Plan and organize your next kitesurfing trip to Tarifa.
You are planning to visit Tarifa for your next vacation, short weekend, quick trip and take advantage of it to learn kitesurfing with us!
That’s great !! However, you are not sure how to organize your trip!
In order to help you with the organization of your kitesurfing hoildays in Tarifa, we have divided this article into 2 sections :
- Firsly a section with advice and tips for a great kitesurfing stay,
- Secondly a “check-list” section with the essentials to not forget.
But before to start, here is a point of the current situation !!
Since June 22 2020, the Spanish borders are now re-opened, so you will be able to travel from all major European cities without restrictions, quarantine or whatsoever. Due to its proximity, favorable climate, good atmosphere and its relatively low cost lifestyle, Spain remains an ideal destination for Europeans travelers. This trips will also not require much prior preparation.
It is now time to start planning your next stay in Tarifa.
Ours best tips and advice for a memorable trip to Tarifa
1/ When to visit Tarifa :
Located at the southern point of Andalusia, Tarifa generally benefit of a very pleasant climate and nice temperatures all year round.
Being located in the Strait of Gibraltar and always having the wind, we never have excessive temperatures during the summer (as you can have for example in Seville or in the rest of Andalusia). Average temperatures in summer are 28 and 15 degrees in winter.
Regarding the wind and the conditions, we are lucky to have wind all year round (around 300-320 days per year). During the summer period, we normaly have more days of thermal wind (15/20 knots)
Even if the weather allows us to kite all year round in Tarifa, we will recommend you to come during the period of March to October. Life is good, restaurants, bars … are open, the wind is almost guaranteed and there are usually not too many waves during this period.
2/ Book your flights
One of the first thing to do to organize your trip will be to book your plane ticket. We advise you to book them in advance in order to benefit from the lowest rates.
Low Cost companies as Ryanair, Easy Jet, Transavia normally offers several flights per week to Spain.
You will find flights from all major European cities, to the airports of Seville and Malaga. These 2 airports are the best served and the closest to Tarifa (around 2h30 and 1h45 from Tarifa).
Due to the current situation and the health crisis of recent months, the airlines companies have also finally been able to start again with normal activity. They are offering many flights again and have also changed their cancellation policies, making them much more flexible. You can now change the dates of your tickets or request a free refund (on most companies, remember to check before booking your tickets).
3/ Car rental
Car rental prices in Spain are normally very low, so we recommend you to hire a car upon arrival at the airport. This will facilitate your travel and let you fully enjoy your stay in Tarifa and also to visit the surroundings.
The taxi or bus tickets for 2 or more people will often cost the same price as the car rental.
The companies that offer the most attractive rates are:
If you are traveling alone or do not want to rent a car, you will also have other options at your disposal, such as bus, taxi or car sharing (Blalacar app). Tarifa is a small village where everything can be done walking.
If you have booked kiteboarding lessons with us and you do not have a car, we will be offer you free transport to the kite spot.
4/ Accommodation
Tarifa, offers a wide range of accommodations, which will suit all traveler profiles (hotels, apartment, house, Kite House, camping, Hostel). Tarifa has become an increasingly popular destination for the past few years (in summer) and even if there is a large number of accommodations, they normaly get booked very quickly. So try to book in advance.
In our kite school, we give you the opportunity to organize your kitesurfing trip, by offering you different packages with kiteboarding lessons + accommodation. Allowing you worry less and speed up your research.
You will find in our offers the rental of studios, private rooms and rooms in a kite house.
5/ Traveling with kitesurfing gear
It is of course possible for you to travel with your kitesurfing equipment, in order to take advantage of your holidays to use it, however the airlines charge fairly high prices for the transport of sports equipment. Count a budget of around 150 € extra.
If you want to travel light, test the latest generation equipment and have all sizes of wings (from 4m2 to 14m2) and boards, we offer a rental equipment service.
6/ Your kitesurfing lessons
The main goal being to learn and practice kitesurfing, we advise you to book your kite lessons or courses in advance, in order to be able to guarantee your spot but also benefit from our -10% discount. (Pre booking => 10% Discount ).
Here is the link to our website where you can find more information on our courses and offers, but also our online Pre-booking form.
The essential checklist for your trip:
Here is a non-exhaustive list of the essentials to consider having for your stay in Tarifa.
1/ The essentials to have for the beach days
The eternal sunscreen. Do not forget to bring in your suitcase a sunscreen, if possible water resistant. If you don’t have one, you will of course be able to buy it once on location, in supermarkets, pharmacy or directly from us. We offer ultra water resistant sticks.
Don’t forget your sunglasses, swimsuit and towel.
If you have booked kitesurfing lessons with us or plan to practice on your own, we advise you to wear your sunglasses with an elastic band, in order to don’t loose them in the water. You will find these elastic bands available in our school or in the other kite surf shops of Tarifa.
2/ Your wetsuit if you have one
Here are the recommended thicknesses for Tarifa:
May / June / October long 3/2
July / August / September: shorty or long 3/2
Middle of October to Middle May: 5 or 4 mm.
During our kitesurfing lessons, the wetsuit is included, however if you have one you can of course use your own.
3/ Outfits :
If you are traveling in Summer : We advise you to bring a sweater so that you can fully enjoy your evenings. Even if Tarifa is situated in a fairly sunny region, the wind is blowing which can cool temperatures in the evening.
If you are traveling in spring / autumn : Even if the temperatures are pretty nice during the day, we advise you light clothes but also sweaters. We can have some nice days which feels like summer but also some cold ones. Rain gear is also recommended.
4/ European vital card
We advise you to apply for a European card (for each member of the family) to social security before leaving.
In most of the countries this card is free and will allow you to benefit from medical services in an emergency, free of charge.
We hope that this article will help you organize and plan your kitesurfing stay in Tarifa.
Please, do not hesitate to contact us if you would like more information.
See you soon.