Kitesurfing in Tarifa
In an emergency
Private rescue boats and the state sea rescue are two different things
Two companies run boats at Los Lances Norte and Valdevaqueros, against a voucher; each provider sets its own zones, hours and terms. The state sea rescue is separate from that: 112, Salvamento Marítimo 900 202 202, VHF channel 16. In an emergency it picks up you; the kite stays in the water. Here is what the two providers promise, what Mark says about them, and whom you call when something really happens.
As of September 2026
We live and kite here ourselves.
Private providers
The rescue boats
Two providers, each with its own terms
New Angels · Tarifa Rescue
For its voucher the operator names Los Lances Norte and Valdevaqueros, up to two miles off the coast, in wind of no more than 35 kn. That is a condition of this voucher, not a general limit for Tarifa and not a promise of deployment. As of 3 September 2026.
Check New Angels conditionsSea Rescue
The operator describes its service as year-round, with stations at Los Lances Norte and Valdevaqueros and a stated zone of up to one kilometre from the beach. For June to September it names 11:00 to 20:00. The provider runs its own radio channel for its system. As of 3 September 2026.
Check Sea Rescue details
What Mark says about it, and you will not find this on any website:
The hours you see online are shop opening hours. The boats go out when the Levante is blowing. And they take you along with your gear — that is the difference from the state rescue service.
That is the practical reason these providers exist at all: in an emergency, the state sea rescue picks up the person. The gear stays in the water.
A rescue card is plan B. It does not change the conditions on the water.
State rescue
Distress at sea and acute emergency
This is a different system, run by the state, and it has nothing to do with the vouchers above. Give your position, what has happened and how many people need help. Private radio channels of individual providers are not official emergency channels.
- Europe-wide emergency number
- 112
- Salvamento Marítimo
- 900 202 202
- Marine radio (VHF)
- Channel 16
