e9rez de Guzm\u00e1n, who defended the town at the cost of his son\u2019s life.<\/p>\n

It is the best midday option<\/strong> when the wind keeps you out of the water: outdoors, yet sheltered.<\/p>\n\n

\ud83d\udc2c Europe\u2019s southern tip: what you need to know<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Isla<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u26a0\ufe0f Isla de las Palomas: no ferry and no unrestricted entry<\/h3>\n

This needs clarifying because incorrect information circulates.<\/strong><\/p>\n