In the northern part of the Costa Brava in Catalonia lies the 15-kilometre-long Golf de Roses. Due to its geographical location, it is ideally exposed to the often prevailing winds and therefore offers perfect conditions for wind water sports. In the low season, you can kitesurf anywhere along the coast, with the exception of the Aiguamolls de l’Empordà Natural Park (April to June).
The village of Sant Pere Pescador, which gives the kitespot its name, is located roughly in the middle of the long bay. The Fluvià river flows past it a little further north into the sea. This is where the approximately 6-kilometre stretch of beach begins until just before L’Escala, which is heavily restricted by kite zones from June to September.
The spot has different but good conditions for wind water sports all year round. The long, wide sandy beach offers enough space to set up and launch in the low season. From spring to fall, a constant thermal, the Marinada, Catalan for sea breeze, builds up from midday.
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At one glance
| Location | Girona, Catalonia |
|---|---|
| Kitesurfing area | choppy, small waves |
| Standing area | yes, depending on the tide |
| skill level | all skill levels |
| Kitestation | yes, several |
| Wind direction | Tramuntana (N), Xaloc (SE), thermal (Marinada) |
|---|---|
| Best time | March to June, September to November |
| Special | the Marinada (thermal) |
| Overnight stay | Harbor parking lot, camping site, accommodation |
| Freestanding | difficult |
The Kitespot
To the north of the Costa Brava lies the Golf del Roses. There is a 6 km long stretch of beach that offers good conditions for kitesurfing and other wind sports. It stretches between the river El Fluvià and L’Escala.
The wide stretch of beach lies in front of a dune, which you can cross via marked sandy paths or wooden walkways. A cycle and footpath runs behind the dune and there are camping and parking areas of various sizes along the beach, although the latter are almost always equipped with a height restriction. The beautiful fine sandy beach is relatively clean and offers enough space to set up and launch. The water gets deep slowly. There are no natural obstacles on or in the water. Behind the dune there are always beach bars, kite stations and the campsites offer showers for their guests.
From June to September there are three kite zones and a training zone on the beach. The northernmost zone is in La Rubina. The other three are located within the 6 km stretch of beach. The southernmost zone is located at Camping La Ballena Alegre near the ION Club. The training zone is to the south of Camping Aquarius and the third kite zone varies slightly in its position. Most recently it was a little to the north of Camping L’Amfora. It’s best to check with the kite schools and look out for signs, buoys or flags.
The wind
Two main winds blow in the Gulf of Roses. The cold, stormy Tramuntana (N), which mainly blows from fall to spring. It can be very uncomfortable, especially in winter. North of the bay, the wind is off- to side-offshore and very gusty. At the kitespot Sant Pere Pescador and further south, it is easy to kite. It is sideshore and usually blows for 1-5 days at a time. When it stops, nice waves can form for surfing and from spring to fall there is a constant thermal, which is also called Marinada in Catalonia. When the weather is fine and there is a sufficient temperature difference between night/day and land/water, it builds up from around 1 to 2 pm and often blows with the Xaloc (SE). It is better in spring than in fall. It can be too hot in August. It blows best at this spot and in the north.
Suitable for
The spot is suitable for beginners and intermediates. There are several kite stations along the beach. Advanced kitesurfers, wingfoilers, windsurfers and pros will also get their money’s worth and love the constant wind and the large bay.
Kite schools in the Golf de Roses
There are several kite schools along the beach. Some are mobile and others have a small kite station behind the dune. All of them offer kitesurfing courses and often windsurfing and wingfoiling. You can also hire equipment from all of them and some also have a kiteshop. In summer, they sometimes teach from a boat, as the training and kite zones do not offer enough space. If there is no wind, surf courses, SUP, kayak or bike tours are also offered. In winter, you can also go snowkiting or take skiing and snowboarding lessons.
Kiteschulen in Sant Pere Pescador
- Escola Kite Surf
im Zentrum von Sant Pere Pescador - Kite Experience
neben Càmping La Gaviota Costa Brava - Impulse
vor dem Camping L’amfora
- La Wind
beim Camping Aquarius - Kite Escape
mobile Schule - Fase Wind
im Camping Las Dunas - ION Club Golf de Rose
im Camping La Ballena Alegre
Behavior at the spot
From June to September there are three kite zones in the bay of the Golf de Roses. They are marked with buoys and flags. The northernmost zone is at the La Rubina spot. The middle kite zone is between the campsites, as shown on the spot map. It is free for everyone to use and its location can vary slightly. Pay attention to the signs on site and consult the kite schools. The southernmost kite zone is located in front of the ION Club and can be used free of charge by everyone. The zones are 200 meters wide and about half of them are used by the kite schools for training. To the south of Camping Aquarius there is a training-only zone reserved for kite schools. It is important in all zones that you pay attention to beginners, do not stay too long in the zone and only use it as a corridor to get to a 200 meter distance from the coast. This way, everyone can take off and land safely when there is a lot of traffic. Note that there are separate zones for windsurfers and wingfoilers, e.g. at the harbor parking lot. Ask the schools where they are located. Otherwise, the general rules of right of way and conduct, friendly cooperation and mutual consideration apply. Leave the beach clean, pay attention to plants, animals and people in and around the water.
