Cape Verde

<p>Praia Carlota is a family friendly Kite Spot in Cape Verde which offers Conditions for Advanced, Professional, Beginner and Intermediate Riders with options for Downwinders. <span>This remarkable Kite Spot is situated in Cape Verde and is ideal for Freestyle, Freeride and Wave kiters. Usually you start your kite from sandy beach and there is no Tide Dependancy. Peak Season in Praia Carlota is in January, February, March, April and December.</span></p><h3>Kitesurfing wind conditions in Praia Carlota</h3><p>The Praia Carlota Kite Spot is located in the Region Boa Vista in Kap Verde. Praia Carlota is defined by stable, gusty and passat winds usually in the afternoon, in the evening and during mid day.</p><h3>Around the Kite Spot Praia Carlota</h3><p>At the Kite Spot there is a medical center, a rescue service and kite repair. Praia Carlota in Boa Vista offers during peak season in January, February, March, April and December activities such as Kajak, Diving, Wave Surfing, Fishing, Sailing, Hiking, Day Trips, Snorkeling, Quad Bikes, Cycling, Windsurf, Buggy, Beauty &amp; Spa and Stand Up Paddling. Near the kite area of Praia Carlota in the wider area of Boa Vista you will find a family friendly environment. Accommodation are located nearby the Kite Spot and right at the Kite Spot. <span>If you are looking for nightlife at the spot besides kitesurfing there are no parties going on.</span></p><h3>How to get to Praia Carlota and how to move there</h3><p>Closest Airport to the Spot is Boa Vista Rabil - BVC. <span>The nearest Town is Vila de Sal Rei. </span><span>Public transport is generally rather bad. </span><span>We do recommend to rent a car.</span></p>

The island of Boa Vista with the Kite Spot Praia Carlota offers seemingly eternal sand dunes with clear water and red mountain scenery. For a quiet holiday, to switch off with a relaxed lifestyle of the islanders, Boa Vista and the Kite Spot Praia Carlota is just right. The fresh fish and seafood, prepared in a portugiese-african way, makes every evening a culinary experience. A travel recommendation for those who are looking for a relaxed holiday away from mass tourism. 

The island of Boa Vista with the Kite Spot Praia Carlota offers seemingly eternal sand dunes with clear water and red mountain scenery. Find your perfect spot on kiteguide.com

Praia Carlota kite spot in Boa Vista - Africa kitesurfing in Cape Verde

Praia Carlota

<p><strong>Cape Verde</strong> is one of the world's most consistent kite destinations. Located 570 km off the West African coast, the archipelago is powered by <strong>Northeast trade winds blowing 20-35 knots</strong> from November through August - with only a brief lull in September and October.</p><p><strong>Sal</strong> is the main hub: shallow flat water at <strong>Kite Beach</strong> suits beginners and freestylers, while the world-famous left-hander at <strong>Ponta Preta</strong> is the benchmark for wave riders. <strong>Boa Vista</strong> offers a wilder, more remote experience with pristine beaches and far fewer crowds. Cape Verde is the birthplace of wave world champions <strong>Mitu Monteiro</strong> and <strong>Airton Cozzolino</strong> - proof of what these conditions can produce.</p><p>Water temperature stays at <strong>22-26°C</strong> year-round. A shorty is all you need, and direct flights from major European cities make the journey straightforward.</p>

Frequently Asked Questions about Kitesurfing in Cape Verde

Kitesurfing in Cape Verde find your perfect Kite Spot

Cape Verde runs on the Northeast trade winds - one of the Atlantic's most reliable wind systems. Sal and Boa Vista sit directly in the wind corridor, delivering 20-35 knots for the better part of the year. The flat water inside the bays suits progression riding, while the exposed Atlantic side serves up the raw wave conditions that have shaped world-class riders. Water temperature holds at 22-26°C year-round - a 2mm shorty covers most sessions.

Wind & Water Conditions

The core kite season runs November through August. September and October see the wind drop off as the ITCZ shifts north - many operators close during this window. Outside this lull, Cape Verde is one of the few destinations where you can book almost any month and expect wind. The Saharan dust haze (called "bruma seca") occasionally reduces visibility in February and March but rarely affects wind quality.

