A family, a sailboat and the Strait of Gibraltar
About us
We are a family business based in Tarifa, born from a love of the sea. Our intimate knowledge of the coast and the city fuels our passion as the only dedicated sailing trip provider in Tarifa, creating unforgettable experiences for hundreds of visitors from all over the world.
Not everyone has a boat, but we believe everyone deserves to experience the extraordinary. That's why we open up our sailboat, the YEMAYA, to those who want to truly live the sea: sailing under canvas, anchoring in crystal-clear water, tasting homemade tortilla and watching Africa on the horizon.
Every trip is in a small group, unhurried and at your pace. We love sharing what we know: about the wind, the Strait and Tarifa. We look forward to having you on board.
We sail aboard YEMAYA, a Beneteau Océanis 323: a stable, spacious and well-maintained sailing yacht ideal for day sails on the Strait, safe for families and comfortable for beginners. Between Fernando and Marc we cover Spanish, English and French, so every guest feels at home.
Our mission is simple: share the love of the sea. We believe a few hours under sail (feeling the wind fill the canvas, watching dolphins play off the bow, eating tortilla with Africa in the distance) can change how you see the world. The wonderful photographs on this site were taken by Ben Welsh, whose eye for light and sea brings our experience to life before you've even set foot on board.
Meet your skippers
Fernando
Founder and skipper
I'm Fernando, professional skipper and founder of Tarifa Sailing Experiences. About fifteen years ago I was lucky enough that my friend Javi invited me out for a sail on his boat, the MARTINA. The moment we hoisted the sails and switched off the engine, I knew sailing was going to be my new passion. From then on I worked through every stage until I became a professional skipper, while still working in my profession as a shipping agent.
I bought my first sailboat, the Brendhan, back in 2012, and since then I've sailed many times alone and many more with family and friends. The idea for Tarifa Sailing Experiences was born quietly, watching how those guests almost always felt the same magic that hooked me on my very first day. Sailing creates a connection with the sea that no other kind of boat can match.
Tarifa itself is a magical place for that first time under sail. More often than not our only engine is the wind: the moment we leave the harbour aboard YEMAYA, we're on a balcony looking out at Africa, sailing between two seas.
Besides sailing, my other great passion is cooking. I was always at my mother's side learning her secrets, and I still keep many of her kitchen tools today: it's my way of carrying on cooking with her, even though she's no longer here. And I probably owe my love of the sea to my father: it was in his little boat, the TIRRINTXU, which he built himself, that I first went sailing and fishing off Ogeia beach, near Bedarona, a village on the Basque coast.
For me, Tarifa Sailing Experiences isn't really a business. It's a way of sharing our love of the sea with our guests, and turning that experience into one of the best memories of their holiday.
Marc
Skipper
I'm Marc, a professional skipper with a deep love of the sea. My journey in sailing and boat travel began more than two decades ago, in 2001, when I turned my passion into my way of life. I was born in Barcelona and have always felt a special connection to nature, the sea and outdoor sports, especially board and glide sports.
Throughout my career I have worked as a sailing and seamanship instructor, training sailors and sharing my knowledge and experience. I have crossed the Atlantic Ocean five times and also sailed across the Pacific on my own sailboat. I have sailed almost the entire Mediterranean, the Caribbean and the islands of the South Pacific, discovering some of the most spectacular places on the planet. My most memorable voyage was the trip from Barcelona, my home city, to New Zealand, an adventure that marked a turning point in my life.
On many of these voyages I have shared life aboard my own sailboat with travellers from all over the world, offering them a close and authentic experience. Beyond the sailing itself, I have personally taken care of every detail of the journey, from preparing the meals to organising excursions and activities, creating unique experiences that let people discover the sea, nature and each destination in a special and unforgettable way.
One of my main goals is to bring sailing closer to everyone, showing that it can be an accessible, exciting and enriching experience for anyone. I love sharing the magic of the sea and helping more people discover the freedom you feel sailing under canvas.
