Río Algar (Altea)
- Freeride, Shortboard
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Small waves, Mixed
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Río Algar (at the river mouth near Cap Negret in Altea) is primarily a reef-rocky surf spot that works occasionally on Northeast swell. When it’s running, it offers both left and right waves over a rocky bottom, with normal ride lengths typically in the 50 to 150 m range on good days. The key practical factor is hazards: the break is on rocks/reef, and water quality can become an issue after heavy rainfall because the river can bring debris and pollution. Providers also warn that the launch area is narrow (pebble/rock) and that currents can be stronger at the river mouth after rain, so conditions should be checked carefully before launching or entering the water. Wind-wise, Rio Algar is described as a mixed local wind spot. One provider frames it as mainly a Levante (E/SE) wind area in spring and summer (often cross-on and sometimes choppy), while surfing notes emphasize that west wind can give cleaner offshore conditions. Wind reliability is described as low in one set of notes, so best results depend on the wind/swell alignment. For wind sports, kitesurfing and windsurfing are described as possible when the wind pattern lines up: kitesurfing is characterized as low-profile and occasionally used in the off-season or after Mediterranean storms bring wind, and windsurfing is described as feasible during Levante (East) conditions. When conditions are right, the spot can suit beginners to intermediate riders for each discipline, but rocks, narrow access, and variable water quality keep it from being a fully “set-and-forget” launch.
- Reef-rocky river-mouth break with both left and right peaks
- Northeast swell can start it below 1 m and hold up to 3 m+ during stronger conditions
- Hazards include rocks/reef and possible pollution after heavy rain
- West wind described as giving cleaner offshore conditions for surfing
- Produces regional-classic reef-rocky waves, with both left and right peaks when it breaks.
- Good working window on Northeast swell, with holds up to 3 m+ during stronger Mediterranean storm conditions.
- Convenient car access and reportedly instant walk-in access (<5 min) from the river mouth area.
- Spot is small and can get crowded when working.
- Rocks/reef and possible pollution after heavy rain are key hazards.
- Wind reliability is described as low by one provider; conditions must line up for consistent sessions.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, E, SE, S
- Offshore directions
- W
- Wind Range
- 10–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Providers describe Rio Algar as a mostly Levante (E/SE) wind location in spring and summer, with cross-on conditions; one provider also describes best surfing with west wind.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Described as having moderate gusts.
- Best Months
- January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–14 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Small waves, Mixed
- Beach
- Rocks — Rock/reef-rocky described; one provider also specifies pebble shoreline near the river mouth.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — Providers describe small to medium wave sizes depending on swell and how it’s breaking.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Kitesurfing notes often mention choppy conditions with cross-on wind.
- Launch
- Small — Rocky little beach/pebble area at the mouth of Rio Algar; narrow access near Cap Negret.
Through the year
Weekdays: few surfers; weekends: crowded when surf is breaking. Wind sports can be quieter unless swell-driven crowd spikes occur.
October to March (rain and storms, including heavy localized rain, are described as the main risk period for pollution/debris).
By sport
What to expect for each.
Low-profile, occasionally working near the river mouth; pebble/narrow launch described as more suited for controlled technique. Often associated with cross-on Levante-type winds in spring/summer; also described as usable during off-season when storms bring wind.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–14 m²
Possible during Levante (East) winds, with bump/jump characteristics or small waves near the river mouth.
- Sail Sizes
- 5–7 m²
Foilable, but caution due to rocky bottom near shore and a narrow launch; recommended with care.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foil-friendly described as limited.
- Min Depth
- 2 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 5–7 m²
River-mouth reef-rocky break producing both left and right peaks; sometimes break on suitable Northeast swell.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- NE
- Swell Height
- 1–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — One provider lists all-tides.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Described as exposed.
- Wind Effect
- West winds described as providing clean offshore conditions for surfing (best with west wind).
