Valdevaqueros Sand Dunes

LAS DUNAS DE VALDEVAQUEROS.

LEVEL: Beginner to expert

Las Dunas is surely one of the spots where you will want to spend a lot of time. Schools, beach bars, restaurants at the shore, incredible views over the dunes, fine sand beach and crystal clear water. The spectacular panorama changes radically depending on the direction of the wind and the season. Here the wind can blow quite strong, especially in April and in July, months of which the hot wind from the west reinforces the Levante Wind (wild western wind).
So here the wind enters in a side-side offshore babor, with a good clapot to jump into the high sea, and sometimes small waves form, created by a mix of ocean wind and land wind.

In general, the more the wind is blowing in Valdevaqueros nd Balcon de España, more strongly and regular it blows toward Tarifa. But if the Levante wind is too strong and uncontrollable, you have to practice in Las Dunas. The wind here is a little less intense, and the clapot on-shore will allow you to do good jumps and some backside surf.

But Las Dunas is also, between June and September, a great spot for hot wind from the west created between the difference in the water temperature (never too hot, even in summer), and the heat that comes down from the sun-baked dunes.

To this adds the effect of an enclosed cove in the Bay of Tarifa, and gets regular wind from the west after 2 p.m... But sometimes it takes a while to get there, so don't get there too early as sometimes it doesn't get blowing until after 5 p.m. and starts letting up around nightfall. In winter, you should be careful in this spot as the wind comes from the south west (many times with rain), and also wind that comes off the Atlantic.

You've got to start against the dunes (being careful about the rocky bottom) to be able to lance at full speed toward the ramps on side shore and be able to navegate over some small, well formed waves with little potency.

ATTENTION:
The area to the left of the Club Mistral (looking towards the sea) is reserved for kite surf schools, and the rest of the beach is only for windsurf. Only at the right part of the bay, up against the dunes is reserved for swimmers in summer.

ACCESS:
Direction Cadiz, after kilometer 76, a little more than 10 km from the town (hotel 100% fun at the left). Here, there are various access spots that take you to the sea. The first passes below a large metal inscription that says "Valdevaqueros," that takes you to the Club Mistral. The second access is about 300 meters after the first, and it will take you to the Le Tangana Bar and to the Escuela del Windsurf del Spin Out. The third access is situated 50 meters after the second, and it is a dirt road in that will take you to the Escuela de Windsurf/Kitesurf Tarifa Smile, and one of the only parking spots where unofficial camping is still tolerated. There is a fourth access at 1 km further down the road that takes you to Jardin de las Dunas Campings and Paloma Campings, which are both closer to the dunes and to the military zone.

WINDSURF SCHOOLS:

Tarifa Smile: known for its pedagogy equipment (they also speak French) and its second-hand market during summer (+34 619 980 303).

Spin Out: You can rent new Tabou/Gastar material here (open from April through December). +34 956 236 352).

The Club Mistral de Valdevaqueros: has similar characteristics to it homologue to Hurricane (open from April through December). +34 956 689 098.

EAT:

El Mirlo: situated behind the military zone, behind Las Dunas de Punta Paloma (+34 956 685 100).

100% Fun: Mexican kitchen and Chill Out atmosphere. +34 956 680 013

Tarifa Smile, Volaré, Tangana: to have something small to eat during the day, or at night. Protected by the wind.

ACCOMMODATION:
Camping El Jardín de Las Dunas (+34 956 689 101)
Camping Paloma (+34 956 684 203
Bungalows Tangana (+34 956 684 698 o 606 415 028)
Hotel Tres Mares: 2 stars (+34 956 680 637)
Hotel 100% Fun: 2 stars (+34 956 680 013)
Apartotel Villa Levante (+34 956 689 013)


NIGHT LIFE:

Tres Mares or Tarifa Smile organize goings-on during the summer monts. Sometimes for the real partiers, raves are organized out on the dunes.

OTHER ACTIVITIES:
Surf in the winter can sometimes be magical at Benavides, the beach that prolongs the dunes behind a small hill point: Long to the right that breaks over the rocks and opens perfectly. You can even hike the hill, stop at the Fuente de Arcilla de Benavides, and continue walking along the long, unspoiled beach that offers a unique panorama of the Bay of Tarifa.