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Kites over Kite Beach near Santa Maria
Photo: Tbo47
Kites beyond the shore break at Kite Beach, Sal.
Photo: Tbo47
Kites rigged and flying at Costa da Fragata.
Photo: Franzfoto
The salt pans north of Santa Maria, Sal.
Photo: Waielbi

Cape Verde

Mar · 88% rideable

Sal, Kite Beach

What it's actually like

Kiters get about three kilometres of open beach under the trade wind, onshore to side-onshore, from December to June. February and May are windy more than nine days in ten, and the waves come in clean at high tide. Never kite here alone.

When it's good

Is it for you?

  • LevelBody dragger

    Centres teach all levels daily, so you can start here with a centre.

  • WaterMillpond to head-high

    Flat, choppy or wavy as the wind builds, with waves always bigger than Santa Maria.

  • LaunchMind your feet

    About three kilometres of open sand to rig on, with the reefs further out.

  • WetsuitShorty

    Sea about 22 °C in March: a shorty, plus a long sleeve on windy days.

  • AprèsGoes off till sunrise

    53 bars, 3 clubs and 116 places to eat within 5 km: the night's yours.

  • CostMid

    A full kite set for the day costs 70 or 71 euros at two centres.

Where to launch

Conditions change. Check local rules and conditions before you ride.

  • Launch
  • Parking
  • School
  • Stay
  • Kite Beach

    Open beach, wind onshore to side-onshore.

  • Santa Maria Bay

    The bay in front of Santa Maria, with further Kite Beach Water Sports Center centres.

Getting there

  • Nearest airportSal (SID). Amílcar Cabral International is on Sal itself, so you step off the plane on the island.
  • Flying with a board bagTUI Airways, TUI fly Deutschland, easyJet, TUI fly Netherlands. Flying into Sal (SID)? Tap through to their board bag rules and fees before you book.
  • Getting aroundTaxi or shuttle. Kite Beach is 10 to 15 minutes by taxi from Santa Maria, and the schools run hotel transfers, so you needn’t hire a car.

Stay, learn and rent

Full details for every place are in the Pocket Guide.

Book links to Booking.com and Agoda may earn WindChaser a commission, at no extra cost to you.

Pocket Guide

Sal, Kite Beach, in your pocket

Everything you need on the beach in one PDF. Save it to your phone and it works with no signal.

01The month: wind, conditions and water02Every hazard, and the local rules03The launches, with maps04Getting there with kit05Stays, schools and kit hire06Where every score comes from

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