THE SPECIALISTS IN SOTOGRANDE

Few places offer such a wide range of sporting activities in such a natural setting. It is probably most famous for its first class golf courses and superb yachting marina but can also boast international polo grounds, tennis clubs, paddle and fronton clubs, sailing school, riding stables and beautiful sandy beaches. All in all it is a Sportsman’s paradise.

For those seeking gentler pursuits the nearby Alcornocales Natural Park has some lovely walking trails amongst the vast natural cork forests and along the coastline there are excellent opportunities for bird-watching and whale spotting.

Sotogrande is home to some of the best golf courses in Europe including Valderrama, host to the 1997 Ryder Cup and the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande, both designed by Robert Trent Jones. Visitors can also choose from La Reserva, Almenara’s 27 holes and La Canada. Nearby San Roque now has two courses and the picturesque Alcaidesa is worth a visit. Set amongst this beautiful setting it is a haven for golf lovers of all levels. Please click here for more information.

This thrilling spectator sport is now an important part of the summer season in Sotogrande. Throughout July and August players come from all over Europe to compete and at times there can be up to ten matches a day. Most are played at the famous Santa Maria Polo Club and all are welcome to come and watch this masterful and ancient sport. Please click here for more information.

Situated in the Port of Sotogrande, Yachting Sotogrande offers a wide variety of sailing and motorboat facilities. They run a range of courses for novices and experienced sailors at their established RHA sailing school and arrange catamaran, yacht and motor cruiser charter and hire – either skippered or un-skippered.
Their qualified and experienced skippers also run various excursions to Morocco, Ceuta, the dramatic Atlantic beach of Tarifa, explorations along the tranquil Mediterranean coves or a cruise along the coast to Puerto Banus for lunch. For more details visit website www.yachtingsotogrande.com
The Port of Sotogrande also offers chartered cruises, deep sea game fishing and sailing regattas.

El Cucurucho Beach Club is in a prime location with the Mediterranean on one side and Real Club de Golf on the other. There are meticulously maintained lawns and sun loungers neatly arranged around the pools with the sandy beach just a few steps away and rush umbrellas providing shade.
The restaurant is a favourite meeting place for Sotogrande residents and in the summer months runs a superb buffet. On the beach you can hang out at one of the Chiringuitos, a beach bar serving drinks and hot snacks or treat yourself at the ice cream bar.
There are four swimming pools, including a family pool and a supervised children’s area which has a splash pool for infants and a larger pool for older children. There are also showers, sauna, massage and changing rooms.
It is possible to pay on a daily, weekly or annual basis except July and August when you have to take a minimum of one week’s membership and guests of Almenara Hotel can use El Cucurucho Beach Club free of charge.

El Octogono is set in the Puerto area, where most of the apartments stand between the River Guadiaro and the marina. In summer, people often spend their entire day at the club relaxing by the pool with the restaurant at hand for drinks, snacks, tapas, hamburgers and baguettes.
The beach club caters for everyone. They have an adult only area with a large pool and sunbathing area as well as a separate children’s area which has two pools (one for toddlers), a supervised play area and access to the restaurant for snacks.
El Octogono is the best placed of the two beach clubs for watersports. There is catamaran sailing from the sailing school, jet-skiing and waterskiing off the beach nearby and kayaking on the River Guadiaro, where a natural lagoon has formed at the river mouth providing an ideal place to learn the skills in a safe environment. It is possible to pay on a daily, weekly or monthly basis except in July when you have to take a minimum of one week’s membership.

Sotogrande Racquet Centre is located adjacent to El Cucurucho Beach Club and offers superb racquet sport facilities. The centre has 3 tennis, 8 paddle tennis, 1 glass paddle tennis and 4 pelota courts. Classes are available for players of all standards.
El Octogono Club has 6 tennis courts (3 fast surface, 3 clay) and 5 paddle courts offering group and individual lessons.
The Club de Golf Sotogrande has 2 championship tennis and paddle courts.

Sotogrande Equestrian Centre is one of the most well-known horse riding schools in Spain and has taught many professionals over the years. Located near the heart of the resort it has two equestrian schools offering riding, horse-jumping and dressage lessons and guided horseback excursions.
The San Roque Club in the town of San Roque also has superb facilities for the keen rider offering countryside treks in the local natural parks of Tesorillo, San Enrique and Jimena. The Club is home to 22 horses and has qualified instructors for all levels and age groups.

The Straits of Gibraltar and surrounding area have proved to be an excellent place for spotting dolphin and whales. Watching these graceful animals in their natural environment is a magical experience for everyone and if you are lucky there is a chance of seeing dolphin, pilot whales, sperm whales, orcas and toothless fin whales.
The Original Dolphin Safari: www.dolphinsafari.gi
Whale Watch Tarifa: www.firmm.org