Tarifa - Dos Mares
Spain
Tarifa
Dos Mares is a kitesurfing spot located on Los Lances Norte beach, in Tarifa, Andalusia. It is near the hotel of the same name and the landing strip, on this long sandy beach that stretches for several kilometers.
It is a convenient place with nearby parking, accessible from the national road to Cadiz. Riders come here to enjoy the two main winds of Tarifa in a spacious setting.
In the summer season, the beach is zoned with an expanded kite area between the Dos Mares hotel and the Waves Beach Bar, followed by a channel for boats and a training area.
The wind data shown here comes from ERA5 (via Open-Meteo) over 4 years, reprocessed to reflect realistic conditions.
👉 Average wind has been calibrated to avoid the usual underestimation of models.
👉 Gusts have been corrected by a median ratio to avoid unrealistic extreme values.
👉 Each day is summarized by the median wind (P50) observed during useful hours (8am–8pm), then classified into wind ranges.
👉 The weighted mode mixes average wind and gusts to best reflect felt wind.
- 🟢 10–16 kts: light but sailable wind (especially on foil).
- 🟡 16–22 kts: ideal range, comfortable conditions for most.
- 🔴 22–28 kts: strong wind, reserved for experienced riders.
- 🟣 28+ kts: extreme conditions, committed riding.
Location & Points of interest
Useful information
chopchopThe Dos Mares spot mainly works with the Poniente (West), a side-on or side-shore wind coming from the sea that offers ideal conditions with chop and small waves. With this dominant wind, launching is easy on the wide sandy beach, and the navigation area extends widely offshore without too many restrictions in the low season.
For the Levante (East), the wind is side-offshore and steeper, with gusts, making navigation more technical but offering a flat water surface near the shore without shorebreak waves. In summer, respect the marked areas: kite zone between Dos Mares and the runway, then channel to avoid, and school area further north towards Aqua Beach Bar.
The beach is about 100m wide, with plenty of space in the low season. Launching from the ground on dry sand, be cautious of seaweed in the south depending on the season. The water state varies little with the tides, always navigable. Take a rescue card for the offshore Levante, service provided by the 'Sea Angels' in summer.
Ideal conditions are with a Poniente from West to W-NW, between 15 and 25 knots, constant side-on for stress-free waves and freestyle sessions.
Avoid too strong Levante winds (>30 knots) if you are not comfortable with offshore.
The water state is typically choppy with small waves under Poniente, ideal for freestyle and jumps. Under Levante, it becomes flat near the shore, perfect for beginners in the dedicated area.
Moderate shorebreak depending on the swell, but the sandy beach makes entry and exit easy.
Currents are generally weak on this exposed beach. However, be cautious of the boat channel located south of the kite area, where the current can accelerate.
Tides have little impact on navigation, but check the marked areas in summer.
Opt for sizes from 9 to 11m² in moderate Poniente for chop and small waves. In strong and gusty Levante, go down to 7-9m² for control.
In summer thermal, a 10-12m² is suitable for afternoon winds around 20 knots.
The wind regime at Dos Mares relies on two main winds: the Poniente (West), constant and powerful all year round, side-on from the sea, and the Levante (East), more thermal in summer afternoons up to 20 knots, side-offshore and gusty.
The Poniente is preferred for its consistent conditions, while the Levante dominates in spring and summer with often high strength.
Tarifa enjoys a mild Mediterranean climate with over 300 days of wind per year. Temperatures range from 15°C in winter to 30°C in summer, with cool evenings even in high season.
The best months for kiting are all, from January to December, thanks to the consistency of the Poniente and Levante winds.
The depth is gradual with a mostly sandy bottom. You can stand at a good distance from the shore, making it easy for all levels to launch.
The water remains cool in winter around 15-17°C, ideal with a 5/4 wetsuit. In summer, it rises to 20-23°C, a 3/2 is often sufficient.
Spring and autumn offer 18-20°C, perfect for a shorty.