Kitesurfing in Mexico

Kitesurfing on Holbox Island

Kitesurfing season: November to February.

Holbox is a quiet island north of Quintana Roo, two hours from Cancun. It is a fishing village that has attracted more tourists over the years. No cars are allowed, so you’ll only see motorcycles, bicycles, and golf carts.

Holbox is a very safe location for novice riders and ideal if you are learning. The water is shallow and unobstructed. For more experienced riders, things get good with the “northern” or “cold fronts”.

Within the season, you will find the best wind from November to August.

The type of wind you will find is side-onshore, it generally blows from the northeast and travels at a speed of 10 to 20 knots. When the north winds come in, the winds are stronger, they can reach up to 28 knots.

The climate in Holbox is warm all year round, “cooling” a little more in winter (22°C to 28°C).

Kitesurfing on White Island (Isla Blanca)

Kitesurfing season: November to May.

This spot is located 45 min north of Cancún. It is an ideal place for classes and good for novice riders. It is a saltwater lagoon without waves where you can see spectacular sunsets without the hustle and bustle of the city.

This lagoon is not deep at all because the water will reach up to your hips. You will have winds that range from 10 to 20 knots and if there is a northerly direction, 20 to 30 knots. Here you can practice kitesurfing in all wind directions.

Kitesurfing in Playa del Carmen

Kitesurfing season: November to May.

Playa del Carmen is a tourist hub and the fastest-growing city in all of Latin America. Despite being so close to Cancun, the vibe is completely different, as Playa del Carmen has a much more bohemian atmosphere.

International kitesurfing events have been held in this location due to its versatile conditions, from flat water to “choppy”. The turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea will delight you.

You must know that not every beach in this city is suitable for kitesurfing; You can only in Playacar and Cocobeach. The wind blows side-onshore from the northeast and southeast most of the time and its speed is 10 to 20 knots.

Kitesurfing in Cozumel

Kitesurfing season: December to May.

Cozumel is a large island located southeast of Quintana Roo. Cruise ships from all over the world have given it its tourist popularity. The island is a location with enviable beaches, white sands, and turquoise blue water.

This island is a highly sought-after spot for diving due to its colorful coral reefs.

To practice kitesurfing, you will have winds from the north, south, and mainly from the east, which do not come with too much power but when the north comes in, hold on! That the only good is coming.

Cozumel has good side shore wind and the best time of its season is from February to May.

Kitesurfing in Tulum

Kitesurfing season: December to May.

The town of Tulum is located 2 hours from Cancun. In recent years it has positioned itself as an eco-chic destination, which is why its prices in the hotel zone have been increasing. However, there are options for all budgets.

Tulum has always had some of the most beautiful beaches in the Mexican Caribbean. This location is good for learning to master waves and practicing tricks and jumps.

Here you will have varied winds, onshore, side on-shore, and sideshore coming from northeast, east, and southeast, with a force of 12 to 25 knots. In Tulum, you will come across choppy waters inside the reef (which is located a little less than 1 km from the coast).

Does sargassum affect me?

The seaweed usually starts at the beginning of spring due to a rise in sea temperature, which accelerates the reproduction of the seaweed. As the days get warmer, the presence of sargassum is expected to increase.

Although the kitesurfing season in Quintana Roo has not been affected by sargassum in recent years, and sargassum does not pose any environmental or health threat, it is good that you are taking this into account.

On White Island (Isla Blanca) and the western beaches of Cozumel, there is little impact due to their orientations. But in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum macroalgae arrives en masse in May, June, July, and August.

Kitesurfing in Progreso

Kitesurfing season: February to June.

Progreso is a town located in the north of Yucatán, a little less than an hour from Mérida. It is an important fishing port and tourist spot, as cruise ships arrive there and stop to visit various sites in Yucatan. It is also the favorite place for Yucatecans to visit in summer.

Its beaches, located in the Gulf of Mexico, have shallow waters and few waves, although the wind can cause some chop. When the north comes in, the waves grow a little.

For kitesurfing, you will have winds from the north, southeast, south, southwest, and mainly from the northeast at a speed of 12 to 35 knots. In the mornings you will have side-offshore wind with flat water.

Kitesurfing in San Felipe and Río Lagartos

Kitesurfing season: November to August.

San Felipe and Rio Lagartos are two towns located on the northern coast of Yucatan.

In recent years, this area has gained great popularity due to “Las Coloradas” – stunning pink lagoons, colored by nature itself. These lagoons are just a 45-minute drive away from Rio Lagartos.

However, you will not be kitesurfing in these peculiar lagoons, since they are private property, but on Cancunito Beach. Here the sea is ideal for learning due to its shallow depth.

There will be cross-onshore winds of 10 to 25 knots, blowing from the north, northeast, southeast, and east.

Kitesurfing in Sisal

Kitesurfing season: November to July.

Sisal was once a seaport of great importance, mainly during the heyday of the henequen estates. From this point, several raw materials were exported, including henequen fiber, which is known abroad as “Sisal” thanks to this same port.

Currently, it is a quiet fishing town that will help you disconnect from the urban hustle and bustle. Its beaches are wide and with very little or no people. For kiting, the best months of the season are from February to July.

Its waters are shallow, with little waves and you will receive side-shore winds.

Kitesurfing in El Cuyo

Kitesurfing season: November to July.

El Cuyo is a small fishing town located northeast of Yucatán. By car, it is two and a half hours from Cancun. At this point, the waters of the Gulf of Mexico mix with those of the Caribbean.

Its beaches are quiet, uncrowded, and ideal for kitesurfing. Here you will find shallow waters that are safe for beginners. The wind starts at approximately midday with a speed of 10 to 25 knots.

