Sal – Kite Beach
Santa Maria, Sal, Cabo Verde
Sports: Kitesurfing, Wingfoiling, Windsurfing, Surfing, Surf foiling, Parawing
Best time to go: January–March, May
Kite Beach is on the east coast of Sal, one of the Cabo Verde islands off West Africa, a few kilometres north of the resort town of Santa Maria. From about November to May, the northeast trade winds blow strongly and reliably across the flat, desert island, and they arrive side-onshore at the beach.
The water has chop and waves, with bigger Atlantic swell on some days. The bottom is mostly sand near shore, with reef and rocks in places, so watch your step and wear booties. The water is warm enough for a thin wetsuit or shorty in winter. The wind can be strong, so the spot suits intermediate and advanced riders. There are schools and rental centres on the beach and in Santa Maria, and Ponta Preta nearby is a famous wave spot for experts. Because the wind blows towards open water further down the coast, avoid drifting far downwind alone.
Month by month at Sal – Kite Beach
- January: 20 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 15 knots, waves 2 m, water 23°C, air 26°C (nights 20°C), 29 sunny days, 0 rainy days
- February: 21 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 16 knots, waves 2.1 m, water 23°C, air 26°C (nights 20°C), 28 sunny days, 1 rainy day
- March: 22 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 16 knots, waves 2.1 m, water 22°C, air 25°C (nights 20°C), 31 sunny days, 1 rainy day
- April: 18 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 15 knots, waves 1.8 m, water 23°C, air 26°C (nights 20°C), 30 sunny days, 0 rainy days
- May: 23 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 15 knots, waves 1.7 m, water 24°C, air 27°C (nights 21°C), 31 sunny days, 0 rainy days
- June: 16 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 14 knots, waves 1.5 m, water 24°C, air 28°C (nights 22°C), 30 sunny days, 1 rainy day
- July: 6 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 1.4 m, water 26°C, air 29°C (nights 23°C), 31 sunny days, 2 rainy days
- August: 5 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 1.3 m, water 27°C, air 30°C (nights 25°C), 29 sunny days, 9 rainy days
- September: 8 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 12 knots, waves 1.5 m, water 28°C, air 30°C (nights 25°C), 28 sunny days, 9 rainy days
- October: 11 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 12 knots, waves 1.6 m, water 28°C, air 31°C (nights 25°C), 30 sunny days, 2 rainy days
- November: 12 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 14 knots, waves 1.8 m, water 27°C, air 29°C (nights 23°C), 29 sunny days, 1 rainy day
- December: 17 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 15 knots, waves 1.9 m, water 25°C, air 27°C (nights 22°C), 29 sunny days, 2 rainy days
When is the best time to go kitesurfing, wingfoiling, windsurfing & parawing at Sal – Kite Beach?
January–March, May, when it is windy most often.
When is the best time to go surfing & surf foiling at Sal – Kite Beach?
January–March, December, when the waves are biggest.
How warm is the water at Sal – Kite Beach?
22°C to 28°C over the year: boardshorts, no wetsuit needed in the warmest month, a shorty or lycra in the coolest.
How windy is Sal – Kite Beach?
About 178 days a year with at least 2 hours of 15+ knots in the daytime, most in May.
Figures from 5 years of weather data (Open-Meteo).
Spots near Sal – Kite Beach
- Sal – Ponta Preta (4 km)
More: All spots in Cabo Verde · Kitesurfing in Cabo Verde · Wingfoiling in Cabo Verde · Windsurfing in Cabo Verde · Surfing in Cabo Verde · Surf foiling in Cabo Verde · Parawing in Cabo Verde
Compare with: Sal – Kite Beach vs Sal – Ponta Preta