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size up to 3 meters or more during heavy Mediterranean storms.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Wave quality described as regional classic / good.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — One provider describes powerful waves; another describes moderate power. Overall: can be strong when conditions align.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Wave shape described as mixed by one provider; another describes peeling.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peel speed described as medium.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Normal rides described as 50 to 150 m.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Normal rides range between 50 and 150 meters on good days (and typical normal rides around 50 to 150 m are repeatedly noted).
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Río Algar (Altea) in the full forecast view.
Río Algar (Altea) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–9 ktsGusts 17 kts
- Direction
- S185°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 249 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.1–0.6 m3s period
- Temperature
- 16–25 °C
Over the next 7 days, Río Algar (Altea) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–9 kts, peaking around 9 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 17 kts. The prevailing direction is S. Waves run 0.1–0.6 m with a period of about 3s. 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
- rocks
- reef
- pollution
- river mouth currents (especially after heavy rainfall)
- boulders
- potential river debris
- narrow launch area
- turbulence near Cap Negret buildings
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguards referenced as seasonal (June–September noted regionally).
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability described as no/none by one provider and limited by regional guidance; treat as limited overall with seasonal services referenced regionally.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facility referenced: Hospital Marítimo de Altea. Emergency number is 112.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Localism described as moderate; also described as low-profile/no notable localism in other notes.
Rules of the spot
Check water quality after heavy rainfall (river can bring debris/pollution). Launching area is narrow and rocky; use caution around rocks/boulders and potential debris at the river mouth. Respect other beach users when the spot is crowded.
- Summer beach restrictions for kitesurfing may apply.
- Check the water quality after heavy rains as the river can bring debris and pollution.
- For surfing, west wind is described as providing cleaner offshore conditions; for kitesurfing the spot is described as most usable when the wind lines up with local patterns (often cross-on).
- Be extra cautious around the rocks/reef-rocky bottom and the narrow launch area; it can also get crowded when working.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Alicante
- Nearest Town
- Altea
- Nearest Airport
- Alicante–Elche Miguel Hernández Airport (ALC)
- Parking
- Car access required; limited parking in nearby streets of Cap Negret or near the river mouth / N-332 area.
- Public Transport
- Well-connected by regional TRAM and local bus services linking Altea, Albir, and Benidorm.
- Access
- From Alicante airport: take A-7, exit to Altea, continue to N-332; the spot is on the side of N-332 near the river meeting the sea near Cap Negret. Walk beside the river mouth for instant access (<5 min).
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish, Valencian
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Various hotels and apartments in Altea and Cap Negret.
- Food & Drink
- Chiringuitos and restaurants are within walking distance along the beach.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental described as limited locally; most riders bring their own gear.
- Gear Storage
- Gear storage referenced via local club support.
- Gear Repair
- Basic repairs referenced through local sailing clubs; major kite/board repairs may require travel.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A picturesque Costa Blanca coastline around Altea, with coastal scenery and nearby hiking/day trips.
Whitewashed houses and narrow cobbled streets leading to the blue-domed church of Nuestra Señora del Consuelo.
Sea-and-mountains setting supporting beach time and hiking/inland day trips.
The first Russian Orthodox church built in Spain, constructed entirely of wood.
Historic hill town that contributes to the area’s tourism appeal.
Coastal hiking trails with cliffs over 300 meters and Mediterranean views.
Popular inland day-trip area associated with mountain scenery.
La Marina Baixa is promoted for hiking alongside coastal tourism.
Wide variety of international and Mediterranean cuisine overlooking the bay.
Natural waterfalls and pools suitable for swimming, located inland with a short drive.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Río Algar (Altea)?
The best overall months at Río Algar (Altea) are May, June, July, August, September. The best wind months are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Río Algar (Altea)?
Río Algar (Altea) works with W, E, SE, S winds. Offshore directions are W.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Río Algar (Altea)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Río Algar (Altea): Kitesurfing: 9–14 m² · Windsurfing: 5–7 m² · Wingfoiling: 5–7 m². The typical wind range is 10–25 kts.
What skill level is Río Algar (Altea) suitable for?
Río Algar (Altea) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner to Intermediate · Windsurfing: Beginner to Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Beginner to Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.