All activities / Kitesurfing / Boa Vista
Kitesurfing in Boa VistaCV
Cape Verde's most accessible island for kitesurfing, with a wide flat lagoon at Santa Mônica beach running for kilometres under reliable NE trade winds. Low crowd density and a flat-water environment make Boa Vista one of the Atlantic's best-kept secrets for kite progression — direct charter flights from Europe keep it reachable without expedition logistics.
Why here
Boa Vista is Cape Verde's flat-water answer to Dakhla: a wide, shallow lagoon at Santa Mônica beach running for kilometres under consistent NE trade winds from November through July. The key distinction from other Atlantic kite spots is the combination of flat water, reliable wind, and near-zero crowd density. Boa Vista is not yet a well-established name on the global kite circuit, which means the beach is not crowded with kites even during the European charter season. Schools are professional but small; the island itself is quiet and low-key. For riders seeking a progression environment without distraction — calm lagoon, steady wind, warm-ish water, unhurried pace — this is one of the Atlantic's best-kept secrets. Whale watching (humpbacks off the coast December-March) and sea turtle nesting season (July-October on protected beaches) add natural context.
Best months
Wind: NE trade winds, 15-25 knots consistent November-July. Less reliable August-October. Direction: side-onshore to cross-shore at Santa Mônica and Chaves Beach. Water temp: 21-24°C year-round — cooler than expected for the latitude due to Atlantic upwellings; thin wetsuit (1-2mm) advisable for extended sessions. Santa Mônica lagoon: flat water, knee to waist deep over large sections, extends far offshore — excellent for skills work and flatwater freestyle. Chaves Beach (resort side): more exposed, suitable for intermediate riders. Long beaches mean crowding is rarely an issue even on busy days. Occasional strong gusts — wind gauge useful. No surf break within the lagoon.
Getting there & around
Fly to Boa Vista Airport (BVC) — direct charter flights from UK, Germany, Portugal, and Netherlands particularly November-April peak. Year-round: fly via Santiago Island (Praia, RAI) from Lisbon and connect on TACV domestic flights. Accommodation: all-inclusive resort strip on Chaves Beach (dominant), plus independent guesthouses in Sal Rei town. Schools (Kite Boa Vista, KITEFARM Cape Verde) operate on both Santa Mônica and Chaves beaches — equipment and guiding provided. No meaningful public transport; taxis or car hire essential to reach Santa Mônica lagoon (15 minutes from resort strip). Mid pricing: all-inclusive resort packages are common; independent stays in Sal Rei cheaper. Bring cash — card infrastructure is limited outside resorts. Combine with whale watching excursion (December-March) and turtle walk (July-October, guided evening tours).
Skill levels: beginner, intermediate, advanced
Schools & guides (3)
Duotone Pro Center Boa Vista
SchoolFounded by Cape Verdean kite champion Matchu Lopes, Duotone Pro Center Boa Vista brings world-class coaching to a wild, uncrowded Atlantic destination. IKO-certified with a full Duotone equipment fleet and a performance-focused training environment. Strong for intermediate to advanced riders.
Kitekriol
SchoolThe first kitesurfing school on Boa Vista to be run entirely by locals, Kitekriol was founded in 2014 by three Cape Verdean friends. IKO-certified instructors and a community ethos that connects visitors with the island's culture. Operates from Praia Carlota, a short walk from Sal Rei.
Ocean Adventure Boa Vista
SchoolFrench-managed IKO school on Estoril Beach offering kitesurfing instruction in English and French. Smaller operation that suits riders looking for a relaxed, uncrowded experience on the quieter side of Boa Vista. Also offers surf and wing foil sessions.