16-06-10

Horse Riding -

There is excellent horse riding to be had all year round in Tarifa. Rides vary from galloping along the beach to the sand dunes at Las Dunas, to riding treks in to the national park, or swimming with the horses in the blue waters of the Atlantic. 

The Hotel Dos Mares is the main riding centre located 3km out of town along the beach. They run a well established riding school that caters for all abilities. Depending on how busy they are they can also put together riding packages to suit your needs.

HotelDosMares.es

Surfing

Tarifa isn’t famous for its waves, but there are plenty of spots where you can find a good surf, especially in the winter months. Most of the surf is better suited to long boards but occasionally when a big swell blows in it can look like the picture.

Scuba Diving

Although windsurfing is certainly the most predominant water sport in Tarifa, the waters of the Straits provide wide opportunity for divers. Tarifa is an underwater paradise!

A wild and attractive sea bed, abrupt and often breathtaking, endows Tarifa and the nearby spots with a submerged garden of immense beauty, ideal for diving.
The variety of spots, the different depths and the transparency of the water allow the practice of diving at any level. Please note that this is just a picture taken from Google Images!

Of course the Straits of Gibraltar and adjoining zones are synonymous to respect-imposing currents but, with the help of the local instructors, there is no reason for not taking advantage of these characteristics.

There are two certified diving schools in the area who run courses and rent out equipment for licensed divers. Remember to bring your license since you will not be allowed without it.

Whale Watching

When two large water recipients such as the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea meet in just one and only place and with just a mere 14km dividing it, it is no surprise that there must be something special going on. The sheer diversity between temperatures, salt contents, currents and natural environment of these two water stretches, generate two distinct animal habitat which, curiously enough, need each other to survive. So many species on land and water use this connecting point to enter new environments for breeding, feeding or simply protection and Tarifa's strategic position is ideal to see all this happening. If you want to know more about Whales and other cetaceans or even better organise a trip to see them for your self please visit Firmm, a Swiss foundation based in Tarifa that dedicates itself just to that.

Morocco 

Although I doubt many people will be coming to Tarifa by ferry, the ferry is an option you should consider whilst in Tarifa. It may have missed your attention how close Africa actually is. It only takes 35 minutes to make the crossing and will not only make you feel as if you have gone back 100 years but it will also introduce you to a whole new culture.

FRS is more than just a shipping company. It not only supplies the ferry service between the two continents, for both passengers and cars but organises day trips which take you to see the typical sights, the Mosque, the Kasbah (Old town) the Zocco (the market) and other attractions.

Mountain Biking

Mountain biking is starting to become a popular activity in Tarifa for the no wind days. However there are only a few places that rent good bikes. The Animal Academy- Tarifa, have just started making proper downhill mountain biking routes in the hills to the north of Tarifa. They not only have excellent bikes to hire but will do downhill packages for you even driving you to the top of the mountain.

Sightseeing

For the no wind days there are some good days out to be had. I would recommend day trips to Ronda, Gibraltar, Seville, Puerto Buenus.