Best time
There are generally good windy days all year round. In winter, the Tramuntana is often even stormier and colder, many places are closed and finding a parking space is difficult due to the altitude restrictions. A good time is from March to June and from September to November, with the best months being May, June and September. In July and August, the crowds are very large and there is little space due to the kite zones. In August it is often too hot for the thermals.
Parking and overnight stays
There are several gravel parking lots along the beach. Almost all of them have a height restriction. Therefore, if you have a higher camper, you will either have to use one of the campsites or use the paid harbor parking lot in the north, where you can also spend the night. Alternatively, you can park at Camping La Ballena Alegre during the day and use the kite zone at the ION Club. You can park for free for 3 hours with proof from the kite station and then pay for each additional hour. In the low season, when the campsites are closed, it becomes more difficult. This leaves you almost exclusively with the harbor parking lot. At the southern end of Camping La Ballena Alegre, where the ION Club is integrated, a tarred and then gravel road leads you to the beach.
If the campsite is closed and the ION Club is open, they suggest parking there. There is not much space and your camper is not in sight. There is another gravel road to the beach 400m along the beach at the end of a small settlement. There is not much space there and the signs may change. But you will see your camper.
Due to the height restrictions and the prohibition signs, with a night parking ban for campers, free standing is not welcome in the area. There are several small and large campsites along the coast and inland. They have different opening hours, but all are closed in winter. Only the harbor parking lot is open all year round, but you should be self-sufficient.
TIP If you are arriving by plane, you can hire a camper van specially equipped for water sports from Activ Vans or Kite Experience .
Surroundings
The beach is relatively secluded and is lively in summer due to the campsites. In the hinterland you will find small and larger villages, some of which are also inhabited in the low season. We would therefore describe the area as local. The campsites offer childcare and entertainment for young and old and there are always playgrounds in the villages. Otherwise, the beach itself is a nice playground when the sand isn’t flying through the air. Even non-kiters can experience a lot in the area. You can enjoy all kinds of water sports and the area is ideal for hiking, cycling or immersing yourself in the culture. Dogs are not allowed on the beach in summer. They are welcome on the campsites. There are bars in the towns and at the campsites for a cozy evening. For more nightlife, you have to go to Roses, Figueres or Girona.
Along the beach, behind the dune, there are always beach bars with toilets and sometimes showers. The latter are also provided by the campsites. There are volleyball nets and goals on the beach. There are garbage cans at the parking lots.
No Wind Action
The wide, long, fine sandy beach is ideal for sandcastles and a nice day at the beach together. Flying sand can make it uncomfortable, especially at Tramuntana (N). It is therefore advisable to protect yourself from the wind or to avoid the beach with children. Nice little waves can form that are suitable for surfing. You can explore the coast or the Fluvia river by SUP or kayak. But the underwater world also has a lot to offer, so you will find several diving centers on site. The long bay is located at the south-eastern end of the Pryrenees, making the area ideal for hiking, climbing, cycling or horse riding. In winter, you will find good snow for skiing, snowboarding and sometimes snowkiting. Get tips from the kite schools.
My tip
The long Gulf of Roses is particularly suitable in the low season, when the zones are not yet in force but the wind is still good. You can then use the entire beach for kitesurfing and will meet many like-minded people. In summer, the beach section becomes very narrow due to the zones and shrinks from 6 km to 400 meters.
The surrounding area offers plenty of nature, history and culture, so that even non-kiters will get their money’s worth. There are plenty of leisure activities on offer, so nobody should get bored, even if there is no wind. There is plenty for children on the campsites, making the area ideal for a relaxing vacation with the whole family.
There are several mobile and fixed kitesurfing schools along the coast that offer various sports and leisure activities in addition to kitesurfing. The spot is also ideal for beginners and advanced kiters. Advanced kiters and professionals will also get their money’s worth on this long beach.
The description is an excerpt from our kitespot descriptions in the kitesurfing travel guide: Kitesurfing in Spain. For even more detailed information about the spot, many more kitespots and useful tips about the island and how to get there, you can order our Spain kitesurfing travel guide in our kiteshop.
