If you’ve spent a few days in Barbate, Zahara or Tarifa, you’ll have heard people talk about the levante and the poniente. They’re the two winds that set the rhythm of life on this coast: they decide whether the beach is paradise or a place where the sand flies, and they also decide where we sail. Here’s what levante wind sailing means for your trip.
What is the levante?
The levante is the east wind. It comes in from the Mediterranean and, as it passes through the Strait of Gibraltar, it speeds up as if through a funnel. That’s why it can blow very hard in Tarifa and Zahara, even when it’s barely noticeable elsewhere on the coast.
It tends to be a dry, warm wind, it can last several days in a row and it’s to blame for many difficult beach days in summer. At sea it whips up short, steep waves and, near the Strait, makes sailing uncomfortable.
What is the poniente?
The poniente is the west wind. It comes in from the Atlantic, is cooler and more humid and is usually gentler than the levante. With a poniente, the water at the beaches tends to be colder and clearer.
For sailing, a moderate poniente is good news: it gives enough wind for the sailboat to sail without the engine, and the sea off Barbate and Zahara is usually manageable.
How we choose the route according to the wind
- With a strong levante, we avoid the Strait and suggest routes to the west, along the La Breña cliffs and Caños de Meca.
- With a moderate poniente, almost every route is possible, and the trip towards Zahara and Atlanterra is especially pleasant.
- With a strong poniente, Trafalgar and the Conil coast are more exposed, so we prefer sheltered areas near Barbate.
- With light winds, we sail at a gentler pace, spend longer at anchor and, if needed, use the engine to complete the route.
What if it’s very windy on the day of your trip?
We check the forecast before every trip. If conditions don’t allow for comfortable, safe sailing, we’ll let you know in good time and suggest another time, another route or a new date. We’d rather move a trip than have you spend a miserable time on the water.
If you’re not sure which day to choose, message us: we’ll tell you what the forecast is looking like for your dates.
Last updated: