Few shores in España are as forgiving for your first time on a windsurf board as the Mar Menor side. You fall in, stand up and pull the sail back up without having to swim. That's why between km 2 and km 12 of La Manga there are five schools that have spent years teaching children and adults with the same method: lots of repetition in calm water.
This guide explains why it is such a good place to learn, which schools there are, when it is worth coming and which rules you should know before renting a board.
Quick fact
The water of the Mar Menor is much saltier than that of the Mediterráneo: on 13 October 2026 the Canal Mar Menor buoy, run by the regional government, read 42,7 salinity and 24,3 °C. More salt means you float more, and you will be grateful for that every time you have to climb back onto the board.
Why the Mar Menor is so good for learning to windsurf
It's three things at once. First, the depth: along much of the shore you can stand throughout the lesson, something almost every beginner at the local schools points out. Second, there are no waves: the lagoon is enclosed by La Manga itself and the water stays flat even when it's windy, so you can focus on the sail rather than your balance. Third, the wind pattern: in the morning it's usually gentle and steady, perfect for your first hours, and in the afternoon the thermal breeze kicks in, which is when the people who can already hold their own head out.
The water is also mild for much of the year, which stretches the season at both ends. In May or October a shorty wetsuit is all you need to sail comfortably.
Windsurfing schools in La Manga
These are the schools listed in our directory that teach windsurfing, from south to north:
| School | Where | What it teaches |
|---|---|---|
| Cavanna Wind | Plaza Cavanna, next to the hotel, km 2 | Windsurfing, dinghy sailing and catamaran; kayak and paddle board hire |
| Tatowind | Km 2 | Windsurfing for teenagers and adults, Optimist for kids and kayak routes around the islands |
| Dos Mares Wind | Playa de la Isla del Ciervo, exit 27, km 3 | Windsurfing, sailing and catamaran from scratch; kayak and paddle surf hire |
| Escuela de Vela Sandrina | Edificio Orfeo, km 5 | Optimist, dinghy sailing, windsurfing and catamaran; school groups |
| David's Sailing School | Puerto Tomás Maestre, west side, km 12 | Sailing and windsurfing for children and adults; closed on Sundays |
Outside La Manga itself, KSurf La Manga runs windsurfing and dinghy sailing courses inside the Playa Honda campsite, on the southern shore of the Mar Menor, very close to the entrance to La Manga. For children aged 6 to 13, Campus Náutico Dacar is a summer camp in the Club Náutico Dos Mares that includes windsurfing among other activities.
If you're after something different (kitesurfing, wingfoil, paddle surfing or boat hire), you'll find the rest in water sports in La Manga.
Best time to learn windsurfing in La Manga
For a beginners' course, May to October. Morning lessons make the most of the gentle wind and, if you choose June or September, you'll get warm water and a less crowded shore than in August. In July and August the children's courses fill up sooner: book ahead.
If you already sail, spring and autumn bring the windiest days, and summer afternoons have the thermal breeze almost daily. You can also go out in winter, with a full wetsuit; ask first which schools open out of season, because not all of them do.
A useful tip: when the levante (easterly) blows, on the La Manga shore facing the Mar Menor the wind comes off the land and pushes you out into the lagoon. In a strong levante, if you're a beginner, don't go out without an instructor.
Rules worth knowing
Spain's General Coastal Regulations (art. 73) forbid sailing any wind-powered craft inside the buoyed swimming areas, and require you to leave and return through the marked channels. Where there are no buoys, the first 200 metres from the beach count as a swimming area and you cannot exceed 3 knots. In summer many beaches on the Mar Menor have jellyfish nets: inside them, swimmers only.
If you rent a board to go out on your own, ask the school how far you can go with that equipment. The Isla del Ciervo is very close to the shore at km 3 and it is tempting to sail round it, but that is not always allowed with rental gear.
How to choose a course
The list
- 1Single lesson or multi-day course: to really learn, a course of several short sessions is better. Some students say that after five days they were already sailing on their own.
- 2Ask how many students there are per instructor and whether the instructor is in the water or on a support boat.
- 3Check that the price includes board, sail, wetsuit and life jacket, and ask for the rates in writing.
- 4With kids, check whether there are groups by age. Several schools start with Optimist dinghies before moving on to the board.
- 5Ask what happens if there's no wind one day: whether the lesson is rescheduled or lost.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need to be able to swim?
Yes, and you'll wear a life jacket. Being able to stand along much of the shore helps a lot, but it's no substitute for knowing how to swim.
Can children learn?
Yes. Tatowind, Sandrina and KSurf run courses for children, and Campus Náutico Dacar takes ages 6 to 13. The minimum age for windsurfing varies by school, so ask when you book.
What if I'd rather just swim?
In the La Manga beach guide you have the Mar Menor beaches stretch by stretch, and if you are going with kids, the best Mar Menor beaches for children.
If kites are your thing, see our guide to kitesurfing in La Manga: where to learn.
