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Shark Bay / Sal kitesurf, wingfoil and surf spot
Cape Verde · Sal
Overview
Kite Beach, also known as Shark Bay or Costa de Fragata, is the main kitesurfing spot on Sal Island, Cape Verde. Located on the southeast coast, it's a vast 3 km long golden sand beach with crystal-clear turquoise water — one of the most popular kite destinations in the world.
Despite the name, there are no sharks here (the real Shark Bay with lemon sharks is further north near Pedra de Lume). The name dates back to the first Portuguese settlers and simply stuck.
The spot offers versatile conditions suitable for all levels: flat to choppy water near shore, with a reef break about 300 metres out producing clean waves at high tide. The consistent northeast trade wind blows onshore to side-onshore, making it a very safe spot — you always get pushed back to shore. Wind is generally steady between 15 and 30 knots during the season (November to May), with the strongest conditions in February and March.
Kite Beach is also a protected nature reserve and nesting site for endangered loggerhead sea turtles (June to November). The beach is within the Costa de Fragata ecosystem, rich in biodiversity.
Spot forecast for Shark Bay / 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 2.7 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
Shark Bay / 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: Shark Bay / 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 Shark Bay / Sal
Ridden here? One photo or video, and the spot comes alive for everyone discovering it.
Technical details of Shark Bay / Sal spot
The spot works with winds from N, NNE, NE, ENE, E, NNW.
Spot functioning
The main launch and landing area is on the central section of the beach, near the kite school facilities. Large sandy beach with plenty of space for rigging — no obstacles.
At high tide: more water, cleaner waves on the outer reef, slightly choppier conditions closer to shore. Best for wave riding and intermediate/advanced riders.
At low tide: shallower water, smaller waves, flatter conditions closer to shore. Good for beginners (with supervision) and freestyle, but watch out for shallow spots.
The spot is suited for twin-tip, surfboard, foil and wingfoil. The reef break offers excellent wave riding conditions for experienced riders.
Several kite schools from Santa Maria bring their students here — the beach can get crowded during peak season. Right-of-way rules are important.
Spot opening date · Required level
- Spot opening date
- Open all year round
Year-round, but the main kitesurfing season runs from November to May when the northeast trade winds are strongest and most consistent.
February and March offer the strongest wind. April and May combine good wind with calmer water surface — excellent months for all levels.
June to October is turtle nesting season — parts of the beach may have restricted access to protect nesting sites. Wind is less reliable during this period.
- Required level
- Beginner
On the water
Water conditions vary with the tide. At high tide, expect wind chop and clean waves on the outer reef (waist to head high depending on swell). At low tide, flatter and shallower conditions prevail.
Water is warm year-round: 21–24°C in winter (November–April), 23–27°C in summer. A shorty or boardshorts/lycra is usually sufficient. Some riders wear a thin wetsuit (2/3mm) on windier days for comfort.
Sandy bottom near shore with the reef further out. Crystal-clear turquoise water with excellent visibility. Brackish water from tidal influence but predominantly ocean saltwater.
Parking
Kite Beach is located about 15 minutes by car from the town of Santa Maria (southeast direction). Most riders take a taxi or get transfers arranged through their kite school.
Access via a dirt road from Santa Maria heading east along the coast. Park directly on the beach area near the kite school facilities. Limited parking — arrive early during peak season.
No public transport to Kite Beach. Taxi from Santa Maria costs around 500–800 CVE (approx. €5–8). Some schools include transfers in their packages.
Wind specificities
Kite Beach benefits from the northeast trade winds (Alizés) that blow consistently across the Cape Verde archipelago. Wind direction is onshore to side-onshore (NE to ENE), making it one of the safest spots on the island — you always get pushed back to shore.
Peak season: November to May, with the strongest and most consistent wind from February to April. Wind typically blows 15–30 knots, with recommended kite sizes of 9–12m for average weight riders.
Off-season (June–October): wind drops significantly and becomes less reliable, but occasional sessions are still possible.
Wind is generally steady and laminar on the main beach area, but can become slightly more gusty toward the northern end of the bay. The 3 km length of the beach means there is always plenty of space to find your own riding area.
Hazards
Shallow areas at low tide: the bay gets very shallow near the beach at low tide. Be aware of how much water is under you before boosting — landing hard in shallow water can cause injuries.
Reef: a reef lies about 300 metres offshore. It can be exposed at low tide and creates waves. Stay aware of your position relative to the reef.
Onshore wind: the wind blows onshore to side-onshore, which is safe (pushes you back to shore), but a strong northeast trade wind could carry an unattended kite or board far if released.
No lifeguards: despite observation towers on the beach, there is no reliable rescue service. Never kite alone.
Sea turtles: Kite Beach is a nesting site for loggerhead sea turtles from June to November. Respect nesting areas and follow any guidance from conservation volunteers (Project Biodiversity).
Sun and heat: strong tropical sun year-round. Wear sunscreen, hat and UV protection. Stay hydrated.
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INMG HQ SAL13.2 kmsource WIS2 - WMO
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Ogimet - Sal (Cape Verde)13.9 km
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