El Palmar
El Palmar is Andalusia's surf oasis—a long, sandy beach near Cadiz that catches Atlantic swells wrapping around from the northwest before they enter the Mediterranean through the Strait of Gibraltar. The wave offers consistent beachbreak peaks in a region known more for wind sports than surfing. The bohemian village vibe, warm water compared to northern Spain, and reliable winter swells make El Palmar a favorite escape for those seeking Spanish surf without Basque Country crowds.
El Palmar surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- W (270°)
- Direction range
- 240° - 310°
- Size range
- 0.8m - 3m
- Ideal size
- 1.8m - 2.5m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 13s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- E (90°)
- Offshore range
- 50° - 130°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
- Optimal range
- 0.5m - 2m
- Danger above
- 2.5m
Water temp
16°C
Wetsuit
4/3mm fullsuit
Difficulty
5/10
Crowd level
7/10
Access: Beach village access. Near Tarifa kite/wind hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is El Palmar?
El Palmar is a beach break in El Palmar, Andalusia, Spain, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at El Palmar?
El Palmar picks up swell from the WSW round to the NW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the W. It starts working at around 0.8m and handles up to about 3m, with the sweet spot around 1.8 to 2.5m. Period matters too: aim for 13s or longer, as anything under 10s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at El Palmar?
An E wind is dead offshore at El Palmar, and anything from the NE round to the SE keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to 10am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at El Palmar?
El Palmar is at its best around mid tide, roughly 0.5m to 2m on the local chart. Above 2.5m it tends to fill in and wash through.
When is the best time of year to surf El Palmar?
The most reliable run of swell at El Palmar comes Nov to Feb. There's a second window in Mar and Oct too. Winter Atlantic swells. Tarifa wind zone.
How cold is the water at El Palmar?
The water at El Palmar averages around 16°C, so you'll want a 4/3mm fullsuit. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is El Palmar good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 5/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. It gets busy (crowd 7/10), so mind the pecking order. Often windy. Popular spot near Tarifa.
How do I get to El Palmar?
The nearest airport on our list is XRY, then it's roughly a 1.5-hour drive. Beach village access. Near Tarifa kite/wind hub.
What other surf spots are near El Palmar?
The closest breaks we track are Los Caños de Meca (5.5 km), handy when El Palmar isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
Secondary: Oct, Mar
Winter Atlantic swells. Tarifa wind zone.