Surf and Water
The Madreselva is partnered with both the first class Trafalgar Surf School & the Why Not Fly kite school. If you are staying for a few days why not join in one of our surf camps and learn to surf or kite. See the current offers on the home page.
Trafalgar Surf School is owned and managed by Laura Palmer. A local resident for a few years now Laura runs first class courses for everybody including girls & kids. She and her team are registered surf instructors and hold all licenses necessary to operate their professional school here. If you don’t have your own car Laura will pick you up from Madreselva. Join in the fun!
Why Not Fly is managed by Gino and Ainhoa Garcia. This is Los Caños’ most high profile school and Ainhoa is a pro-rider and 2007 WKPA Wave Master’s champion. Gino offers only first class teaching using bow kites from the start and guarantees you will be on the water on your second or third day. Kite rental is also available. Rip it up!
- Surf the local breaks, there are 3 good breaks near Madreselva - bring a board or rent one locally. Note only small swell in mid-summer months... (see below)
- Surf in El Palmar less than 10 minutes away
- Take a surf lesson with the Trafalgar Surf School
- Kite surf! Two good launch spots within walking distance of Madreselva
- Learn to kite surf - wide & safe beaches nearby for learning
- Windsurfing, just a couple of hundred metres from Madreselva excellent launch spot (note nearest windsurf equipment rental in Tarifa)
- Sea kayaking — rent a sea kayak in Barbate and explore the cliffs and coves
- Snorkel the reef near Madreselva
- Dive! Local dive schools will take you out off Cape Trafalgar and to other interesting dive sites
- Take a kayak or be guided from a small vessel through the dunes & waterways of the Càdiz Marine Park seeing a mass of bird life.
- Take a day Whale Watching in the Straits from nearby Tarifa, see Sperm whales, Finn whales & Dolphins.
- Don’t miss the Orcas feasting in August / September.
Kite Surfing Spots
Beach orientation here offers kiting with almost every wind direction within a few kilometers. No long drives if the wind changes direction.
Trafalgar beach (El Faro) - Launch on the beach towards the lighthouse. Good sailing when it blows in light or strong Levante (these are the prevailing winds -easterly). Good launch point without obstructions. Waves will come in after a couple of days of Levante in summer or most of the winter. Tack upwind to the apartments (almost opposite Madreselva) to catch the best waves. Watch out low tide for the rocks towards the lighthouse. Uncrowded off season with locals only unless it’s a howler in Tarifa & they all come to Trafalgar. Busy mid-summer. Watch out for the headland currents & we advise against sailing the other side of the isthmus.
El Palmar beach - Good with a Poniente SW. Lonely sailing here as so few people do. Often fast flat water sailing and usually wave action through the winter. Fantastic beach launch, no rocks. Take care with wind direction.
Conil - Good as for El Palmar, small lagoon at high tide perfect for learning. Plenty of locals sailing from the town when conditions are good.
Barbate out of town - Vast empty beach, tons of room for launching. Even in mid-summer plenty of space even when everywhere else is crowded. Poniente SW.
Tarifa - 35 minute drive to Punta Paloma or Bolonia. Crowded.
Windsurfing Spots
200m. from Madreselva is one of the best launch spots on the coast. With a good ‘Levante’ (the predominant wind) Tarifa sailors drop in for the wave action especially in the non-summer months. Excellent wave action in winter. Watch out launching mid-low tide for rocks. No other beaches particularly good here unless it’s a strong Poniente wind (SW).
