Los Lances is the long sand beach that runs north-west from the town of Tarifa, on the Strait of Gibraltar. The tourist board splits it in two: Los Lances Sur, the family beach by the town, and Los Lances Norte, 4,600 metres of sand beyond the Río Jara where most of the kite and windsurf schools are based. The whole beach lies inside a protected natural site, part of the Parque Natural del Estrecho.
The record shows wind in every month. From January to June at least two days in three clear 12 knots for three daylight hours or more, and February is the pick at 84 per cent. The mean over those rideable hours sits between 18 and 20 knots. July is the quietest month in the record, still at 45 per cent. The wind builds through the day: in May, under a third of days are windy at 8am and about three in five by late afternoon.
ERA5 puts the share of rideable days 14.6 points lower here, and no weather station has settled it, so treat these figures as a guide.
At a glance
Is it for you?
Skill levelGetting there
WaterBit of chop
Wind · AprUsually turns up
Crowds · AprBusy patches
Local vibeFriendly enough
Water qualityUsually clean
NightlifeA bar or two
CostMid
Geek analysis
April in the record
69% of days clear 12 kt for three daylight hours or more.
In April the wind most often sits at 4 to 7 kt or 8 to 11 kt (18% of daylight hours each) and is over 12 kt at 10am and from 12pm to 6pm on at least half the days. See both charts in the full report
No weather station near enough to check these figures against.
April on the record
The month's own figures, not the year's average.
Rideable days21 of 30Four Aprils in the record
Wind, rideable hours20 ktMean over daylight hours at 12 kt+
Air18.4°CMaximum
Waves1.2 m32% of days run big
Take it with you
The full Tarifa, Los Lances report
Seven sections over six pages, built from the same record as this page. A PDF you can read on the plane.
01Hour-by-hour & month-by-month wind02The month's own records03Full stays, schools & kit04Per-launch tide notes05The lagoon, summer zones & the Levante06Getting there, packing & best months07Sources, and their limits
WindChaser spot reportTarifa, Los LancesAndalusia, Spain · April69% of days clear 12 kt for three daylight hours or more.
When it gets busy
Crowds
Aug · High
Alex Pastor Kite Club says Los Lances can get very crowded in the high season, June to August, and Kiteguide calls it really busy in peak season, particularly July and August. From 15 June to 15 September the beach is divided into zones for schools, independent riders and bathers.
On the water
What April usually does
Wind directionE or WThe Levante from the east, side-offshore; the Poniente from the west, side-onshore.
Wind strength18 to 20 ktThe mean over rideable daylight hours, January to June, in the record. The Levante blows far harder on its strong days.
When it blowsBuilds by afternoonThe share of windy days climbs from morning to late afternoon in the record.
Your playground
Launches & safety
Conditions change. Check local rules and conditions before you ride.
Launch
Hazard
Parking
School
Stay
Webcam
Approximate
Local intel
Getting there & on the ground
Nearest airportGibraltar (GIB)About 45 km by road. Jerez (XRY) is about 131 km.
Car or transferKBC Tarifa airport transfer from GibraltarKBC Tarifa, whose home spot is Playa de Los Lances, sells a Gibraltar airport transfer for up to four people plus two board bags, one way or arrival and departure.KBC Tarifa · Checked Oct 2026
Kit storageKBC Tarifa storage lockersKBC Tarifa lists storage lockers for personal gear, and its guided kitesurfing service lets riders keep their own kit at the centre.KBC Tarifa · Checked Oct 2026
On the groundJanuary to JuneThe windiest months in the record. February is the pick.
Getting aroundCarThe N-340 runs beside the beach, with public car parks along it.
