Mexico
Punta Morena is a calm and tranquil beach located on the wild east coast of Cozumel, away from the crowded tourist beaches in the center. It features fine white sand bordered by palm trees, with a peaceful atmosphere ideal for relaxation.
The spot offers an authentic Mexican experience, with crystal-clear waters and panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea. It is a favored location for its small sheltered coves and easy access by car from San Miguel.
Palapas and a seafood restaurant add to the charm, making it a perfect place for a full day by the water.
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.
wave
chopOn the east coast of Cozumel, Punta Morena works well with east (E), southeast (SE), and northeast (NE) winds, which are side-on or side-shore relative to the east-facing beach. These directions provide a water surface with rolling waves over a shallow sandbank, perfect for jumps and speed.
Launching is done directly from the fine sandy beach mixed with rocks, with a wide take-off area but to be monitored in case of ocean swell. The riding area extends along the beach for about 800 meters, with space for freeride and wakestyle, but stay clear of rocks and snorkeling areas.
All tides are suitable, as the spot is a beach break with sandy and rocky bottom. During nortes (strong north winds from October to April), conditions can become choppy with swell, while in summer, SW, W, NW winds bring rarer flat conditions on this exposed coast.
Ideal conditions are with winds E, NE, SE at 18-25 knots, side-shore, for a manageable water surface with waves.
The water surface is generally choppy to wavy, with waves over shallow sandbanks and rocks in some areas. In side-on wind, you get a good mix of power and rolling waves of 1-2.5 m.
Currents can be strong with a powerful undertow near the shore, especially during swell. Caribbean tides are moderate, with a low amplitude that does not significantly impact the spot.
Opt for kite sizes of 9 to 12 m² in moderate winds, and 7 to 9 m² in strong trade winds or nortes.
Dominant winds come from the east and northeast, with typical strengths of 15-25 knots during the dry season. The nortes, cold and strong winds from the north, sweep the island from October to April, making the spot navigable even in rough weather.
In summer, SW to NW winds may occur, but the east coast is mainly exposed to consistent east trade winds.
The tropical climate of Cozumel offers warm temperatures year-round, averaging between 25°C and 32°C. The dry season from November to April is ideal with little rain, while the rainy season from May to October remains very sessionable.
Best months for kiting: January, February, March, April, May, June, August, September, October, November, December, with an average score of 58/100.
The depth is shallow near the shore with a sandbank, then gradually increases. The bottom is sandy with rocks, foot possible in calm areas.
Water temperatures hover around 26-29°C year-round, peaking at 29°C in summer and dropping to 26°C in winter.
