For 10 years I have welcomed kitesurfers on the north shore of Peru where I have been living all this time. Riders coming from all over the world searching for the same Grail: Perfect wind and waves.

Each one of them has her/his own wish list of the best places for kitesurfing waves, and most have first visited various other wave kite spots before choosing Peru – mostly because there is less available information about this amazing region, it is still kind of a secret only known by the serious wave kite adventurer.

During the last decade, I have collected all of their knowledge of kitesurf-places around the world, systemized it and here it is, just for you!

No destination is perfect but each place is a new kitesurf adventure making the overall search for wave riding so fascinating!

So this is not a ranking order, I give the list to you (more or less) randomly:

BEST PERIOD FOR WIND AND WAVES IN NORTH SHORE PERU:

May to November

In order to stay objective in this review, I have asked one of my very last guests, Boaz, a good rider who has been chasing waves all over the world – to write a review of his recent Peruvian Experience:

“Northern Peru is one of the best kite surf wave destinations on the globe. Unlike many crowded spots, in Peru you can find yourself riding long powerful waves with strong winds all by yourself.

When a swell enters, waves can reach up to 2 meters with a period of 19 seconds. Even if the waves get big, they are still forgiving and easy to catch with beach breaks (no reefs).

Winds vary from side shore to side offshore. It is recommended to get a local guide with a 4X4 as some of the beaches are not accessible by 2X4.

You do need a 3/2 wetsuit for this location. When it comes to food, for those who love fish and seafood, Peru is a paradise! You can eat here amazing fresh fish like tuna, sword fish… at dirt cheap prices.”

Pros:

• Perfect long left waves
• Wind everyday
• Empty spots
• Forgiving beach point breaks
• No wind activities and amazing gastronomy

Cons:

• Need a 3/2 wetsuit on most spots
• Need 4X4 for some location
• Long journey to get there (but still less than north-east Brazil)

favouriteBEST PERIOD FOR WIND AND WAVES IN PERTH, AUSTRALIA:

November to March

Around 10 years ago I was talking to a guy in charge of one of the biggest travel agencies that specialized in windsurf and kitesurf perú.  At that time, he mentioned to me that his favourite spot was Australia!

Except from him, however, I do not have much feedback about the Australian wave riding spots.

[Last Update]: As someone just brought to my attention: “Australia has [a huge] coastline across three different oceans, many different climates and terrains, everything from tropical coral reef waves to cold water slabs and anything in between.”

Then it seems you will have to find out on your own as it looks to be nearly impossible to know all the spots 🙂

PROS:

• The Australian vibe
• The perfect surf road trip
• A wide variety of spots around Perth
• Good waves

CONS:

• Expensive destination
• Presence of sharks and most of the inventoried nasty animals on earth
• Far away no matter where you are coming from.

BEST PERIOD FOR WIND AND WAVES IN CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA >

October to March

South Africa is a must-do for any series kitesurfer in particular the kite surfer looking for waves!

In its nature as its best, the wild Atlantic Ocean provides wind almost every day, and there is almost always some kind of swell.

The scenery is unique, kilometers of long deserted beaches of white sands and not a building around. Downwinder’s are just magical around Cape Town. There are plenty of wave spots to explore, and probably the best after kite spot in the world when there is no wind: go climbing, trek the natural parks, visit wine areas, or party in the city…

PROS:

• Vibrant Cape town
• Lots of spots and downwinders
• So many activities to do apart from kiting.
• Strong winds

CONS:

• Need a 4/3 wetsuit
• Presence of Sharks
• Sometimes wind is too strong! This can make the waves very messy.

BEST PERIOD FOR WIND AND WAVES IN MADAGASCAR >

June to October

Just by pronouncing the name of the island-country is enough to put oneself in a dreaming state. Most of you (the oldest) will remember Addikt, the Bandit Dos F-one video promotion with Mitu Monteiro and Raphaelle Salles riding those perfect turquoise waves 50cm deep water and sharp corals…?

Madagascar is a dream, but not the easiest and safest one. The two main kitesurf places are: the paradisaic Esmeralda sea in the north with a wind swell wave spot, but perfection is to be found in the southwest of the country!

PROS:

• Perfect waves (in the southwest)
• A magnificent country to visit
• Water temperatures
• Very strong winds

CONS:

• Difficult to get to and not easy to travel once you are there (especially southwest)
• All kinds of hazards and no much emergency response if something goes wrong
• Sharp razor reef

BEST PERIOD FOR WIND AND WAVE IN SAL, CABO VERDE >

December to May

Cabo Verde has become a prime destination pushed by the world’s most famous wave riders Mitu Monteiro, Airton Cozzolino, Matchu Lopes. But Punta Preta, one of the main spots in Cabo comes with challenging conditions, and only works with a decent swell.

PROS:

•  Super Friendly people
• Transparent warm waters
• Very consistent waves

CONS:

• Not the cheapest destination
• Need to go there with a good wave forecast
• Punta Preta is not a wave for beginners-average kitesurfers
• Wind is not 100% guaranteed

 BEST PERIOD FOR WIND AND WAVES IN PUNTA SAN CARLOS, MEXICO >

South swells – Spring & Autumn

As it is only a 9 hours drive from the Californian border, most of my American waverider’s friends have been to Punta San Carlos. The General comment is “it’s awesome man, the wave isn’t the most aggressive, but it’s sooo long”.

To get there, however, you need to prepare your vittle and set-up as it is in the middle of nowhere. Wind is very strong at night too, so a tent is not the best option for a deep sleep. If you don’t own a fancy campervan and do not want to sacrifice on comfort, you can still book a trip with a camper, which comes with all included high-end camping.

PROS:

• Long perfect wave to rip
• Consistent wind with very highest statistics
• Off-shore wind (you can pay pangas – local fishermen boats – in case of a rescue)
• You’re camping in the nature, which is cheap and fun

CONS:

• Cold waters
• Nothing to do off the water

BEST PERIOD FOR WIND AND WAVES IN PUERTO RICO:

December to April, February and March if you want to maximize your swell chances.

Although Puerto Rico is not a destination with much visibility on the web and social media, at least outside the US, I have always heard good reviews from friends.

Shacks beach seems the place to be if you are at least of an intermediate level (small beach/reef break), but there are others spots, you can just kite in the city of San Juan in front of Playa las Marias, which has some nice waves in the outer reefs.

PROS:

• Good quality waves that can hold big size
• Smile, you’re in the Caribbean
• A lot to do apart from kitesurfing
• Warm waters

CONS:

• Shallow waters and sharp reef in most places
• Presence of sea urchins at Shacks, “they sting, believe me” (a happy stung friend)
• For advanced wave riders only
• Expensive destination
• Wind in the Caribbean is never assured