Zahora

Barbate · Cádiz and Huelva · Spain

Today’s forecast: the current surf forecast for Zahora (wave height, swell, wind, tide and a 0–10 rating for every hour of the next 16 days) are only shown on SurfCams. They change every hour, so this text doesn’t contain them. To check today’s surf, open https://surf-cams.com/spot/zahora.

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Zahora is a long sandy beach with rocky patches just north of Cabo de Trafalgar, between El Palmar and the lighthouse. In autumn and winter it gives several peaks with medium-length lefts and rights, with hollow sections and good walls. The waves are as good as at its famous neighbours. There are far fewer people in the water.

Level
Intermediate
Break
Beach break, sand and rock
Waves
Lefts and rights
Crowd
Some company
Season
winter, autumn, spring
Boards
A shortboard or fish.

When it works

✓ A west to south-west swell of 1–1.5 m with an easterly wind; it works through the tide.

When it doesn't

✕ Flat summer spells and strong onshore wind.

Watch out for

  • rocks
  • rips

Best months

October, November, December, January, February, March, April

Local tips

If El Palmar is packed, drive a few minutes south and try Zahora. Watch out for rock patches between the sandy peaks.

Getting there

Off the road from El Palmar to Los Caños de Meca, with tracks and small car parks behind the beach.

Travel notes

How often it works
Works with a moderate west to south-west swell from autumn to spring; flat for much of summer.
Crowd and vibe
Usually 10–20 surfers when it is good, much calmer than El Palmar or Los Caños.
Camping and vans
Camping Pinar San José is in the pine woods of the Breña natural park, close to Zahora. Nearest campsite about 1 km away.
Facilities
A few bars, restaurants and small hotels in the hamlet; few services on the beach.
Water quality
Zahora was rated excellent in the EU bathing-water assessment (EEA data from Náyade) for the last three seasons.

Ideal conditions

Swell
SW–W best, SSW–WNW works
Size
1–1.8 m offshore swell; starts at 0.8 m, holds to 2.8 m
Period
8 s minimum, best from 12 s
Wind
Offshore NNE–E; handles onshore up to 10 km/h
Tide
mid best
Faces
SW (230°)

Live cam

No cam at this spot yet: the forecast and the guide are on the map.

In the guides

Nearby spots

All spots in Cádiz and Huelva · All spots

Sources