Spain is widely considered as one of the top European destinations for wind surfers. With that in mind, one of the top towns is Tarifa. This quiet town is largely untouched by tourism compared with other areas of Spain, and so it retains a quaint charm. If you do windsurf then you will probably already have heard of the place, as these beaches are considered the best in the world - if you’re new to windsurfing then it still worth going along, giving it a go and experiencing some of the best conditions for the sport.

So, first things first, how do you get there?  Well with many cheap flights available on the net it is relatively easy - simply check out a good site such as Travelzoo for availability, and you’ll probably be able to find a bargain. Tarifa is very near to the city of Cadiz, from which you can get a coach or rent a car.

Tarifa is very close to the southernmost part of Europe and it is extremely close to Africa – that means that it is hot virtually all year round. The main factor that makes it so good for windsurfing is the predominance of two prevailing winds, one sweeps in from the Atlantic during the autumn and spring months while he other - and by far the better for windsurfing – blows through the Straights of Gibraltar. Not only is this one stronger, it is also a good deal warmer. The winds are usually strongest in the afternoon, and drop off in the evening, so if you want to go out and party you still can without being blown away!

If you get bored of windsurfing, which is difficult to imagine, then you could take time out to see if you can spot any of the whales that are found off the shores of Tarifa. There are two types of whale found in the area. Firstly, there are the Pilot Whales, which are present all year round. Secondly, there are Killer Whales who are visible for a couple of months in the middle of the year.  If you can't get a good enough view from the beach then there are plenty of boat trips, boats to hire. 

In the evening, when the wind drops off, there are also a number of bars and restaurants from 'party animal' to 'more chilled out'.  Remember though that things don't really get going until around 1 am, which is usually fine if you're there for the windsurfing because the wind doesn't pick up again until the afternoon.

If you’ve been inspired to take a wind surfing trip to Tarifa, then check out James Villas for a range of Spain holidays. Also, don’t forget your travel insurance, which can be supplied by Go Travel at low cost.

Located just off the coast of North West Africa, The Canary Islands offer some of the world’s top surf spots. Their picturesque setting, with volcanic mountains in the background and miles of sandy warm beaches is very appealing, as is the fun nightlife, which should be full of like-minded backpackers with waves and partying on their mind.  Here are three spots in the Canaries to take your board, wax and wet suit.

Fuerteventura

One of the perks of this place is that it feels like a desert landscape with cactus plants, a hot sun and white stretches of beach. It is a popular destination because it provides consistent surf and much of the great places to catch waves are still quite hidden and unspoiled by tourists or packs of surfers. The spots have a mixed swell so a beginner can enjoy the smaller foams while the more pro-riders can take on the larger waves. Fuerteventura itself is a nice place to perch for a few daysit has a good collection of shops, bars and clubs where you'll no doubt be able to bump into fellow surfers and share stories.

Lanzarote

It isn't only clubbers who make a beeline for this location; it also has 1,500 metres of beach to tempt surfers from across the world. Famara is a fishing village that boasts some nice medium-sized waves on the beach of San Juan. Famara beach has long stretch of sand and gentle lapping waves to get the beginner up and running. Because it's set in a village you can rent surfboards from nearby shacks if you're not sure what length of board you want to try. Beginners may find a longboard suits them best though; it suits the smaller waves and gives you that extra balance you need.

Tenerife

Again,a popular tourist resort but also a well- qualified surfing zone. The volcanic nature of Tenerife has given it some unusual black beaches and some killer waves. They are of a mixed standard; some beaches offer the more rippling waves for the beginner, but there are some rocky point breaks for the more hardcore and skilled. The Playa Las Americas beach in La Troya, south Tenerife, has some large rolling waves to get you going. Tenerife's nightlife is also a blast and is sure to be a fun way to end a day of surfing and a good place to meet fellow beach fans.

Staying in a hostel is a good way of saving money if you're on a shoestring budget, especially as it's unlikely that you'll be spending much time indoors if you're out catching waves. Check out HostelBookers for a list of hostels in the area. If you're taking a surfboard away with you on holiday, you'll definitely want to take travel insurance. There are some good packages for backpackers at Go Travel Insurance, which will cover any potential damages.