Wind Season & Climate

Sal is purpose-built for kite tourism, but the archipelago has more to offer. The active volcano Pico do Fogo on Fogo island is one of West Africa's most dramatic landscapes. Mindelo on São Vicente has a genuine music culture - morna, the melancholic Cape Verdean genre that gave the world Cesária Évora, is still very much alive here. Cidade Velha on Santiago, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is the oldest European colonial city in the tropics.

Beyond Kitesurfing

Cape Verde is well set up for international kite visitors - Sal in particular has a dense strip of schools, repair shops, and rental operations along Kite Beach. The local infrastructure is reliable, accommodation ranges from budget to boutique, and the food scene mixes Portuguese and West African influences well. Outside Sal and Boa Vista, expect a more local, less tourist-facing experience.

Practical Notes for Kite Travellers

Travel Information Cape Verde

All visitors must complete an Electronic Pre-registration (EASE) before arrival. EU citizens do not require a visa for stays up to 30 days. Non-EU travellers should verify requirements with their local Cape Verdean embassy before booking.

Visa Requirements for Kitesurfing Travel to Cape Verde (2-4 Weeks)

<h3>Kitesurfing wind conditions in Ponta Preta</h3><p>The windiest months for kitesurfing in Sal and at Ponta Preta are from November until April, when the trade wind blows and keeps it on average between 15-25 knots. The temperature sits around 20? during this period so on the beach you’ll manage with shorts and maybe a hoodie in the evening, but you’ll want to pack your wetsuit as it can get chilly after a long kitesurf session in the water.</p><p>This is a spot for advanced kitesurfers only, and for offshore wind conditions it’s better not to be out kitesurfing alone, especially at a wave which can get as big and powerful as Ponta Preta. The waves can reach 6m high here, so check the swell forecast as well as the wind, and be safe, don’t go out in conditions you aren’t ready to handle!</p><h3>Around the kite spot Ponta Preta</h3><p>The nearby Santa Maria is a good place to base yourself in Sal, with a variety of restaurants, bars and nightlife for anyone wanting to unwind after a long day of kitesurfing. There are plenty of different options from backpacker to 5 star luxury all over the island though and since it’s a small island you can get around quickly.</p><p>If you have a day with no wind there are still sometimes waves and some much friendlier surfing spots on the island. Otherwise there is great diving, deep sea fishing and SUP tours for more water activities. On land you can tour the island via bike or quad bike, and explore some of the more hidden spots. Sal is a quiet little place, so the main activity when not kitesurfing is going to be relaxing</p><h3>How to get to Ponta Preta and how to move there</h3><p>Amílcar Cabral International Airport (SID) otherwise known as Sal International Airport is the one you’ll want to fly to, which is around 20km from Ponta Preta. You can rent a car on arrival or just get a taxi to your accommodation. The kite centres here often offer trips to Ponta Preta so you can get away without having your own car and just using their shuttles, but it will depend where on the island you are planning to stay.</p>

<p>Ponta Preta is a gnarly but incredible wave spot, with a wave that breaks close to the rocks and with offshore wind, so it’s definitely for advanced kitesurfers only! If you are at a level to take this one on you’ll be stoked with the long pumping waves and perfect cross offshore wind direction. The waves can get really big here, and the launch isn’t exactly the easiest with a big shore break to get through, but it’s totally worth it for the kitesurfing conditions once you get out. The wave kitesurfing world tour has stopped here more than once, and it’s home to Mitu Monteiro and Airton Cozzolino, two of the best wave kitesurfers in the world. If you could name a reason they got so good, it might be having Ponta Preta on their doorstep!</p>

Ponta Preta is a gnarly but incredible wave spot with offshore wind, so it’s definitely for advanced kitesurfers only! Find your perfect spot on kiteguide.com

