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 · AugHit and miss
Crowds · AugHeavy in season
Local vibeFriendly enough
Water qualityUsually clean
NightlifeA bar or two
CostMid
Geek analysis
August in the record
53% of days clear 12 kt for three daylight hours or more.
In August the wind most often sits at 8 to 11 kt (26% of daylight hours). No daylight hour is over 12 kt on at least half the days. The best hour is 4pm, on 49% of days. See both charts in the full report
No weather station near enough to check these figures against.
August on the record
The month's own figures, not the year's average.
Rideable days16 of 31Four Augusts in the record
Wind, rideable hours17 ktMean over daylight hours at 12 kt+
Air27.1°CMaximum
Waves0.7 m0% 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 · August53% 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 August usually does
August sits outside the best months here. 53% of days clear 12 kt for three daylight hours or more.
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.
