Surf & 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 licences necessary to operate their professional school here. If you don’t have your own car Laura will pick you up from the hotel. Join in the fun! (Insert foto 122)

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! (Insert foto Ainhoa Los Caños 232)

• Surf the local breaks, there are 3 good breaks near the hotel - 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 the hotel
• Learn to kite surf - wide & safe beaches nearby for learning
• Windsurfing, just a couple of hundred metres from the hotel 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 the hotel
• 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.

More Surf stuff…
Extracts © of 'STORMRIDER GUIDE TO SURFING IN EUROPE' (Low Pressure publishing)
Los Caños “...it breaks at low tide protected from the west winds. It's a left although sometimes has rights of poor quality. At low tide breaks with little depth and it is then that the wave has quality walling up hollow & long. Classic reef spot. It breaks when El Palmar is at least 3ft.”

El Palmar “…is the best surfing beach of the Cádiz area. From even half a metre the waves have strength & it can hold up to 2.5m. Fast shore break waves, powerful & with acceptable length. A high quality spot.”

Kite surfing spots
Beach orientation here offers kiting with almost every wind direction within a few kilometres. 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 the hotel) 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.

Windsurf spots
200m. from the hotel 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).

Land

Near the hotel are great trails for mountain biking and horse riding. If you fancy road biking then spin off on quiet roads through open countryside. If you’re more of a walker then leaving the hotel cliff path trails will lead you through the pine forest to some of the finest views in the south. For serious trekking journey inland to the Alcornocales forest and some 1,000m. peaks through the cork oak forest.

• Take a mountain bike for rides either along the coast or on quiet trails through the interior. All year. Quality mountain bikes available for hire locally.
• Three riding stables nearby offer you gallops on empty beaches (not July-September) or stunning rides through pine forest & open country.
• Trek from Los Caños to Vejer through the Las Breñas Nature Reserve.
• Walk the cliffs and pine forests or follow the beach trail along the coast.
• Just 50 min. from Los Caños you can enjoy a day walk to over 1,000m. in the Alcornocales forest. Spectacular views, dense forest & narrow stream filled gulleys make this a great day out.
• Enjoy local bird watching, from coastal to wetlands & raptors in the nearby highlands.

Culture

Madreselva is perfectly located for a variety of fine cultural attractions within a short drive. Why not visit the walled medieval town of Vejer, shining bright white on the hilltop. Cádiz has museums, a stunning market, plazas and monuments galore and virtually no tourists. Or why not enjoy a tour to the sherry bodegas of Jerez and sample some local ‘fino’…

• Relax with a charming nocturnal walk through Vejer de la Frontera’s romantic narrow alleys & courtyards.
• Visit historic Cape Trafalgar and take a walk along the ‘Beach of Souls’ named after the famous battle.
• Walk around the extensive ruins of Roman ‘Baelo Claudia’, see the statue of Trajan and admire the views overlooking the bay of Bolonia and its vast sand dune.
• Enjoy the outstanding fish market in Cádiz & explore the towns charming back streets, monuments, parks & lively local shopping.
• In Jerez you can’t miss the famous sherry bodegas for a history tour & a tasting or drive to Sanlucar de Barrameda for a plate of freshly caught ‘langostinos’ overlooking the Guadalquivir river & the pine woods of Coto Doñana.

Golf

Vejer is the ideal location from which to play Golf at all times of the year. With consistent good weather you’ll find the Costa de la Luz courses are free from the congestion of the other Costas. Here you can play golf in open countryside with undisturbed views to the Atlantic or across extensive natural forests. Getting around you’ll enjoy good quality roads with hardly any traffic and after a game of golf enjoy a swim off one of the quiet beaches, visit a charming white town or you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy a horseback ride in charming open countryside or just lie by the pool at Triperia No.1 and enjoy the view.

Our English speaking receptionists will provide you with more detailed information and maps and will be able to book your tee times while you’re here.

Info courtesy of GolfSpain (www.golfspain.com).

