Los Palmones

Description of Los Palmones (Spain)

When the powerful Levante wind makes kitesurfing conditions in Tarifa too extreme, Los Palmones offers a sheltered alternative just 17 kilometers from Tarifa's center in the Bay of Gibraltar. This spot's prime location provides kiters with spectacular panoramic views spanning the entire bay.

While not as vast as Tarifa's main beaches, Los Palmones still boasts a sizable sandy expanse with ample room for setting up kite gear and launching and landing without feeling overcrowded. Typical of beaches along this coast, local regulations prohibit kitesurfing during the peak summer months from June through September when the waters are more crowded with swimmers.

Conditions at Los Palmones run the gamut from choppy wind swell to flat water depending on the wind and tide. One unique feature is the small lagoon created by the outflow of the Rio Palmones River, allowing kiters to ride across both open water and this enclosed flat water basin in a single session. The offshore winds bend around the curve of the bay, creating nice clean conditions without intense wind shadowing or turbulence.

Access is simple, with a large dirt parking area right off the coastal road leading onto the beach. Basic amenities like restrooms and a beach restaurant are available, but it's not overly developed like some spots. Overall, Los Palmones combines good wind conditions, great scenery, and a laid-back vibe that makes it a fantastic alternative kiting destination when Tarifa is blown out.