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Albatroz (Ponta Leme Bedje) / Sal kitesurf, wingfoil and windsurf spot
Cape Verde · Sal
Overview
Ponta Leme (also known as Albatroz or Ponta Leme Bedje) is located at the eastern end of Santa Maria bay, on the south coast of Sal Island, Cape Verde. It's a versatile spot offering flat water for freeride and freestyle, plus clean wave breaks when a southerly swell runs.
The wind here is cross-offshore, blowing from the northeast over the island's land mass before reaching the water. This makes it gustier than Kite Beach, but also means the wave faces are cleaner and better shaped for strapless riding. When a south swell comes in, Ponta Leme produces easy, well-formed waves — an excellent introduction to wave kitesurfing.
The ION Club Ponta Leme centre is based here, offering windsurf and wingfoil rentals and courses for intermediate to advanced levels. The spot is about 10–15 minutes walk from ION Club Santa Maria, making it easy to switch between the two locations depending on conditions.
Flat water conditions in front of the centre are ideal for windsurfing freestyle, wingfoiling and freeride. It's also possible to ride upwind from the Santa Maria centre to access the wave section further east.
Spot forecast for Albatroz (Ponta Leme Bedje) / Sal
Sunrise 06:25 · Sunset 18:07
Forecasts provided by Open-Meteo
Tides
Heights above lowest astronomical tide, in the spot's local time. Computed 4 km from the spot.
- Tuesday 20 October High tide · 0.6 m Low tide · 0.3 m High tide · 0.5 m Low tide · 0.4 m
- Wednesday 21 October High tide · 0.7 m Low tide · 0.3 m High tide · 0.6 m Low tide · 0.3 m
- Thursday 22 October High tide · 0.7 m Low tide · 0.3 m High tide · 0.7 m Low tide · 0.3 m
- Friday 23 October High tide · 0.8 m Low tide · 0.2 m High tide · 0.7 m
- Saturday 24 October Low tide · 0.2 m High tide · 0.8 m Low tide · 0.1 m High tide · 0.8 m
Albatroz (Ponta Leme Bedje) / Sal: when to go?
Rideable days and hours computed for a minimum wind of 7 knots · log in to set your own (foil, twin-tip…)
386h
in January · 31 rideable days
The spot works year-round: 29 rideable days a month on average, at 28 °C. It peaks in January, with 386 hours of usable wind.
Rideable days per month
Wind strength when it is rideable
When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 13 and 20 knots — 52% of rideable hours. That is the most versatile range, where most kites work. The coldest month is March, at 25 °C. The wettest month is September, with 51 mm.
Monthly averages: Albatroz (Ponta Leme Bedje) / Sal
| Month | Rideable days | Usable wind | Temperature | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31.0 | 386 h | 26 °C | 0 mm |
| February | 28.5 | 390 h | 26 °C | 0 mm |
| March | 31.0 | 434 h | 25 °C | 0 mm |
| April | 30.0 | 408 h | 27 °C | 5 mm |
| May | 31.0 | 452 h | 27 °C | 0 mm |
| June | 30.0 | 466 h | 27 °C | 0 mm |
| July | 25.0 | 302 h | 28 °C | 5 mm |
| August | 25.5 | 268 h | 29 °C | 35 mm |
| September | 28.5 | 350 h | 30 °C | 51 mm |
| October | 30.5 | 400 h | 30 °C | 15 mm |
| November | 30.0 | 379 h | 29 °C | 20 mm |
| December | 31.0 | 415 h | 26 °C | 6 mm |
Photo gallery of Albatroz (Ponta Leme Bedje) / Sal
Ridden here? One photo or video, and the spot comes alive for everyone discovering it.
Technical details of Albatroz (Ponta Leme Bedje) / Sal spot
The spot works with winds from N, NNE, NE, ENE, E, NNW.
Spot functioning
Launch from the beach near the ION Club Ponta Leme centre. Watch out for rocks in the launch area — it's easier to launch slightly downwind and tack up to the spot.
Flat water zone: directly in front of the centre. Excellent for windsurfing freestyle, wingfoiling and kitesurf freeride.
Wave zone: further east, when southerly swell runs. Waves of 1–4 metres break cleanly with the offshore wind grooming the faces. Great spot for learning strapless wave riding — more forgiving than Ponta Preta or Ponta Sino.
It's also possible to ride upwind from Santa Maria centre to reach Ponta Leme's wave section, or to ride downwind from Ponta Leme into Santa Maria bay.
Equipment available at the ION Club centre: windsurfing (80–145L boards), wingfoil, SUP. Kitesurf lessons depart from the Santa Maria centre to Kite Beach.
Spot opening date · Required level
- Spot opening date
- Open all year round
Year-round, but the main season runs from November to May/June with the northeast trade winds.
Waves are best when a southerly swell combines with the trade wind season. Flat water conditions are available whenever the wind blows.
- Required level
- Intermediate
On the water
Two distinct zones: flat water directly in front of the centre (choppy freeride conditions), and wave zone further east when swell runs (1–4m clean waves).
Water temperature 21–27°C depending on season. Shorty or boardshorts usually sufficient; 3/2mm wetsuit for longer winter sessions.
Rocky bottom in places — reef shoes recommended when walking in/out. Crystal-clear water with excellent visibility.
Parking
Ponta Leme is located at the east end of Santa Maria, about 10–15 minutes walk from the town centre along the coast.
The ION Club Ponta Leme centre is located next to Restaurant Angulo. If arriving by taxi, ask for Restaurant Angulo as your destination.
From Amílcar Cabral International Airport (SID): ~20 minutes drive south to Santa Maria, then walk east along the coast.
Limited parking near the centre. Most visitors walk from their accommodation in Santa Maria.
Wind specificities
The northeast trade wind at Ponta Leme blows cross-offshore, having crossed over the island before reaching the water. This creates several characteristics:
Gustier than Kite Beach: the land mass disrupts the laminar flow, creating turbulence close to shore. Wind tends to be lighter near the beach and stronger further out.
Cleaner wave faces: the offshore component grooms the waves, creating better shaped faces than the onshore-blown chop at Kite Beach. Ideal for learning strapless wave riding.
More constant than Santa Maria town: although gusty, Ponta Leme generally has more consistent wind than the bay directly in front of Santa Maria where buildings create extra turbulence.
Wind strength: 15–25 knots during season (November–May). Kite sizes 8–12m. Wingfoil and windsurf typically 4.0–6.1m sails.
Hazards
Cross-offshore wind: the wind blows from land out to sea. You must be able to ride upwind to return safely. Not suitable for beginners riding independently.
Gusty conditions: wind passes over land before reaching the water, making it more gusty and turbulent than at Kite Beach. The first metres from shore can be less windy, with the wind strengthening further out.
Rocky launch area: the launch zone has rocks scattered around. Careful footwork required — reef shoes recommended. It's possible to launch downwind and tack upwind to reach the spot.
Reef: rocky reef bottom, especially in the wave section. Risk of impact at low tide.
Waves: when southerly swell runs, waves of 1–4 metres can break in the area. Be aware of changing conditions.
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