Monteenmedio
5kms. from Vejer. The course can be seen from many town viewpoints. The 18 holes are played on wide carefully tailored fairways, bordered by mediterranean vegetation and forest, requiring precision and accuracy to keep the ball in play. Considered by professionals and experts as one of Europe's finest golf courses, where nature is respected, and the beauty of the countryside combines with spectacular views of the white towns (Vejer), the Cádiz Sierra, the Straits of Gibraltar and Africa. As a rule the number of players on the course are limited to guarantee a delightful enviromental experience, where one may appreciate the grazing deer and mouflons.
Other services: Pitching & putt, putting green, driving range, hand and electric trolley, caddies, club social, showers, swimming pool, paddle tennis, club rental, pro-shop, golf classes and parking.

Course info: White tees: 5.897 meters. Par: 72. SSS: 72. Yellow tees: 5.751 meters. Par: 72. Red tees: 5.163 meters. Par: 72. SSS: 72. Blue tees: 5.301 meters. Par: 72
Tel: 0034 956 451216 Fax: 0034 956 451295
www.monteenmedio.com
reservas@monteenmedio.com

Benalup Golf
Benalup Golf is an environment friendly course constructed using TerraCottem. The plan for the Benalup Golf golf course was designed by the well known golfing architect, Baron Paul Rolin. The fairways and greens have been set up in an ecologically responsible way in this lightly forested area. The 18 hole golf course has many water obstacles. Benalup Golf has a splendid view of the 'Laguna de la Janda', an enormous plain where the lake once was. In clear weather you can easily see the coast of Africa.

Par 73 / 6,073 metres

C/ La Torre, s/n
Benalup-Casas Viejas
11190 Cádiz
Telf.: +34956424928 Fax.: +34956424929
E-Mail.: info@benalupgolf.com
URL:http://www.benalupgolf.com

Golf El Campano
20kms. away between Conil & Chiclana Designed by: Mr. Robert Trent Jones
Its careful design determinates this courses main feature. It is located on a smooth and flattish terrain running across a private development. It is a rather short layout with its 9 holes although this fact still allows the presence of many hazards like the stream that runs across the 2nd hole. This course invites to put pratice the most varied selection of strokes and a firm hand rather than strength in the stroke. It offers an extraordinary natural setting.

Services: Tennis court, swimming pool, club rental and car rental, driving range, pro-shop, parking, putting green, cafeteria and restaurant.
Num. of holes: 9.
White tees: 6.050 meters. Par: 70. SSS: 72.
Yellow tees: 5.802 meters. Par: 70. SSS: 70.
Red tees: 5.242 meters. Par: 70. SSS: M67-F72.
Telf.: +34956493081
Fax.: +34956402134
E-Mail.: campano@golf-andalucia.net

Novo Sancti Petri
20kms. From Vejer near Chiclana. Designed by: Severiano Ballesteros.
There are two 18 hole courses at Novo. Situated on the sea side & amongst a natural forest of Mediterranean pines, the terrain shows a huge extension where the hazards will storm the players. Numerous water hazards, lakes, trees and bunkers. The fairways, american in style, are general fairly narrow and call for precise strokes. One of the main features of this course is its natural surrounding and the great variety of tree species.
Other services: Club rental, trolley, tennis court, social club, squash, horse riding, cafeteria, restaurant, pro-shop, nursery, sauna, football.

Sea Pines: Par 72 / 6,774 yards
Centre Course: Par 72 / 6,495 yards
Tel: 0034 956 49 43 05
Fax: 0034 956 49 43 50
reservas@golf-sanctipetri.es

Montecastillo
55kms. From Vejer near Jerez de la Frontera. Designed by: Jack Nicklaus
This 18 hole golf course is ideal for both beginners and professional players. There are interesting variations for players, for the precision and direction of their strokes and to go through the water hazards. Numerous bunkers protect the quality greens, they are fast but with difficult slopes. The first nine holes are characterized by broad and wide fairways. At the back nine holes, the fairways get tighter and the greens are more complicated. The course is amusing but very demanding with golf players. It is considered one of the best courses in all Europe.
Other services: Pitching & Putt, putting green, driving range, hotel, apartments, hand trolleys, caddies , showers, sauna, cart rental, club rental, pro-shop, golf classes and parking. Tennis court, squash, horse riding, cafeteria, restaurant, polo.
White tees: 6.457 meters. Par 72.
Yellow tees: 6.043 meters. Par: 72. SSS: 72.
Red tees: 5.230 meters. Par: 72. SSS: 72.

