El Tamarindo (La Unión)
- Freeride, Wave
- Best for
- Intermediate to Advanced
- Skill Level
- Chop, Small waves
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
El Tamarindo (La Unión) is a low-profile kitesurfing spot on the eastern side of El Salvador’s Gulf of Fonseca, characterized by a medium-sized sandy beach and clean, choppy water with small waves. The beach provides space for rigging, particularly in the dry season, and conditions are typically calm enough to enjoy uninterrupted sessions—provided riders are prepared for wind direction and limited infrastructure. The key wind feature is strong North wind (Nortes). Across the best season (notably November through May, with January–June and also November–December highlighted), the wind commonly falls in the 15–30 knots range. Kite sessions are often described as strongest either early morning or late afternoon, aligning with how the Nortes tend to build and with the broader dry-season pattern. Safety planning is important here. Sources flag offshore wind characteristics, plus fishing boats and nets near shore as practical hazards. There is no organized rescue service described, so riders should be self-sufficient—e.g., carry a communication device or ride with/arrange a spotter—while also avoiding interference with local artisanal fishing activity. Overall, the vibe is tranquil and uncrowded, with the beach reported as never crowded year-round. Amenities are basic (parking and small food options), and visitors should plan around budget travel and self-management of gear and sessions due to limited specialized services in the immediate area.
- Strong North wind (Nortes) on a sandy beach
- Clean water with chop and small waves
- Uncrowded, low-profile beach setting
- Offshore wind pattern—self-sufficiency recommended
- Very warm conditions
- North wind (Nortes) with a working range commonly around 15–30 knots.
- Clean water with small waves and medium-sized sandy beach.
- Low crowding year-round.
- Offshore wind pattern increases self-sufficiency requirements.
- Underdeveloped area with limited formal wind-sport infrastructure.
- Choppy water can be uncomfortable for less experienced riders.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N
- Offshore directions
- N
- Wind Range
- 15–30 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — North winds associated with dry-season influence; locally described as Nortes.
- Reliability
- medium
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- January, February, March, April, May, June, November, December
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop, Small waves
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Small waves
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Choppy conditions reported
- Launch
- Big — Wide sandy beach with ample space for rigging during the dry season.
Through the year
Low crowd levels year-round; busiest during local holidays like Easter and Christmas.
May to October
By sport
What to expect for each.
A low-profile, small-wave sandy beach with chop and clean water; often used for freeride and wave riding during the Nortes (North wind) season. Sessions tend to be less crowded than mainstream El Salvador spots.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Foil-friendly in deeper sections of the bay; wind can be offshore depending on conditions.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for El Tamarindo (La Unión) in the full forecast view.
El Tamarindo (La Unión) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–6 ktsGusts 13 kts
- Direction
- ENE74°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 246 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.7–1.0 m12s period
- Temperature
- 23–32 °C
Over the next 7 days, El Tamarindo (La Unión) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–6 kts, peaking around 6 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 13 kts. The prevailing direction is ENE. Waves run 0.7–1.0 m with a period of about 12s. 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
- offshore wind
- fishing boats
- nets
- offshore wind pattern (self-sufficiency important)
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — No dedicated kite/windsurf rescue services described; local fishermen may be available and nearby services exist in the Gulf.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major medical facility cited as Hospital Nacional de La Unión in La Unión city; national emergency number 911. No organized kite/windsurf rescue service described.
Rules of the spot
Be mindful of local fishing activity; avoid blocking access for artisanal boats and stay aware of the shoreline with fishing boats and nets. Some sources indicate you may need a special permit or membership via a local kite organization.
- Best wind is from the North; strong conditions are often strongest in the dry season.
- Catch the North wind in early morning or late afternoon.
- Because there is no organized rescue service described, carry a communication device or ensure you have a spotter.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- San Miguel
- Nearest Town
- El Jagüey
- Parking
- Limited parking available near local restaurants and small hotels.
- Access
- Get to El Tamarindo, about 60km southeast of San Miguel. Accessible via the coastal road from San Miguel or La Unión.
- Cost Level
- Budget
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Small local guesthouses and basic beach hotels.
- Food & Drink
- Local comedores serving fresh seafood and pupusas.
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 El Tamarindo (La Unión)?
The best overall months at El Tamarindo (La Unión) are January, February, March, April, May, June, November, December.
Which wind directions work at El Tamarindo (La Unión)?
El Tamarindo (La Unión) works with N winds. Offshore directions are N.
What equipment sizes are recommended at El Tamarindo (La Unión)?
Recommended equipment sizes at El Tamarindo (La Unión): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m². The typical wind range is 15–30 kts.
What skill level is El Tamarindo (La Unión) suitable for?
El Tamarindo (La Unión) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate to Advanced · Wingfoiling: Advanced.