Learning to Kitesurf on Sal, Cape Verde: Lessons, Prices and What to Expect
What learning to kite at Kite Beach on Sal looks like: the beach, the trade wind, which course to pick and what it costs, from €77 per person for two hours.
Sal is the Cape Verde island most kiters fly to, and Kite Beach on its east coast is where most of them learn. The trade wind blows cross-onshore there from about November to May, so it pushes you back towards the beach instead of out to sea. Here is what a course looks like, which format to choose and what it costs.
What Kite Beach is like for beginners
Kite Beach is a long sandy beach on the east coast of Sal, a short drive from Santa Maria, the town at the island's southern tip. The trade wind comes from the north-east and hits the beach cross-onshore, which is the safe direction for learning. It is not a flat lagoon: expect chop, a shore break on some days and a reef further out where the waves get bigger. In peak season the beach is busy, so lessons with a school that knows the spot make the first days easier.
Kite Beach Cabo Verde runs its kite centre right on the beach, with beach assistants for launching and landing, a compressor, storage and a restaurant. The return transfer from your hotel is included in every lesson, and lessons start at 9:00, 11:30 or 14:30.
Which course to pick
| Basic lessons (beginners) | For two, per person | Private |
|---|---|---|
| 2 h (1 session) | €77 | €132 |
| 4 h (2 sessions) | €154 | €253 |
| 6 h (3 sessions) | €215 | €380 |
| 8 h (4 sessions) | €286 | €506 |
| 10 h (5 sessions) | €341 | €633 |
| 12 h (6 sessions) | €407 | €759 |
The basic lessons are for beginners: a gradual approach to the basics, balance and riding safely. Most people who want to ride on their own by the end of a trip book 6 to 12 hours. The price for two is per person, for two people who book together with one instructor; the school does not put strangers into groups. If you travel alone, the private lessons are the way in. Kite equipment is included.
| Advanced lessons (you already ride) | For two, per person | Private |
|---|---|---|
| 1 h | €66 | €83 |
| 2 h (1 session) | €132 | €160 |
| 4 h (2 sessions) | €264 | €319 |
| 6 h (3 sessions) | €385 | €473 |
| 8 h (4 sessions) | €517 | €627 |
The advanced lessons are for riders who already kite and want to work on style and technique on a twin tip, a wave board or a foil, and on harder conditions. You can request any of these lessons on the Santa Maria kite page or on the Kite Beach Cabo Verde profile: choose your dates, send the request, and the school confirms your time. Nothing is paid online; you pay at the school's reception.
Wind, refunds and cancellation
- If there is not enough wind for your lesson, the school refunds it.
- You can cancel for free up to 24 hours before; for a same-day cancellation the school keeps 50% of the price.
- Prices are per person and include the kite equipment and the return transfer from your hotel.
When to come
The kite season on Sal runs from about November to May. December to April is the most reliable stretch, with more than 80% windy days according to thekitespot; July to September is the quiet time. Read more in our guide to the best time to kitesurf in Cape Verde.
What to know before you go
- Fly into Amílcar Cabral International Airport (SID) on Sal, about 20 minutes by car from Santa Maria. Flights take about 6 hours from most of Europe.
- Stay in Santa Maria: restaurants, hotels and nightlife are walkable, and the school's transfer takes you to Kite Beach.
- In winter the water is a couple of degrees cooler than the air (around 20 to 22 °C), so most riders use a 3/2 mm suit or a shorty.
- Ponta Preta, west of Santa Maria, is a famous wave for experts only. As a beginner you stay at Kite Beach.
How much does a kitesurfing lesson cost on Sal?
At Kite Beach Cabo Verde a 2-hour basic lesson costs €77 per person when two of you book together, or €132 private. A 12-hour beginner course costs €407 per person for two, or €759 private. Equipment and the hotel transfer are included.
Can complete beginners learn to kitesurf on Sal?
Yes. Kite Beach has cross-onshore trade wind and is where most of the island's schools teach. Expect chop and a shore break rather than a flat lagoon.
Can I book a kite lesson on Sal on my own?
Yes, as a private lesson. The cheaper lessons for two are for two people who book together; the school does not form groups.
What happens if there is no wind?
At Kite Beach Cabo Verde, a lesson that cannot take place for lack of wind is refunded.
What is the best time to learn kitesurfing on Sal?
From December to April, when the trade wind blows most reliably. The kite season runs from about November to May.