Kitesurfing in Tampico, Tamaulipas

Kitesurfing season: October to April.

The port of Tampico is one of the most important in the entire country. It is surrounded by rivers, lagoons, and beaches that are home to many species of flora and fauna. Its waters are calm and not deep.

For kitesurfing, you will have winds of 10 to 20 knots coming from the north and southeast. When it enters from the north it can reach more than 20 knots.

Kitesurfing in Veracruz

Kitesurfing season: January to April, June, October to December.

In the Port of Veracruz, you can find the following ideal spots for kitesurfing: Boca del Río Beach, Camino Real Hotel Beach, Santa Ana Beach (Tampiquera), and Iguana Beach.

Likewise, 50 km. There is the famous Emerald Coast, where you can enjoy complete peace since they are very solitary beaches. Its waters are green – hence its name – and its sand is grey.

To the south of the coast, you can find an estuary with completely flat water where you can have fun kiting. In these locations, you will find onshore, side-shore, and side-onshore winds coming from the north and southeast.

Normally, these winds will blow at a speed of 13 to 25 knots, however, when it comes in from the north – from October to March – they will increase from 20 to even 40 knots!

Kitesurfing in Ciudad del Carmen, Campeche

Kitesurfing season: December to May.

Ciudad del Carmen is located southwest of the Yucatan Peninsula between the Gulf of Mexico and Laguna de Terminos. In the past, like any other coastal town, it lived off fishing, however, since the 1970s, it has been the most important operations center for PEMEX.

Its coast is friendly to novice riders and people who are learning. The best spots are Playa Norte, Playa Bahamita and Playa La Ensenada.

You will have onshore, side-onshore, and side-shore winds coming from the north and southeast. Generally, they appear at speeds between 12 and 25 knots, but when the north enters – from October to March – they intensify, reaching between 20 and 40 knots.

Kitesurfing in San Carlos, Sonora

Kitesurfing season: October to April.

San Carlos is located in the port of Guaymas, facing the beautiful Sea of Cortez. Its waters are blue, transparent, and quite calm, with Playa Algodones being where you will find particularly flat waters.

The side shore wind blows incessantly in the bay, coming from the west at a speed of 15 to 25 knots. The wind appears at approximately midday.

Bucerías, Nayarit

Kitesurfing season: January to June.

Bucerías is a fishing town that has wonderful beaches.

They are away from the hustle and bustle of the city and the crowds, so they are ideal if you want to experience moments of peace. You will find few riders, this way you won’t bump into anyone if you want to learn.

Onshore winds begin to blow at approximately 1:30 PM and come from the west and northwest. The best months of the season are from March to June. Very good spots are: Destiladera (Veneros), Litibu, Punta Negra and Higuera Blanca.

Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit and Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco

Kitesurfing season: January to June.

Despite being located in two different states, they are only 30 minutes away. away from each other. The climate is warm and ranges between 25° C and 32° C.

The dominant winds you will have are from the west, side-onshore, at a speed of 4 to 20 knots. These begin to blow at noon. The best months of the season are from March to June.

La Ventosa and Salina Cruz, Oaxaca

Kitesurfing season: almost all year except August, September, and October.

These two beach destinations in Oaxaca are about an hour away from each other. La Ventosa is considered one of the windiest destinations in the world (obviously that’s where its name comes from).

This is caused by two mountain ranges of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, producing what is called a “Venturi effect” which, in this case, is nothing more than a funnel of very strong wind. Here there are winds between 20 and 35 knots offshore.

In some areas, it is not easy to take off or land the kite and there are extreme conditions so this location is only for experts. The best spots are the Azul, Brasil, and Salinas del Marqués beaches. Without a doubt, one of the best places to kitesurf in Mexico.

Punta San Carlos, B.C. North

Kitesurfing season: almost all year.

It is a place far from civilization and most of the time it is desolate. Here you will not find bars, clubs, or anything else to do outside of adventure tourism and admire nature. Almost all year round there is good wind and it is sunny.

You can drive from Tijuana to a town called “El Rosario”. From the town to Punta San Carlos, it takes two hours. Here the wind blows side-offshore and the waters can be turbulent, which is why it is recommended for advanced riders.

La Ventana, B.C. South

Kitesurfing season: October to April.

This spot located in the Sea of Cortez is good for learning kitesurfing.

It is only 30 minutes from La Paz and will offer you the versatility to practice this sport. La Ventana has both flat waters and waves and is a favorite place for international competitions, which is why it is one of the best places to kitesurf in Mexico.

Some of those that have been organized are La Ventana Classic, La Ventana Windfest, Kite Foil Cup, and the La Ventana Kite Expo. This beach is “L” shaped and receives side-shore winds that begin at noon.

These travel at a speed of between 15 to 25 knots and come mainly from the north and northwest.

Los Barriles, B.C. South

Kitesurfing season: January to April and October to December.

Los Barriles is an ideal place to be far from civilization and enjoy nature. It is located in the Sea of Cortez between Los Cabos and La Paz. From Los Cabos, it is an hour by car.

This is a good place for beginners and riders who want to practice with waves. The best spot is in Playa Norte. Here you will have winds from the north and northeast, side on-shore, and sideshore at a speed of 10 to 25 knots.

Additionally, when the north winds come in, the winds reach up to 30 knots.

Punta Abreojos, B.C. South

Kitesurfing season: September to April.

It is a small fishing town 234 km from Loreto. It is a quiet destination, without hustle and bustle and with excellent waves. You will have side-onshore and off-shore winds coming from the north and northwest at speeds between 15 to 25 knots.

It is important to mention that there are some obstacles such as rocks in the water. Due to this and the windy weather, it is recommended only for intermediate and advanced users.