Technical details of Hurricane Hotel spot

Spot functioning

The spot works with both main wind directions:

With Poniente: Ideal conditions. Side-onshore wind, safe. The beach is wide and offers enough space. Choppy water with occasional swell.

With Levante: More technical. Wind blows slightly offshore, meaning if something goes wrong, you'll drift out to sea (towards Morocco!). Flatter water but demanding conditions.

The spot serves as a transition point: you can easily reach Los Lances to the south or Valdevaqueros to the north depending on daily conditions.

Tides: The spot is tide-affected. At low tide, more space on the beach.

On the water

Type: Atlantic Ocean / Strait of Gibraltar

Bottom: Sand with rocky areas - caution required

Water conditions:

With Poniente: choppy with occasional swell and small waves (wave freestyle popular)

With Levante: flatter, offshore wind smooths the waves

Water temperature: 17-20°C - wetsuit required (shorty in summer, 4/3 or 5/4 in winter). Water is colder with Poniente (Atlantic currents) and warmer with Levante (Mediterranean currents).

Required level

Intermediate

Spot opening date

• Closed: from 15/06 to 15/09
  Kite interdit / Kite forbidden summer

Spot rideable year-round thanks to 300+ wind days annually.

High season: April to October - best conditions, but very crowded in July-August.

Spring/Autumn: Ideal period - good wind, fewer people, pleasant temperatures.

Winter: November to February - less wind, more rain, but accessible and uncrowded. Good swell for surfing.

Parking

Parking available near the hotel with direct beach access.

Warning in high season: From July to August, parking can be very difficult along the entire Tarifa coast. Arrive early to find a spot.

Traffic can also be very heavy in summer - allow extra time for travel along the coast.

Hazards

Rocky areas: Watch out for rocks near the beach and in the water. The spot is not recommended for beginners for this reason.

Offshore wind with Levante: Serious risk of drifting out to sea. If something goes wrong (broken lines, lost kite), you'll be carried towards Morocco.

Rescue boat: It's strongly recommended to buy a "Sea Angels" pass (~€30) from kite shops. This pass covers rescue boat service if needed. Without a pass, rescue costs €100+!

Chop: Conditions can be difficult for waterstart, especially for beginners.

Currents: Strait currents can be significant. Water is often cool (17-20°C) due to Atlantic currents.

Wind specificities

Two main winds dominate in Tarifa:

Poniente (West): Side-onshore wind from the Atlantic. Steady and consistent, between 10-25 knots. Cooler than Levante. Ideal for relaxed sessions and learning. Can generate chop and swell.

Levante (East): Offshore to cross-shore wind from the Mediterranean. Hot, powerful and gusty, between 20-40+ knots. Flattens the water but blows towards open sea. Reserved for experienced riders.

The Venturi effect created by the Strait of Gibraltar (14 km between Europe and Africa) significantly amplifies wind strength in this area.

Season: Wind year-round, best conditions from March to September with 15-25 knots average and peaks in summer.

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