Dos Mares (Tarifa)
- Freeride, Wave
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Chop, Small waves
- Spot Type
- Busy
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
For kitesurfing, the spot is described as especially popular with Poniente (W), where conditions are typically side-onshore and consistent. Levante (E) is described as gusty and potentially offshore, with drift-current risk and additional safety implications—some sources emphasize that sessions in Levante should only happen with confidence and/or confirmed rescue support. For windsurfing and wingfoiling, the onsite center and convenient launch are repeatedly highlighted, making it a straightforward place to get on the water.
- Wide sandy launch with clean water reported
- Reliable Tarifa-style wind with bimodal Levante/Poniente system
- Good freeride + wave opportunities depending on wind direction
- Onsite convenience with rentals and equipment support reported
- Wide sandy beach with clean water reported
- Generally reliable high wind for Tarifa style sessions
- Convenient onsite access with established sport infrastructure and rental support
- Good options for freeride and wave styles depending on wind direction
- Gusty/offshore Levante can create drift and safety risk
- Strong shorebreak reported on Poniente and waves can be unsorted
- Seasonal access rules/zones and restrictions are reported, including summer riding separation and windsurfing limits
- Rescue availability described as limited; offshore Levante may require confirmed support
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W
- Offshore directions
- W
- No-go directions
- E, ENE, ESE, SE, SSE
- Wind Range
- 15–35 kts
- Wind Type
- Thermal — Thermal sea-breeze influence is reported, with afternoon reinforcement of Poniente (W) in summer months.
- Reliability
- high
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gustiness reported, especially with Levante conditions.
- Best Months
- March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop, Small waves
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach composition reported.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Small — Small waves reported; kite and wind sessions often see chop as the dominant water state.
- Chop Level
- Heavy chop — Chop conditions reported (and for some sources: moderate to strong shorebreak at Poniente).
- Launch
- Big — Wide sandy beach directly in front of the hotel; summer launch points restricted to designated zones/lanes.
Through the year
Overcrowded in July and August; moderate in peak and more peaceful in winter months (reported).
November to February (reported).
By sport
What to expect for each.
Popular for kitesurfing, particularly with Poniente; Levante can be offshore and requires advanced skills or reliable rescue support.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Excellent freeride and wave conditions, with a convenient launch from the onsite center area. Levante can be gusty; Poniente is side-onshore and generally safer for most riders.
- Sail Sizes
- 4–6.5 m²
Suitable for wingfoiling; reported to become deep enough quickly.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil-friendly conditions reported.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Secondary to wind sports; may still produce rideable beach break waves during strong Poniente winter swells.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- W, NW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Optimal tide described as mid.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed conditions.
- Wind Effect
- Usually blown out by the famous Tarifa winds; best with light or no wind.
- Bigger Swell
- Closes out in very large swells.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Wave quality described as average.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Surf wave power described as moderate.
- Wave Shape
- Mushy — Wave shape described as mushy.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Beach break peaks; peel speed described as medium.
- Ride Length
- Short — Quick beach break peaks that depend heavily on sandbar positions.
- Ride Length Details
- Quick beach break peaks; depends heavily on sandbar positions.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Dos Mares (Tarifa) in the full forecast view.
Dos Mares (Tarifa) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–16 ktsGusts 34 kts
- Direction
- E89°
- Strongest day
- Thu, Oct 2916 kts
- Windy days
- 3/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.3–1.3 m6s period
- Temperature
- 14–24 °C
Over the next 7 days, Dos Mares (Tarifa) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–16 kts, peaking around 16 kts on Thursday, October 29 with gusts to 34 kts. The prevailing direction is E. Waves run 0.3–1.3 m with a period of about 6s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Gusty Levante (accelerated easterly)
- Drift current risk in Levante
- Strong shorebreak at Poniente
- Offshore wind during Levante
- Swimmers
- Buoys
- Congestion in peak season
- No on-site medical/rescue is not guaranteed
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguards are reported as seasonal.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability is described as limited; some sources also note that rescue service may be required/confirmed especially in Levante.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major hospital is reported in Algeciras (Tarifa region). No on-site medical is reported.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — No localism issues reported.
Rules of the spot
Beach access via Dos Mares Hotel area; in summer, riding must stay in designated lanes/channels and avoid swimming zones. Windsurfing is reported as prohibited in July–August in some sources; summer restrictions/zones are also described with date ranges.
- Windsurfing prohibited July and August (reported)
- No riding in swimming zones (reported)
- Strict zone separation in summer (reported)
- Levante is offshore and can be extremely gusty—only ride if you are confident or have confirmed rescue boat availability.
- Poniente is generally more consistent and side-onshore for most riders.
- Wave beginners: Levante drifting risk is the key hazard; watch for drifting.
- In summer, the beach is divided into zones with separated lanes for kiteboarding and windsurfing near the hotel area; use the designated channels.
- Waves can be unsorted/run through chop, and shorebreak can be stronger on Poniente.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Tarifa
- Nearest Town
- Tarifa
- Parking
- Parking at/near the hotel and beach entrance is available but can fill up quickly in summer.
- Access
- Get to the Dos Mares hotel; park and enter the beach (being a guest or restaurant patron is reported). Also mentioned alternative access via Los Lances northern car park.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Hotel Dos Mares is directly on-site, with additional hotels/campsites along the N-340 mentioned.
- Food & Drink
- Onsite restaurant/bar options are reported; beach bar/restaurant at the hotel area.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is reported as available (onsite/center support and rentals through sport infrastructure nearby).
- Gear Storage
- Storage boxes available at the windsurfing center are reported.
- Gear Repair
- Repair shops located in Tarifa town center are reported.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Dos Mares (Tarifa)?
The best overall months at Dos Mares (Tarifa) are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October.
Which wind directions work at Dos Mares (Tarifa)?
Dos Mares (Tarifa) works with W winds. Offshore directions are W. No-go directions are E, ENE, ESE, SE, SSE.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Dos Mares (Tarifa)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Dos Mares (Tarifa): Kitesurfing: 7–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4–6.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–35 kts.
What skill level is Dos Mares (Tarifa) suitable for?
Dos Mares (Tarifa) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner.