Cape Verde
Parque Norte Baía das Gatas, in São Vicente, Cape Verde, is a small sheltered spot nestled in a natural bay. It is a calm place with shallow water, perfect for quiet sessions away from the crowd.
Close to Mindelo, this spot attracts riders looking for flat water in an authentic setting. The atmosphere is relaxed, with views of the surrounding mountains and a beach protected from strong winds.
Ideal for progressing without pressure, Norte Baia offers a welcome contrast to more exposed spots like nearby Salamansa.
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.
flatflatThe prevailing wind comes from the NE and NNE, blowing in cross-shore over the bay, creating stable conditions without shorebreak. The riding area is a small natural pool, with water up to the knees or waist, perfect for freestyle or learning.
Launching is done directly from the sandy beach, with no obstacles, and the take-off area is wide and clear. Two kites are enough to fill the space, so there is no overcrowding. Tides have little influence on the spot, which remains navigable at all times due to its sheltered configuration.
Local feature: it is the only permanent flat spot in the Cape Verde islands, just minutes from Salamansa. Beware of crowded sessions in high season, but overall very few people.
The ideal conditions are a NE to NNE wind of 18 to 25 knots, cross-shore, for perfect control and flat water without turbulence.
The water state is flat all the time, like a natural pool. No waves, just a slight chop in strong winds.
Currents are generally weak in this sheltered bay. However, one should watch the areas near the channels where they can accelerate with the tides.
The tides are moderate, with no major impact on the navigability of the spot.
Opt for sizes from 9 to 11m² in medium wind, and 7 to 9m² when it blows over 25 knots. Smaller kites are suitable for very windy days.
The northeast trade winds blow regularly from 16 to 27 knots. The wind is constant 80% of the year, especially from December to June.
The best months are January, February, March, April, May, June, November, and December, with wind scores often above 90/100.
The climate is dry tropical, with temperatures around 25-30°C year-round. The dry seasons dominate from November to June, ideal for kitesurfing, while the rainy season is short from July to October.
The water remains warm, and the sun shines almost every day, making sessions enjoyable without a thick wetsuit.
The depth is shallow, from knee to waist deep up to 50-100m from the shore, with a clean sandy bottom. Ideal for relaunching without risk.
The water is around 24-26°C year-round, comfortable in boardshorts or lycra. No need for a thick wetsuit, even in winter.
