Spain
Playa Costa Cabana is a kitesurfing spot located near Almeria in Andalusia, on the Costa Tropical. This wide pebble beach offers generous space to set up and ride, with a dedicated channel for launching that allows for practice even in high season when other beaches are off-limits.
The spot is popular for its optimal conditions with the Levante wind, and it even attracts riders from Tarifa. For the Poniente, Retamar is just a few minutes' drive away. The water is crystal clear and the setting is pleasant with hotels and restaurants nearby.
It is a reliable spot year-round, especially in spring and summer for quiet sessions away from the crowds.
Les données de vent affichées ici proviennent d’ERA5 (via Open-Meteo) sur 4 ans, retraitées pour refléter des conditions réalistes.
👉 Le vent moyen a été calibré pour éviter la sous-estimation habituelle des modèles.
👉 Les rafales ont été corrigées par un ratio médian afin d’éviter des valeurs extrêmes irréalistes.
👉 Chaque jour est résumé par le vent médian (P50) observé pendant les heures utiles (8h–20h), puis classé dans des plages de vent.
👉 Le mode pondéré mélange vent moyen et rafales pour refléter au mieux le vent ressenti.
chopchopThe spot works best with the Levante coming in side-shore from the east, perfect for bump and jump on a choppy water surface. The west-east oriented beach is well exposed to the wind, with easy launching via the designated channel that avoids the pebbles and allows for safe takeoff even when there are many bathers in summer.
The riding area extends wide in front of the beach, with space for freeride and jumps, without tidal influence as it is independent of the tide. Be careful to stay in the channel area to avoid being drifted by the side-shore. In Poniente (west-southwest), it is more onshore but still rideable, although Retamar is preferred for flat conditions.
Typical winds range from 15 to 25 knots, with possible gusts, ideal for dynamic sessions. The space is spacious on the pebble beach, but keep the kite away from the stone piers.
Ideal conditions are with Levante side-shore at 15-25 knots for perfect chop and jumps. Avoid winds that are too strong as they increase drift.
The water surface is typically choppy with small waves for bump and jump, and crystal clear. A strong Poniente can create more pronounced waves, but nothing huge.
Currents are generally weak at this spot independent of the tide. Watch for drift with the side-shore wind from the Levante that can push towards risky areas.
Opt for 8-9 m² sizes in medium wind, 10-11 m² in light wind, or 12-13 m² for low wind days. Adjust according to your weight and style.
The prevailing winds are Levante (east) and Poniente (west-southwest), with average strengths of 15 to 25 knots. The Levante offers regular conditions in spring and summer, while the Poniente is stronger from February to June.
The spot has a good percentage of windy days year-round, particularly from spring to autumn.
The Mediterranean climate of Almeria is mild year-round, with spring temperatures around 20-25°C and summer temperatures exceeding 30°C. Winters are mild around 15-18°C, making the spot usable for 12 months.
Spring and summer are the key seasons for stable wind, while autumn remains reliable with little rain.
The depth is gradual with a bottom of pebbles and sand. You can ride quickly in deep water, with no persistent shallow areas.
In summer, the water reaches 22-25°C for a shorty. In spring and autumn, plan for a 3/2 mm wetsuit around 18-20°C. Winter is around 15-17°C.
