Cabo Verde
Praia à Santa Maria, on the island of Sal in Cape Verde, is a lively beach bordered by the main village. It is a very popular kitesurf spot due to its proximity to amenities and its fine sand stretching for several kilometers.
The beach offers direct access to the sea with conditions suitable for different levels, from beginners to experts. Kite schools are established here and provide regular sessions.
The atmosphere is friendly, with bars and restaurants just steps away for a break after the session.
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.
flat
chopThe main wind comes from the NE, side-offshore or cross-onshore relative to the east-facing beach, which brings riders back to shore in case of problems. The launch area is a medium-sized sandy beach, but be cautious of the shorebreak that can complicate launching, especially for beginners.
Near the shore, the water is shallow with light chop due to the wind, and it quickly transitions to flat further out. The navigation area extends 3 km along the beach, with enough space even in high season, but care should be taken not to drift towards the crowded school areas.
Launching is done directly on the beach, often assisted by the staff of the centers in the presence of shorebreak. Tides have little influence on the spot, but at low tide, the water remains navigable with standing room near the shore. In case of south swell, waves form further out, ideal for wave riding.
The ideal conditions are a NE wind of 18 to 25 knots, side-offshore, for a clean water surface and good power. It works year-round, but November to April offers the best consistency.
The water state is mainly choppy near the beach with some shorebreak, then flat and shallow further out. In the presence of swell, medium waves form on the distant reef, suitable for wave kitesurfing.
Currents are generally weak along Santa Maria beach. However, care should be taken in more exposed areas to the east where a current can accelerate with ocean swell.
Tides are moderate and do not significantly impact navigation, but they slightly influence the shorebreak.
Opt for sizes between 9 and 12 m² in light to moderate trade wind. Smaller kites of 7 to 9 m² are suitable for busier days around 25 knots.
The northeast trade winds, called passat or trade winds, blow very consistently from November to April, with constant speeds between 15 and 25 knots. This wind regime is one of the most reliable in the world, rarely exceeding 6 Beaufort but always present throughout the day.
The main direction is NE, side-offshore from the land, providing clean and predictable wind.
The climate is dry and sunny year-round in Sal, with daytime temperatures around 25 to 30°C during the dry season. From November to June, it is the trade wind period with stable weather, perfect for kitesurfing without the risk of rain.
In winter, nights drop to about 20°C, but days remain warm and pleasant.
The depth is gradual with a mostly sandy bottom. You can stand up to about fifty meters from the shore, ideal for easy waterstarts.
The water is at 22-24°C in winter from December to April, requiring a shorty or a 3 mm wetsuit. The rest of the year, it rises to 25-27°C for riding in boardshorts.
