# Marbella - Cabopino — Marbella, Spain

Cabopino is the kite spot on the west side of Cabopino port, in Marbella: a short beach tucked between a rock groyne and the port breakwater, with the Torre Ladrones and the Dunas de Artola Natural Monument behind it.

It is a Levante spot. With wind from the east, you ride to the right of the port (looking at the sea): the wind comes in parallel to the coast and clean waves arrive, breaking next to the groyne. On days when Tarifa is too strong, it is usually manageable here. With Poniente it is better to go to the other side of the port, because from this beach the drift carries you towards the groyne and the harbour entrance.

It is a demanding spot, for experienced riders: a short beach with palm trees, rocks on the shoreline and boats entering and leaving the port. It works mainly out of season; in summer the beach belongs to bathers and several guides indicate that you cannot launch your kite from the beach. Respect the dunes: they are a protected space.

Photos: "Artola-Cabopino 02" by Olaf Tausch (CC BY 3.0), via Wikimedia Commons; "Cabopino 01" by Olaf Tausch (CC BY 3.0), via Wikimedia Commons.

- **Sports:** Kitesurf, Windsurf, Wingfoil
- **Difficulty:** Advanced
- **Location:** Marbella, Spain (36.48450, -4.74277)
- **Favourable wind directions (where the wind blows from):** E (90°), ESE (120°)
- **Wind range (knots):** 14–35
- **Best months:** October, November, December, January, February, March, April

## Wind by month (% of days per strength)

| Month | <7 kn | 7–13 kn | 13–20 kn | 20–35 kn | >35 kn |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 38 | 44 | 13 | 4 | 1 |
| February | 34 | 47 | 15 | 4 | 0 |
| March | 22 | 56 | 19 | 3 | 0 |
| April | 32 | 62 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| May | 22 | 66 | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| June | 30 | 68 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| July | 25 | 72 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| August | 34 | 58 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| September | 21 | 75 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| October | 35 | 62 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| November | 48 | 50 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| December | 46 | 41 | 13 | 0 | 0 |

## Local winds

- **Levante** — E (90°), 14–35 kn. East wind that comes in parallel to the coast (side-shore). It is the wind for this side of the port: with Levante you ride to the right of the port (looking at the sea) and clean waves come in, breaking next to the groyne. On days when Tarifa is too strong, it is usually manageable here.. The port is upwind: the wind arrives somewhat gusty next to the breakwater. Launch moving away from the groyne and do not cross in front of the harbour entrance.
- **Poniente** — W (260°), 12–30 kn. West wind, the most frequent in the area, which comes in side-onshore. With Poniente it is better to ride on the other side of the port (Cabopino East), protected by the breakwater.. From this beach the drift carries you towards the rock groyne and the harbour entrance. Expert riders only.

## Zones

- **Launch** — Launch zone
- **Cabopino** — Navigation zone
- **Beach parking** — Parking
- **Large car park** — Parking
- **Harbour entrance (boat passage)** — Restricted zone

## Points of interest

- **Torre Ladrones**: 16th-century watchtower behind the launch area; visual reference for the spot.
- **Dunas de Artola Natural Monument**: Protected space: do not set up the kite or walk on the dunes, use the boardwalks.
- **Rock groyne**: Breakwater that extends about 130 m into the sea just west of the launch area.
- **Cabopino harbour entrance**: Boats entering and leaving: do not ride in front of the harbour entrance.
- **Flat rocks on the shoreline**: Rock slabs on the shoreline to the west of the groyne (approximate position).
- **Lifeguard station**: Lifeguard hut next to the groyne (bathing season).
- **Beach showers**: Public showers on the beach.
- **Andy's Beach**: Beach bar on the sand.
- **Chiringuito La Lonja**: Beach bar next to the port.
- **Camping Cabopino**: Campsite 600 m from the beach.

## Hazards

- Rock groyne next to the launch area
- Cabopino harbour entrance: boats entering and leaving
- Flat rocks on the shoreline to the west of the groyne
- With Poniente the drift carries you towards the groyne and the harbour entrance
- Bathers during the bathing season

## Obstacles

- Palm trees on the beach
- Rock groyne
- Port breakwater

## Facilities

- Toilets
- Parking
- Showers
- Restaurant

## Restrictions

- Temporada de baño (verano): playa llena de bañistas; varias guías indican que no se puede salir en kite desde la playa. Fuera de temporada, sin restricciones conocidas

[See it on Ventus Surf (3D map, zones and live forecast)](https://ventus.surf/spots/marbella-cabopino-5qc2pnMl1gcFsGGlsF45?lang=en)