Sal is a bare volcanic desert island in the middle of the Atlantic, and through the northern winter it is one of the most dependable kite destinations anywhere. The north-east trades blow warm and steady, the beaches are golden and empty, and within a few kilometres you can go from a forgiving learner's bay to one of the best waves in the world.
The wind
The wind is the north-east trade, funnelling down the Atlantic and reinforced around the island's headlands. From roughly November to May it blows almost daily, side to cross-onshore at the main beaches, typically 15 to 25 knots and most reliable from December to March. It is strong enough to be fun without the relentless nuking of some trade-wind spots, which is part of why Sal has become such a popular winter escape for European riders. A steady 15 to 22 knots is classic 9 and 12 metre weather.
The spots
The heart of it all is Kite Beach, a wide cross-onshore bay just north of Santa Maria. The wind blows you back toward the sand, the bottom shelves gently, and the kite schools around Santa Maria cluster here, which makes it one of the friendliest places in the Atlantic to learn or log hours. A short way down the coast, Ponta Preta is a different animal: a long, down-the-line right-hander strictly for advanced riders, the home break of Cape Verdean legend Mitu Monteiro and a winter fixture on the pro wave scene. The town beach at Santa Maria is the mellow option when the swell is up.
When to go
The season runs November to May, busiest and windiest from December to March. This is the northern-hemisphere off-season, which is exactly why Sal fills with riders escaping the European winter. The water is warm enough for a shorty or a 3/2 through the season, a touch cooler than the tropics thanks to the Atlantic. Expect sun, wind and very little rain.
Before you go
Fly into Sal (Amílcar Cabral) and base yourself in Santa Maria, walking distance from the town beach and a short hop from Kite Beach. Most riders bring a mid-to-large quiver, a 9 and a 12 covering the typical range, with a smaller kite for the windiest February days. The kite houses on Sal put you close to the action, and the island is a classic pick on the northern winter kite trail. Before you book, check the live Kite Beach forecast to see how the trades are lining up.