Cape Verde
Calheta Funda in Murdeira, on the island of Sal in Cape Verde, is an isolated spot in a preserved natural area. It features a wild beach bordered by dunes and arid landscapes typical of the Cape Verde islands.
It is a popular place for kitesurfers due to its small to medium waves and constant wind, away from the crowds of more touristy spots like Santa Maria.
The atmosphere is calm, with an authentic vibe that attracts riders seeking pure sessions and untouched nature.
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.
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waveThe Calheta Funda spot works ideally with a NE wind, which comes side-offshore relative to the southwest-facing beach, providing good power without too much risk of drifting offshore. The navigation area extends several hundred meters along the coast, with an easy launch on sand but be cautious of rocky areas at the ends.
The launch area is spacious on the wide beach, perfect for both beginners and advanced riders, but care should be taken regarding downwind space towards neighboring spots like Fontona. Depending on the tides, the water state varies: at low tide, the waves break a bit closer to the shore, while at high tide, it becomes smoother for freeride. Local features include possible strapless sessions thanks to the regular waves of 1 to 2 meters, and an orientation that protects from overly cross-on trade winds in certain conditions.
The current remains manageable but can push southward, so always check the flags of local schools like Atlantic Star Nautical Center located nearby.
Ideal conditions are a NE wind at 25-30 knots, side-offshore, for clean waves and perfect power without excessive risk.
The water state offers small to medium waves, ideal for wave riding or freestyle. It gets a bit choppy in strong winds, but remains navigable for all levels with good tide management.
Currents are generally moderate and follow the wind direction, from northeast to south. Tides have a low amplitude of about 1.5 meters, but one should watch for flows near rocky points where they accelerate.
Opt for sizes from 9 to 12 m² in mid-season, dropping to 7-9 m² in strong trade winds, and going up to 13-15 m² on the rare light days.
The wind regime is dominated by the trade winds from NE, constant and strong at 20 to 35 knots year-round. The local name is simply the "Cape Verde trade winds," which particularly strengthen in the afternoon for explosive sessions.
The climate in Sal is tropical dry with warm temperatures year-round, between 25 and 32 degrees during the day. The dry season from November to May brings clear skies, while the months from June to October are wetter but still windy.
The depth increases gradually with a mostly sandy bottom. You can stand in the first 50 meters, ideal for relaunches and beginners.
Water temperature ranges between 24 and 28 degrees year-round, comfortable in a shorty or thin lycra, warmer during the dry season from December to April.
