Cabo Verde
Praia de Chaves, located on the northwest coast of Boa Vista Island in Cape Verde, is a long sandy beach lined with dunes. It is a popular spot for its generous space and varied conditions suitable for all levels. Near the shore, the water is flat and ideal for beginners, while 300 meters from the shore, waves of 1.5 to 3 meters await advanced riders. At the end of the beach, a secret spot accessible by 4x4 offers stunning views of the ocean and more stable waves when the wind shifts to the north.
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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flatThe main wind is northeast, side-shore perfect for the beach, with a steady strength of 16 to 28 knots from November to May. Near the beach, the water is flat and spacious for launching, take-off, and freestyle tricks, perfect for beginners and intermediates. About 300 meters from the shore, there is a powerful beach break with waves of 1.5 to 3 meters, ideal for advanced waveriding. Launching is done directly on the sandy beach, with no obstacles, and the navigation area is wide due to the length of the beach. For pros, a downwinder of 6 km from the nearby town is possible, but plan for a pick-up. Local school in Rabil for gear and lessons. When the swell rises from December to February, the waves get bigger, and sometimes you need to navigate further offshore.
Ideal conditions are a northeast to north wind of 18 to 25 knots, side-shore, with moderate swell for safe rideable waves.
Near the shore, the water is flat and smooth, perfect for learning or freestyling. Further out, a beach break creates powerful waves of 1.5 to 3 meters with swell. A mangrove lagoon accessible from the sea offers an alternative for surfing in and out.
Currents are generally moderate, but they can intensify if you drift too far to the left. Tides have little influence on navigation, but always check before heading far out.
Opt for sizes of 9 to 12 m² in flat conditions for beginners and freestyle, and 7 to 10 m² for advanced waves with winds around 20 knots.
The trade winds from the northeast dominate, blowing steadily between 16 and 28 knots during the main season from November to May. The wind is side-shore or side-on depending on slight shifts to the north, ensuring stable sessions.
The climate is dry tropical with temperatures around 25°C year-round and plenty of sunshine. The kite season from November to May is the most reliable, with little rain. The water remains warm, and the air comfortable even in high season.
The depth increases gradually with a clean sandy bottom. You can stand near the shore, then it quickly becomes deep water, ideal for foiling right from the beach.
The water is warm year-round, around 22-25°C during the kite season from November to May, and a bit cooler at 21°C in summer. A shorty wetsuit is usually sufficient.
