Cape Verde
Praia de Abrabas in Ervatao, on the southern coast of Boa Vista, is an isolated beach accessible mainly by 4x4. It is a popular spot for riders due to its super flat bay and wave possibilities.
The area remains wild with few people, perfect for those seeking authenticity away from hotels. There is a mix of flat for freestyle and waves on a reef when the swell comes in.
The wind is consistent year-round, making it a solid choice for a kitesurfing trip to Cape Verde.
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 wind generally arrives side-off at Ervatao, perfect for riding the bay safely without risking going offshore. The launch is directly on the fine sandy beach, with a wide and obstacle-free take-off area. The navigation area is vast in the bay, flat as a lake in normal conditions, ideal for long runs of several kilometers.
At low tide, the water remains flat but the shallow water facilitates quick re-launches. At high tide, it gains a bit in depth without changing the glassy character of the spot. Be cautious on days with swell where a wave forms on a reef offshore, accessible to intermediates and advanced for strapless or surfing. Local schools can organize downwinds to other nearby bays like Varandinha.
The spot is south-facing, so the dominant offshore wind cleans the water surface, but it can switch to side-on at the end of the beach to boost jumps. Local feature: the long access on sandy tracks requires a good vehicle, and the lack of amenities on-site means you need to come prepared.
Ideal conditions are a side-off wind between 18 and 28 knots, stable and without gusts. This allows for full enjoyment of the flat for freestyle or light waves safely.
The water surface is mostly glassy and flat, with a clean sandy bottom. Clean waves occasionally form on the outer reef when the south swell comes in well. The shorebreak remains gentle on the main beach.
Currents are generally weak in the protected bay of Ervatao. The tide is moderate, with a range of about 1 to 2 meters that has little influence on navigation. However, be cautious near the points where the current can accelerate with the swell.
Opt for sizes between 9 and 12 m² in light to moderate wind, and go down to 7-9 m² when it picks up beyond 25 knots. Versatile kites like C-shapes work well for the mix of flat and waves.
The main wind is the constant northeast trade wind, blowing between 15 and 35 knots year-round. At Ervatao, it becomes side-off south due to the orientation of the beach, with exceptional consistency starting in January. Gusts are rare thanks to the protection of the bay.
The climate in Boa Vista is tropical dry with warm temperatures year-round, averaging between 25 and 30 degrees. The dry season from November to April brings the best wind, while summer is calmer but still mild. Little rain makes for reliable sessions without interruption.
The depth is gradual with a completely sandy bottom. You can stand up to 50-100 meters from the shore, perfect for easy re-launches.
The water is around 24-26 degrees in winter and rises to 28 degrees in summer. A 3/2 shorty is sufficient year-round, except for long sessions in the cooler season.