Telf.: +34956151200
Fax.: +34956151209
E-Mail.: montecastillo@golf-andalucia.net
URL:http://www.montecastillo.com

Golf El Puerto
50kms. from Vejer near Puerto de Santa Maria
An 18-hole course with a character and identity all its own, where the surface water and natural dips in the terrain have been turned into lakes and streams.
Not without its difficulties but nonetheless enjoyable and suitable for players of all levels. No blind shots. The holes are protected by the lakes, streams and trees. Basically, a thoroughly enjoyable course in a city full of attractions. The result of the work of Manuel Piñero and his team is a course which is sufficiently long, measuring more than 6,300 metres in total.
Variety, challenge and movement are the main attractions which go to make the course at Golf El Puerto enjoyable for players of all levels, and is even suitable for professional championships.
The Clubhouse and the Hotel are on the highest point of the course next to the tees of the 1st and 10th and the greens of the 9th and 18th. The facilities include a modern practice course, with greens and bunkers, and a chipping green.

Par 72, 6,480m.

Telf.: +34956876541
Fax.: +34956854866
E-Mail.: golfelpuerto@golfelpuerto.com
URL:http://www.golfelpuerto.com

Vistahermosa
45kms. from Vejer near Puerto de Santa Maria
Situated in the Bay of Cádiz, just over a kilometre from Puerto de Santa María, the course at Vista Hermosa has narrow fairways and greens. The greens are made more difficult by the sand traps which protect them and by the easterly wind, which can really complicate your game. The holes at Vista Hermosa provide a serious challenge for any golfer. Variety is one of the main features of this course, and you will need to be really accurate on some of the holes due to the strategically placed water hazards.  Other holes are more open, but there are numerous trees ready and waiting to punish shots that don’t go quite where you wanted them to.

9 hole course

Telf.: +34956541968
Fax.: +34956875604
E-Mail.: info@vistahermosaclubdegolf.com
URL:http://www.golf-andalucia.net

Costa del Sol courses
The 2 closest courses to Vejer are featured here - about an 80min drive.

San Roque Club
Designed by: Dave Thomas & Tony Jacklin.
This course was built on the lowest part of a valley in a large area which allows for broad fairways and a long layout. The water hazards are to be found along the second round . This course calls for all rounds players and will be rather difficult for inexperienced players. Numerous trees provide a good defense against the winds. The difficulty met at the 18th hole requires an allround game.

Other services: Tennis court, club rental, cart rental, cafeteria, restaurant, pro-shop, swimming pool and horses riding.

Course info: Num of holes: 18
White tees: 6.440 meters. Par 72. SSS 74.
Yellow tees: 6.048 meters. Par 72. SSS 72.
Blue tees: 5.479 meters. Par 72. SSS M67-F72.

Tel: 0034 956.61.30.30
Fax: 0034 956.61.30.12
hotelres@sanroqueclub.com

Valderrama
Designed by: Mr. Robert Trent Jones.
The golf course with over 500 olive trees, some of them hundreds of years old which have been brought from distant locations and planted where they can define the course and frame target areas. Many more, like the young corks, have been saved from the axe elsewhere. The olive trees are the particular importance at the 7th, 11th and 14th holes. An abundance of wild and cultivated flowers enhance the golf course. On any golf course, specially one near the sea, the wind can be an important factor.

Other services: Putting green, driving range, hand trolleys and electric trolleys, showers, club rental, pro-shop, golf classes, parking, tennis court, squash, horse riding, cafeteria, restaurant, polo.

Course inf: Num. of holes: 18 + 9 par 3.
White tees: 6.234 meters. Par: 71. SSS 75.
Yellow tees:5.864 meters. Par: 71. SSS 73.
Blue tees: 5.481 meters. Par: 71. SSS 71.
Red tees: 4.863 meters. Par: 71. SSS 73.
Green Fee: 28.000,-ptas. / Pro: 14.000,-ptas.