Ponta Preta kite spot in Sal - Africa kitesurfing in Cape Verde

Ponta Preta

<h3>Kitesurfing wind conditions in Ponta Sino</h3><p>November to Mid-June is the kitesurfing season on Cape Verde, when the trade wind blows between 15-25 knots cross or cross offshore most days, and the swells smash into this remote little island. The waves here can be powerful and break over a shallow reef in places, so be aware of where you are and don’t get overconfident. There are flat spots between the waves and great kickers so freestylers as well as wave riders will enjoy it at Ponta Sino, just have to be careful not to go too far out into the open ocean in offshore winds. The temperature during the kite season is generally around 22 degrees celsius and the water is a little cooler, so a 3/2 mm wetsuit will be fine for most people. If you know you get colder during a long session then a thicker wetsuit might be in order.</p><h3>Around the kite spot Ponta Sino</h3><p>Santa Maria is the local town, where kitesurfing and watersports in general have carved out a tiny tourist utopia, complete with a multitude of shops, bars and restaurants. It’s a small place but vibrant, and offers a bit of something for everyone including any non kitesurfers. If the wind dies (which is unusual in the season) then a boat trip on one of the local boats is well worth it, or you can enjoy some diving and explore some of the underwater world. There are various turtle rescue and conservation projects in and around Santa Maria, and if you’re there at the right time you can even help release the turtle hatchlings back into the wild. Further afield, Sal offers some great tours on a bicycle or electric bike and you can visit some of the local churches or just explore the rest of the island.</p><h3>How to get to Ponta Sino and how to move there</h3><p>You’ll want to fly into Amilcar Cabral International Airport (SID), also known as Sal International Airport. It is 18 km away from the beach or an approximately 20 minute car drive. Having your own rental car can be helpful for reaching the various spots on the island, but if you plan on spending all your time in Santa Maria with occasional trips outside, you can mostly get away with ride sharing and taking taxis with other kitesurfers.</p>

<p>Ponta Sino lies at the Western end of Kite Beach in Cape Verde, offering a mid size wave generally more suited to intermediate and advanced kitesurfers. The wind here blows cross or cross off shore so be careful not to kitesurf too far out past the point and into the open ocean. It’s one of the kite spots which is popular for jumping and freestyle, due to the waves breaking over a shallow reef with flat spots in between the waves. Kitesurfers wanting to jump should watch out for wave riders and vice versa. Cape Verde itself is well known for its kitesurfing, and there are multiple local riders competing on the kitesurfing world tour. If you’re lucky you’ll get to see them in action in the waves, and if conditions are perfect you can head to Ponta Preta to watch or partake in some serious wave riding. Santa Maria is the local town where there is generally a really good vibe with all the kitesurfers hanging out in the evening, and the local seafood is as fresh as can be!</p>

Ponta Sino lies at the Western end of Kite Beach in Cape Verde, offering a mid size wave to intermediate and advanced kitesurfers. Find your perfect spot on kiteguide.com

Ponta Sino kite spot in Sal - Africa kitesurfing in Cape Verde

Ponta Sino

<p>The local town is small but has a lot going on for kitesurfers looking for a bit of down time away from the water. You can do various guided tours of the island starting from Santa Maria, or just rent a bike or car and head out on your own to explore. In town itself you’ll find plenty of options for food and drink, with beach side BBQ’s aplenty and some seriously good caipirinhas if you’re planning a longer night out! There’s always generally something happening in the evening so if you fancy a party you’ll find it within easy walking distance.</p>

<p>Sandy beach with colorful tents and lounge chairs overlooking the ocean on a sunny day.</p>

Aruba Fishermans Huts 3.jpg

<p>Kite Beach in Sal is one of the most popular kite spots on the island, with a mix of waves and flat water, and is also one of the only places on the island where you can learn to kitesurf. It is located a short distance from the main town of Santa Maria, and due to the pretty friendly kitesurfing conditions and the fact you can choose to kite with either your surfboard or twintip, it tends to be one of the busiest spots in Sal. The island is home to multiple world champion wave kitesurfers, and kite beach is the place where a lot of people hone their skills before hitting the more aggressive wave spots around the island. The wind blows cross onshore, so it’s perfect if you aren’t super comfortable with the waves as you know you will always be blown back to the beach.</p>

Kite Beach" spot in Sal - Africa kitesurfin in Cape Verde

Kite Beach Sal

<p>Taxi price should always be 7 Euro or equal in Escudos.</p>

<p>The best time to travel to Kite Beach and Santa Maria for kitesurfing is from November to April. This is the time that the trade wind blows so you can be confident you will have reliable wind conditions, and the swells roll through regularly making for excellent wave kitesurfing conditions. During this period, the temperature fluctuates from about 20 to 25 degrees, so you’ll be fine during the day with a t-shirt but you’ll want a wetsuit for kitesurfing as it can get a little chilly, especially towards sunset.</p><p>As it’s one of the more popular spots on the island it can get a little busy on the water here, but if you are prepared to wait then you can normally find time to kite with less people.</p>

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