If you want to go surfing, head off to the Costa de la Luz, on Spain’s Atlantic coast.

The beaches between Tarifa and Cadiz have some of the best and most consistent waves for surfing and body boarding in Spain. El Palmar and Los Caños de Mecca are two of Spain’s best surf spots. The best waves are normally in autumn and spring. The only problem is they can get quite crowded on the week-ends.

There are plenty of places in Los Caños and El Planar where you can take lessons or just rent out your board and wetsuit. Also, in nearby Tarifa, there are numerous surfing, windsurfing and kite surfing shops. You’ll easily find instructors here too.

Beginners should ask the staff for advice before they start off. Generally, you should use a long board a when first. Don’t just grab the one that looks the coolest!
The main objective here is to be able the catch the wave and be able to stay up on it. The smaller shorter boards are harder to use and take more practice. A long board should be about one foot taller than you.

Swimming is the best exercise for anyone wishing to pursue the sport. Aerobic fitness and confidence in the water are two of the most important things. Beginners shouldn’t surf alone. Make sure you go out with someone else. If you do go out alone, make sure someone knows you are out in the water.

Spain can’t be compared to Australia or Hawaii when it comes to big waves, but it’s a great place to start off.