The wide fine-sand beaches, thermal breezes and warm waters of the Region of Valencia are perfect for starting kitesurfing and windsurfing or any other sailing sport. The greatest experts will find spectacular spots for practising kite mainly in winter, when the strong winds of the Mediterranean give us with unforgettable hours of sailing.
In summer, sunny days under blue skies are accompanied by constant thermal winds such as the Garbí and Llebeig, and also by a calm, waveless sea. To surf waves, you have to wait for autumn, with the arrival of the first storms and the arrival of strong Gregale (NE) and Levante (E) winds. Although the kite is most commonly launched from the beach, some sailing companies also offer the option of starting from a boat. It offers the advantages of accessing winds that don’t reach the coast very easily, as well as sailing in areas where it would be impossible to launch a kite from land, such as coves, cliff areas or stone beaches.
The extensive coastal strip of the Region of Valencia offers wide, uncrowded beaches far from promenades and buildings where you can learn kitesurfing in the safest conditions; the best stretch, for both beginners and for experts, is between Valencia and Dénia. To perform this activity, besides knowing the best locations, it’s essential you ensure that the activity is allowed in these spaces and that it has areas set up for it.
ALICANTE
Altea: the mouth of the River Algar is one of the most beautiful spots in the Region for kitesurfing with Levante (E) winds, especially in spring and summer. This place is frequented by kitesurfers, windsurfers and surfers because it has all wind regimes and wave conditions. The beach is made of small white pebbles, with a small turquoise lake in the last stretch of the river. It is a perfect place to take kitesurfing pictures. As for sailing conditions, this spot is only suitable for expert sailors since it is not a sandy beach and good technical knowledge is required.
Calpe: this town is notable for the Poniente beach or “Arenal Bol”. This beautiful beach is south-facing, which makes it possible to sail with a S-SW side wind, which is the best for surfing. Here the winds are temperate in winter, they arrive clean at the shore and the waves, between two and five metres high on the most intense days, come in an orderly fashion. What’s more, its waters and a landscape framed by the mountains of the Peñón de Ifach, Morro de Toix and Sierra de Olta, make Poniente beach one of the most-visited spots among kitesurfers and windsurfers in the entire Region. On the other hand, it is also worth mentioning the Levante beach on days with a Levante storm (E), since it generates a wave of considerable height thanks to the proximity of its reef, which is 100m from the beach.
Dénia: the coast of Dénia is perfect for kiteboarding and windsurfing from March to September, when the Garbí and libeccio thermal winds blow with a frequency and intensity (more than 8 knots) that are perfect for these sailing disciplines.
- Les Deveses beach: this beach, with its fine sand and calm waters, the natural border between Dénia and Oliva, is the most famous summer spot in the Region of Valencia and perhaps on the entire Mediterranean coast. In this area, several channels are usually set aside for windsurfers and kitesurfers, with the one at the mouth of the River Racons being the most the most suitable for kites.
- Els Molins beach: a wide, bay-shaped beach, very popular with the most experienced kitesurfers and windsurfers due to its strong winds. This spot has the privilege of being the only one in the entire Region where you can sail with three wind directions, Ponente (W), Mistral (NW) and Tramontana (N), which brings together kitesurfers from all over the region, putting the right of way rules to the test. Molins is a spot where kitesurfing is very difficult, and it is not recommended for beginners, since the winds are very gusty and often change direction and intensity without warning, unlike the thermal winds of summer.
- Paquebote: a wave spot next to the mouth of the River Girona. Both to the south and to the north, good surfable wave peaks form; those to the north are better quality, though the wind is stronger to the south. Due to being a place frequented by windsurfers, it’s essential to know the basic right of way rules in surfing and the characteristics of windsurfing, as well as having good ability with a kite. The much less crowded beach north of the mouth is more comfortable for less experienced kitesurfers.
Other places suitable for kitesurfing in Alicante are Altea (Altea beach), El Campello (Punta del Riu beach), Guardamar (De la Mata beach), La Vila Joiosa (Centro or Ciutat beach), Santa Pola (La Gola beach and Lisa beach), San Juan (San Juan beach) , Torrevieja (Los Náufragos beach) or Xabia (Arenal beach, next to the National Parador).
VALENCIA
Alboraya: in this municipality, La Patacona beach is worth mentioning (a spring, autumn and winter spot, large influx of bathers in summer). The Tramontana (N) wind is what has made this spot famous, since from the end of summer until well into spring, it blows with especial intensity to the north of the city of Valencia. This wind is much valued by kitesurfers and windsurfers, since it is usually accompanied by strong waves if it is accompanied by a storm. Besides, it allows you to attack the waves almost head-on, which facilitates manoeuvres. In winter, Gregale (NE) and Levante (E) winds are also common. This extremely wide beach is safe for beginners. Portsaplaya beach is also frequented by windsurfers.
Cullera: In this town stands out the El Pollo beach, an extensive sandy area with dunes and crystal-clear waters, without buildings nearby, ideal to learn kitesurfing in summer. The El Dorado/Estany beach, south of the mouth of the River Júcar, is a winter spot famous for its huge and perfectly ordered waves produced by the Gregal (NE) and Levante (E) storms.
Piles: both in this area and in the neighbouring municipality of Oliva (mouth of the River Gallinera, between Aigua Blanca beach and Rabdells beach, and also on the beaches of Aigüa Morta, Oliva Nova and Cotal beach), the Garbí winds are more persistent and the libeccio is not as gusty here as in southern Alicante, hence it is very comfortable to sail from the shore. Before selecting your kitesurfing destination, it’s essential you are sure of the areas where this activity is allowed, since the practising of kite is highly restricted.
Other areas in this province with conditions suitable for kitesurfing are Valencia (El Saler beach), Sueca (Mareny Blau and Mareny de Barraquetes beaches) and Gandía (Clotal beach).
CASTELLÓN
In this province the best places are at Alcalà de Xivert (El Carregador and Cap y Corp beaches), Almassora (Benafelí beach), Burriana (Arenal beach, ideal for S-SW winds and sea without a swell perfect for freestyle or gaining speed), Castellón de la Plana (Gurugú beach, ideal in winter, it has Gregal and Levante winds), Peñíscola (North beach, thanks to its ideal enclave next to the Castle of Papa Luna).
Before selecting your kitesurfing destination, please make sure what areas allow the practising of kite and are equipped to practise it. Please contact the municipality or the tourist offices in the area in advance (click here for a list of Tourist Information Offices in the Region of Valencia). Here are some suggestions to enjoy kite or windsurfing in the Region of Valencia: