Odjo d’Agua
A Santa Maria hotel with its own kite centre and a restaurant terrace on the sea. The shuttle to Kite Beach is free for lesson students.
Cape Verde
May · 92% rideableWhat 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.
Kite Beach is on the east side of Sal. Three kilometres of open sand face the trade wind. For years it was called Shark Bay, though that was more a name than a sign of sharks. Kite Beach Water Sports Center runs a beach club here with a restaurant and a shop on the sand, so ask your centre what is open that day.
December to June is the season, and it is the reason to fly in. In every one of those months more than eight days in ten clear 12 knots for three daylight hours or more. February and May reach more than nine in ten, and July and August are the flat months, at under half. The main season runs from 1 December to 30 April, with good wind often from October to the end of May. Come in February and expect to be reliably powered up.
At low tide the water is not very deep, so take care; at high tide the waves come in clean. North of Kite Beach, Cabesa sits behind a mountain, with lighter, more broken wind, smaller waves and fewer kiters. Santa Maria Bay is spacious and calm, but the wind blows across the land, side-offshore at one end, gusty and lighter than at Kite Beach. Watch for swimmers and sunbathers, and never walk with a kite in the air across that beach.
The west coast is another world: mainly offshore wind and usually very high waves around Ponta Preta. On the south coast, the beach by the Riu hotel near Ponta Preta is offshore, for advanced riders only. Launch by the dunes in front of the hotel and kite to the right of the yellow buoys, as the water to the left is for ships. Bring someone to help you launch and land. KBC runs its surf lessons at high tide because of a reef break, so ask where the reef sits.
Rules and safety. Never kite at Kite Beach alone, at any time, and have someone watching in case of trouble. KBC hires kite kit only to experienced kitesurfers who can ride upwind constantly, even in waves, and turn and gybe smoothly. No official rules are posted for the beach, so ask a centre for the local emergency number before you ride. Ride with others, and with a centre on the beach.
Kite Beach Water Sports Center teaches kite, wing foil, surf and stand-up paddle. Kiteboarding Club Sal (KBC) runs IKO courses in pairs. If you bring your own kit, its launch and landing service sends a beach helper to set up, launch and land your kite and keep an eye on you. Free hotel transfers for course riders are morabeza, the Cape Verdean warmth for a guest, in practice. The water is 21 to 24°C in winter, and short wetsuits are for hire. New to the sport? Start with a school.
It blows all day, so plan around the morning and the afternoon: in February three days in four are windy at 8am, nine in ten by early afternoon. Get out early. Kites of 9 to 12 metres suit a rider of average weight. It can get busy on the water, but a little patience usually finds a quieter window, and the waves are cleaner at high tide. Between sessions, the small bar on the beach sells drinks, so bring a snack and some water, and there is no toilet.
LevelNot checked yet
Centres teach every level daily, but never kite here alone or hire kit unless experienced.
LevelBody dragger
Centres teach all levels daily, so you can start here with a centre.
LevelNot checked yet
ION Club Santa Maria teaches beginner wing, with daily trips out to Kite Beach.
WaterMillpond to head-high
Flat to choppy to wavy as the trade picks up, with bigger waves than town.
WaterMillpond to head-high
Flat, choppy or wavy as the wind builds, with waves always bigger than Santa Maria.
WaterMillpond to head-high
Expect chop and waves once the trade picks up, higher than at Santa Maria.
LaunchMind your feet
About three kilometres of open sand, with the reefs lying further out in the water.
LaunchMind your feet
About three kilometres of open sand to rig on, with the reefs further out.
LaunchMind your feet
Three kilometres of open sand to launch from, reefs lying further out in the water.
WetsuitShorty
Sea about 23 °C in May: a shorty, plus a long sleeve on windy days.
WetsuitShorty
Sea about 23 °C in May: a shorty, plus a long sleeve on windy days.
WetsuitShorty
Sea about 23 °C in May: 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.
AprèsGoes off till sunrise
53 bars, 3 clubs and 116 places to eat within 5 km: the night's yours.
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 one day at two centres on the island.
CostMid
A full kite set for the day costs 70 or 71 euros at two centres.
CostMid
Kite Beach Water Sports Center hires wing kit; a full kite set is 71 euros.
Conditions change. Check local rules and conditions before you ride.
Open beach, wind onshore to side-onshore.
For kite, wing. Directions: Google Maps · Apple Maps
The bay in front of Santa Maria, with further Kite Beach Water Sports Center centres.
For kite. Directions: Google Maps · Apple Maps
Full details for every place are in the Pocket Guide.
A Santa Maria hotel with its own kite centre and a restaurant terrace on the sea. The shuttle to Kite Beach is free for lesson students.
Beachfront on Santa Maria bay, with a wing and SUP centre beside the beach club. It suits riders, and Kite Beach is about five minutes’ drive.
Modern apartments in Santa Maria, about 300 m from the beach, at moderate prices.
Apartments right on Santa Maria beach by the old fishing pier, each with a patio and pool access. It suits riders.
A Santa Maria hotel about eight minutes’ walk from the beach. It suits riders, and the kite courses include the shuttle to Kite Beach.
A family guesthouse in Santa Maria, in the same building as the Santa Kite school, with rooms and apartments for groups.
Learn kite, wing foil, surf and paddle at Kite Beach and Santa Maria Bay. The kiting season runs November to May.
Group courses from 90 euros at Kite Beach, two students to an instructor, taught to IKO standards. A hotel shuttle comes with the course.
No photo yet
Lessons for all levels, daily 9am to 6pm, with free hotel transfers for course riders, so you just show up.
Beginner kite courses from the Santa Maria beach centre, with daily trips out to Kite Beach, and beginner windsurf and wing as well.
A small Santa Maria school where VDWS-certified coaches teach beginner kite and wing, with rooms in the same building and camp packages.
For experienced riders only. Full sets from 35 euros, with storage and a launch service so a helper has your lines.
Hire, store your kit and browse the kite shop, all in one stop.
Kite hire from the Santa Maria beach centre, ridden at Kite Beach because the water out front is side-offshore and for experienced riders only.
Book links to Booking.com and Agoda may earn WindChaser a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Pocket Guide
Everything you need on the beach in one PDF. Save it to your phone and it works with no signal.
Spots that blow in January for kite.
Lancelin Western Australia, Australia 29 rideable days in Jan Photo: Bahnfrend
Aruba - Fishermans Huts Hadicurari, Aruba 29 rideable days in Jan Photo: Vlad Podvorny
Bulabog, Boracay Western Visayas, Philippines 28 rideable days in Jan Photo: Roman Nuritdinov
Lac Bay Sorobon, Bonaire 27 rideable days in Jan Photo: dronepicr Spots that blow in February for kite.
Aruba - Fishermans Huts Hadicurari, Aruba 27 rideable days in Feb Photo: Vlad Podvorny
Lac Bay Sorobon, Bonaire 26 rideable days in Feb Photo: dronepicr
Bulabog, Boracay Western Visayas, Philippines 26 rideable days in Feb Photo: Roman Nuritdinov
Tiree Inner Hebrides, United Kingdom 25 rideable days in Feb Photo: Gordon Hatton
Mui Ne Binh Thuan, Vietnam 25 rideable days in Feb Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg Spots that blow in March for kite.
Aruba - Fishermans Huts Hadicurari, Aruba 30 rideable days in Mar Photo: Vlad Podvorny
Bulabog, Boracay Western Visayas, Philippines 28 rideable days in Mar Photo: Roman Nuritdinov
Lac Bay Sorobon, Bonaire 28 rideable days in Mar Photo: dronepicr
Lancelin Western Australia, Australia 26 rideable days in Mar Photo: Bahnfrend Spots that blow in April for kite.
Aruba - Fishermans Huts Hadicurari, Aruba 29 rideable days in Apr Photo: Vlad Podvorny
Lac Bay Sorobon, Bonaire 28 rideable days in Apr Photo: dronepicr
Dakhla Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab, Morocco 25 rideable days in Apr Photo: Lärchenholz Spots that blow in May for kite.
Aruba - Fishermans Huts Hadicurari, Aruba 31 rideable days in May Photo: Vlad Podvorny
Lac Bay Sorobon, Bonaire 30 rideable days in May Photo: dronepicr
Kanaha Hawaii, United States 28 rideable days in May Photo: Kirt Edblom
Dakhla Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab, Morocco 28 rideable days in May Photo: Lärchenholz Spots that blow in June for kite.
Aruba - Fishermans Huts Hadicurari, Aruba 30 rideable days in Jun Photo: Vlad Podvorny
Lac Bay Sorobon, Bonaire 30 rideable days in Jun Photo: dronepicr
Kalpitiya North Western, Sri Lanka 30 rideable days in Jun Photo: Chanaka Palliyaguru
Kanaha Hawaii, United States 29 rideable days in Jun Photo: Kirt Edblom Spots that blow in July for kite.
Aruba - Fishermans Huts Hadicurari, Aruba 31 rideable days in Jul Photo: Vlad Podvorny
Kanaha Hawaii, United States 31 rideable days in Jul Photo: Kirt Edblom
Pozo Izquierdo Canary Islands, Spain 30 rideable days in Jul Photo: Nathalie Cools
Lac Bay Sorobon, Bonaire 30 rideable days in Jul Photo: dronepicr Spots that blow in August for kite.
Sakalava Bay Diego Suarez, Madagascar 31 rideable days in Aug Photo: Chirocca77
Icaraizinho Ceará, Brazil 31 rideable days in Aug Photo: Fabiobarros
Jericoacoara Ceará, Brazil 31 rideable days in Aug Photo: Jade Queiroz (MTur Destinos)
São Miguel do Gostoso Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil 31 rideable days in Aug Photo: Otávio Nogueira Spots that blow in September for kite.
Icaraizinho Ceará, Brazil 30 rideable days in Sep Photo: Fabiobarros
Jericoacoara Ceará, Brazil 30 rideable days in Sep Photo: Jade Queiroz (MTur Destinos)
São Miguel do Gostoso Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil 30 rideable days in Sep Photo: Otávio Nogueira
Cumbuco Ceará, Brazil 30 rideable days in Sep Photo: Otávio Nogueira Spots that blow in October for kite.
Jericoacoara Ceará, Brazil 31 rideable days in Oct Photo: Jade Queiroz (MTur Destinos)
Icaraizinho Ceará, Brazil 31 rideable days in Oct Photo: Fabiobarros
São Miguel do Gostoso Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil 31 rideable days in Oct Photo: Otávio Nogueira
Cumbuco Ceará, Brazil 29 rideable days in Oct Photo: Otávio Nogueira Spots that blow in November for kite.
Icaraizinho Ceará, Brazil 30 rideable days in Nov Photo: Fabiobarros
Jericoacoara Ceará, Brazil 29 rideable days in Nov Photo: Jade Queiroz (MTur Destinos)
São Miguel do Gostoso Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil 29 rideable days in Nov Photo: Otávio Nogueira
Lancelin Western Australia, Australia 27 rideable days in Nov Photo: Bahnfrend Spots that blow in December for kite.
Jericoacoara Ceará, Brazil 30 rideable days in Dec Photo: Jade Queiroz (MTur Destinos)
São Miguel do Gostoso Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil 30 rideable days in Dec Photo: Otávio Nogueira
Aruba - Fishermans Huts Hadicurari, Aruba 29 rideable days in Dec Photo: Vlad Podvorny
Icaraizinho Ceará, Brazil 29 rideable days in Dec Photo: Fabiobarros Spots that blow in January for windsurf.
Aruba - Fishermans Huts Hadicurari, Aruba 29 rideable days in Jan Photo: Vlad Podvorny
Lancelin Western Australia, Australia 28 rideable days in Jan Photo: Bahnfrend
Bulabog, Boracay Western Visayas, Philippines 26 rideable days in Jan Photo: Roman Nuritdinov
Mui Ne Binh Thuan, Vietnam 26 rideable days in Jan Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg Spots that blow in February for windsurf.
Aruba - Fishermans Huts Hadicurari, Aruba 26 rideable days in Feb Photo: Vlad Podvorny
Bulabog, Boracay Western Visayas, Philippines 25 rideable days in Feb Photo: Roman Nuritdinov
Lac Bay Sorobon, Bonaire 24 rideable days in Feb Photo: dronepicr
Tiree Inner Hebrides, United Kingdom 24 rideable days in Feb Photo: Gordon Hatton
Mui Ne Binh Thuan, Vietnam 24 rideable days in Feb Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg Spots that blow in March for windsurf.
Aruba - Fishermans Huts Hadicurari, Aruba 29 rideable days in Mar Photo: Vlad Podvorny
Lac Bay Sorobon, Bonaire 26 rideable days in Mar Photo: dronepicr
Bulabog, Boracay Western Visayas, Philippines 25 rideable days in Mar Photo: Roman Nuritdinov
Dakhla Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab, Morocco 24 rideable days in Mar Photo: Lärchenholz
Lancelin Western Australia, Australia 24 rideable days in Mar Photo: Bahnfrend Spots that blow in April for windsurf.
Aruba - Fishermans Huts Hadicurari, Aruba 29 rideable days in Apr Photo: Vlad Podvorny
Lac Bay Sorobon, Bonaire 25 rideable days in Apr Photo: dronepicr
Dakhla Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab, Morocco 23 rideable days in Apr Photo: Lärchenholz
Kanaha Hawaii, United States 22 rideable days in Apr Photo: Kirt Edblom Spots that blow in May for windsurf.
Aruba - Fishermans Huts Hadicurari, Aruba 31 rideable days in May Photo: Vlad Podvorny
Lac Bay Sorobon, Bonaire 29 rideable days in May Photo: dronepicr
Sakalava Bay Diego Suarez, Madagascar 28 rideable days in May Photo: Chirocca77
Dakhla Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab, Morocco 27 rideable days in May Photo: Lärchenholz Spots that blow in June for windsurf.
Aruba - Fishermans Huts Hadicurari, Aruba 30 rideable days in Jun Photo: Vlad Podvorny
Kalpitiya North Western, Sri Lanka 30 rideable days in Jun Photo: Chanaka Palliyaguru
Lac Bay Sorobon, Bonaire 30 rideable days in Jun Photo: dronepicr
Kanaha Hawaii, United States 29 rideable days in Jun Photo: Kirt Edblom Spots that blow in July for windsurf.
Aruba - Fishermans Huts Hadicurari, Aruba 31 rideable days in Jul Photo: Vlad Podvorny
Kanaha Hawaii, United States 30 rideable days in Jul Photo: Kirt Edblom
Pozo Izquierdo Canary Islands, Spain 30 rideable days in Jul Photo: Nathalie Cools
Lac Bay Sorobon, Bonaire 30 rideable days in Jul Photo: dronepicr Spots that blow in August for windsurf.
Jericoacoara Ceará, Brazil 31 rideable days in Aug Photo: Jade Queiroz (MTur Destinos)
Icaraizinho Ceará, Brazil 30 rideable days in Aug Photo: Fabiobarros
São Miguel do Gostoso Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil 30 rideable days in Aug Photo: Otávio Nogueira
Sakalava Bay Diego Suarez, Madagascar 30 rideable days in Aug Photo: Chirocca77 Spots that blow in September for windsurf.
Icaraizinho Ceará, Brazil 30 rideable days in Sep Photo: Fabiobarros
Jericoacoara Ceará, Brazil 30 rideable days in Sep Photo: Jade Queiroz (MTur Destinos)
São Miguel do Gostoso Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil 30 rideable days in Sep Photo: Otávio Nogueira
Sakalava Bay Diego Suarez, Madagascar 29 rideable days in Sep Photo: Chirocca77 Spots that blow in October for windsurf.
Jericoacoara Ceará, Brazil 31 rideable days in Oct Photo: Jade Queiroz (MTur Destinos)
São Miguel do Gostoso Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil 30 rideable days in Oct Photo: Otávio Nogueira
Icaraizinho Ceará, Brazil 30 rideable days in Oct Photo: Fabiobarros
Cumbuco Ceará, Brazil 27 rideable days in Oct Photo: Otávio Nogueira Spots that blow in November for windsurf.
Jericoacoara Ceará, Brazil 29 rideable days in Nov Photo: Jade Queiroz (MTur Destinos)
Icaraizinho Ceará, Brazil 29 rideable days in Nov Photo: Fabiobarros
São Miguel do Gostoso Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil 28 rideable days in Nov Photo: Otávio Nogueira
Lancelin Western Australia, Australia 26 rideable days in Nov Photo: Bahnfrend Spots that blow in December for windsurf.
Jericoacoara Ceará, Brazil 29 rideable days in Dec Photo: Jade Queiroz (MTur Destinos)
São Miguel do Gostoso Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil 28 rideable days in Dec Photo: Otávio Nogueira
Aruba - Fishermans Huts Hadicurari, Aruba 28 rideable days in Dec Photo: Vlad Podvorny
Icaraizinho Ceará, Brazil 27 rideable days in Dec Photo: Fabiobarros Spots that blow in January for wing.
Lancelin Western Australia, Australia 29 rideable days in Jan Photo: Bahnfrend
Aruba - Fishermans Huts Hadicurari, Aruba 29 rideable days in Jan Photo: Vlad Podvorny
Bulabog, Boracay Western Visayas, Philippines 28 rideable days in Jan Photo: Roman Nuritdinov
Lac Bay Sorobon, Bonaire 27 rideable days in Jan Photo: dronepicr Spots that blow in February for wing.
Aruba - Fishermans Huts Hadicurari, Aruba 27 rideable days in Feb Photo: Vlad Podvorny
Lac Bay Sorobon, Bonaire 26 rideable days in Feb Photo: dronepicr
Bulabog, Boracay Western Visayas, Philippines 26 rideable days in Feb Photo: Roman Nuritdinov
Tiree Inner Hebrides, United Kingdom 25 rideable days in Feb Photo: Gordon Hatton
Mui Ne Binh Thuan, Vietnam 25 rideable days in Feb Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg Spots that blow in March for wing.
