Cabo Verde
Calheta Bay, on the west coast of Ilha do Maio in Cape Verde, is a beautiful bay lined with a large sandy beach. It is a popular spot for its immense flatwater and perfect waves 500 meters offshore.
Launching is easy from the wide beach, with plenty of space to take off and land without issues. The atmosphere is calm, typical of the Cape Verde islands, with welcoming locals and a developing potential for kitesurfing.
Recent events like the Semana do Mar even attract world champions to explore the spots.
The wind data shown here comes from ERA5 (via Open-Meteo) over 4 years, reprocessed to reflect realistic conditions.
👉 Average wind has been calibrated to avoid the usual underestimation of models.
👉 Gusts have been corrected by a median ratio to avoid unrealistic extreme values.
👉 Each day is summarized by the median wind (P50) observed during useful hours (8am–8pm), then classified into wind ranges.
👉 The weighted mode mixes average wind and gusts to best reflect felt wind.
chop
flatThe prevailing wind comes from the N and NNE, which gives a side-on orientation relative to the west-facing bay, ideal for staying in the area. The large flatwater zone in the heart of the bay is perfect for freestyle and freeride, while the perfect waves are found 500 meters out for riders looking for wave action.
Launching and taking off is done on a wide sandy beach, with plenty of space even in high season. The water remains stable regardless of the tide, without dependence on coefficients. Be cautious of other beach users in July and August when it gets busier.
The regular trade winds provide consistent wind year-round, with pristine conditions for long sessions without wild gusts.
Ideal conditions are with a wind from the N or NNE between 18 and 25 knots, side-on, to enjoy the flat without risking going out of the bay. The whole year is suitable, but November to May is optimal.
The water offers an enormous flat in the bay, which turns into moderate chop with the wind, and small to medium waves offshore. It is versatile for all styles.
Currents are generally weak in the sheltered Calheta Bay. Tides have little impact on navigation, but one should remain vigilant when heading out to the outer waves where they can intensify.
Opt for sizes of 9 to 11m² in light trade wind, and go down to 7-9m² when it picks up to around 25 knots. Adjust according to your weight and style.
The northeast trade winds, known as trade breezes, blow regularly at 20 to 25 knots year-round. The pattern is very reliable, especially from November to May, with consistent winds from the N and NNE that work well in the bay.
The climate in Cape Verde is dry tropical, with pleasant temperatures around 25 to 30°C year-round on Ilha do Maio. The dry season from November to May is perfect for kitesurfing, with little rain and steady wind.
During the rainy season from June to October, it is still warm but with more humidity and occasional showers.
The depth increases gradually with a mostly sandy bottom in the bay. You can stand for a long time from the shore, perfect for beginners.
The water remains warm around 24-28°C year-round, peaking at 27-28°C in summer. A shorty is more than enough, even in winter.
