Last Updated on February 20, 2024

While still not very wide spread, there surely is potential for sandboarding as a mainstream sport in Spain.

The region of Andalusia is home to the Tabernas Desert, the only desert in Europe (!), and while the landscape there is partly protected, there are many coastal dunes nearby where you can sand surf.

In the island of Gran Canaria, geographically located in Africa close to Morocco, you can even sled down dunes that look straight out of the Sahara!

Maspalomas Sand Dunes - Gran Canaria
Maspalomas Sand Dunes in Gran Canaria.

Tarifa is the southernmost point in Europe, located at the very edge of the Iberian Peninsula, near Cadiz and on the “border” with Morocco.

There are many beaches surrounding Tarifa with plenty of great sand dunes with very fine golden sand where sand boarding and sledding are practiced:

Duna de Bolonia

A dune located next to the Roman ruins of Baelo Claudia, which is an archaeological site that offers an interesting glimpse into the past, and the surrounding area is a protected natural park.

This location offers opportunities for various activities such as sunbathing, swimming, sandboarding and windsurfing.

Duna de Valdevaqueros

Dune located between the towns of Tarifa and Bolonia and known for its large size and shape, which makes it a popular spot for windsurfing and kitesurfing.

Cala del Tesorillo

Along with the Duna de Bolonia and the beach of the same name, Cala del Tesorillo bay forms part of one of the most unspoiled corners of the coast of Cadiz.

Punta Paloma

Punta Paloma is a beach located in the province of Cadiz, in Andalusia, southern Spain. It is located near Tarifa and is known for its beautiful scenery and crystal-clear waters.

The beach is popular for windsurfing, kitesurfing, and other water sports. It’s a great place to enjoy the sun, sea and sand.


The Canary Islands are a truly unique place in Spain – geographically located in a position that is closer to Africa than Europe, they benefit from sunny, warm weather all year round.

This makes them an amazing destination for sand surfing!

The Dunas de Corralejo in Fuerteventura and the Maspalomas Dunes in Gran Canaria are the two locations where sandboarding can be practiced.

Maspalomas Sand Dunes
Dunas de Maspalomas. Photo courtesy of Thomas Tolkien.

Dunas de Maspalomas – Gran Canaria

The sand dunes of Maspalomas, in the Playa del Inglés, are thought to be made of the same sand of the nearby Sahara desert – and it shows.

These spectacular dunes of incredibly fine sand will transport you to another place.


Dunas de Corralejo in Fuerteventura
Dunas de Corralejo. Photo courtesy of Rafolas.

Dunas de Corralejo – Fuerteventura

The fishing village of Corralejo in the island of Fuerteventura is becoming more and more of a trendy (sand) surfing destination.

The Parque Natural de Corralejo is where you can find the dunes, which stretch for several kilometers along the coast.

There are no sandboard rentals available but most people attempt to surf the dunes with a bodyboard or surfboard – if you can get your hand on some sand wax, you are gonna have a much easier time.

If you’re looking for a little more adventure, head to the nearby inactive volcano, Bayuyo, for a hike to the top.

The views from the summit are breathtaking and well worth the climb.


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