Aruba - Fishermans Huts Hadicurari, Aruba 30 rideable days in Mar Photo: Vlad Podvorny
Bulabog, Boracay Western Visayas, Philippines 28 rideable days in Mar Photo: Roman Nuritdinov
Lac Bay Sorobon, Bonaire 28 rideable days in Mar Photo: dronepicr
Lancelin Western Australia, Australia 26 rideable days in Mar Photo: Bahnfrend Spots that blow in April for wing.
Aruba - Fishermans Huts Hadicurari, Aruba 29 rideable days in Apr Photo: Vlad Podvorny
Lac Bay Sorobon, Bonaire 28 rideable days in Apr Photo: dronepicr
Dakhla Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab, Morocco 25 rideable days in Apr Photo: Lärchenholz Spots that blow in May for wing.
Aruba - Fishermans Huts Hadicurari, Aruba 31 rideable days in May Photo: Vlad Podvorny
Lac Bay Sorobon, Bonaire 30 rideable days in May Photo: dronepicr
Kanaha Hawaii, United States 28 rideable days in May Photo: Kirt Edblom
Dakhla Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab, Morocco 28 rideable days in May Photo: Lärchenholz Spots that blow in June for wing.
Aruba - Fishermans Huts Hadicurari, Aruba 30 rideable days in Jun Photo: Vlad Podvorny
Lac Bay Sorobon, Bonaire 30 rideable days in Jun Photo: dronepicr
Kalpitiya North Western, Sri Lanka 30 rideable days in Jun Photo: Chanaka Palliyaguru
Kanaha Hawaii, United States 29 rideable days in Jun Photo: Kirt Edblom Spots that blow in July for wing.
Aruba - Fishermans Huts Hadicurari, Aruba 31 rideable days in Jul Photo: Vlad Podvorny
Kanaha Hawaii, United States 31 rideable days in Jul Photo: Kirt Edblom
Pozo Izquierdo Canary Islands, Spain 30 rideable days in Jul Photo: Nathalie Cools
Lac Bay Sorobon, Bonaire 30 rideable days in Jul Photo: dronepicr Spots that blow in August for wing.
Sakalava Bay Diego Suarez, Madagascar 31 rideable days in Aug Photo: Chirocca77
Icaraizinho Ceará, Brazil 31 rideable days in Aug Photo: Fabiobarros
Jericoacoara Ceará, Brazil 31 rideable days in Aug Photo: Jade Queiroz (MTur Destinos)
São Miguel do Gostoso Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil 31 rideable days in Aug Photo: Otávio Nogueira Spots that blow in September for wing.
Icaraizinho Ceará, Brazil 30 rideable days in Sep Photo: Fabiobarros
Jericoacoara Ceará, Brazil 30 rideable days in Sep Photo: Jade Queiroz (MTur Destinos)
São Miguel do Gostoso Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil 30 rideable days in Sep Photo: Otávio Nogueira
Cumbuco Ceará, Brazil 30 rideable days in Sep Photo: Otávio Nogueira Spots that blow in October for wing.
Jericoacoara Ceará, Brazil 31 rideable days in Oct Photo: Jade Queiroz (MTur Destinos)
Icaraizinho Ceará, Brazil 31 rideable days in Oct Photo: Fabiobarros
São Miguel do Gostoso Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil 31 rideable days in Oct Photo: Otávio Nogueira
Cumbuco Ceará, Brazil 29 rideable days in Oct Photo: Otávio Nogueira Spots that blow in November for wing.
Icaraizinho Ceará, Brazil 30 rideable days in Nov Photo: Fabiobarros
Jericoacoara Ceará, Brazil 29 rideable days in Nov Photo: Jade Queiroz (MTur Destinos)
São Miguel do Gostoso Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil 29 rideable days in Nov Photo: Otávio Nogueira
Lancelin Western Australia, Australia 27 rideable days in Nov Photo: Bahnfrend Spots that blow in December for wing.
Jericoacoara Ceará, Brazil 30 rideable days in Dec Photo: Jade Queiroz (MTur Destinos)
São Miguel do Gostoso Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil 30 rideable days in Dec Photo: Otávio Nogueira
Aruba - Fishermans Huts Hadicurari, Aruba 29 rideable days in Dec Photo: Vlad Podvorny
Icaraizinho Ceará, Brazil 29 rideable days in Dec Photo: Fabiobarros