Kitesurfing Ponta Preta
Sal, Cape Verde
Wind & Conditions
World-class wave-kite spot on the NW tip of Sal; regular KPWT stop. NE/ENE trade 15-25 kt side-offshore; waves 3-6 m, fast and powerful over rock reef; rocky shore break on launch; go with a buddy. Home of Mitu Monteiro and Airton Cozzolino. Expert only.
About Ponta Preta
Ponta Preta sits on the northwest tip of Sal, the northernmost of Cape Verde's inhabited islands, where the rocky headland points straight into open Atlantic fetch. Nothing interrupts the swell on its way in, and the NE trade wind has the same unimpeded run. The result is one of the most consistently powerful wave-kite spots in the Atlantic — a regular KPWT competition venue and the home break of Mitu Monteiro and Airton Cozzolino. If you've watched footage of either of them launching off vertical walls with apparent effortlessness, this is the break that shaped them. The wind comes NE to ENE, running side-offshore across the point. The usable kite window sits between 210° and 330°, giving you enough angle to work the line while staying in the riding zone. Trade winds run 15–25 knots — consistent and powered. This is not a spot built for marginal wind days. The waves are the headline act. Fast, powerful reef waves breaking in the 3–6 metre range over rock, producing steep, hollow faces that reward commitment and punish hesitation. Atlantic swell hitting a rock shelf doesn't produce forgiving walls — it produces quick, consequential ones. The riding that has made this spot famous isn't happening in spite of those conditions; it's because of them. The launch is rocky shore break. Time your entry, commit to it, and have your kite high and pulling before your feet leave solid ground. Once you're out, the side-offshore angle is what creates the clean wave faces you came for — but it's also the reason a failed relaunch pushes you away from shore rather than toward it. Know your self-rescue options before you launch, not after you need them. Go with a buddy. Side-offshore wind, powerful reef waves, and a rocky entry make solo sessions a bad idea regardless of skill level. Agree on a distress signal, identify the exit, and make sure someone on shore is watching. Facilities at the spot are minimal — arrive with water, food, and any back-up gear you might need. There is no infrastructure to fall back on out here. The honest summary: Ponta Preta is expert-only. Wave riding experience, shore break confidence, and comfort in powered side-offshore conditions are the entry requirements. If you are still building that skill set, Sal has other spots to work with. When you are ready, this is one of the finest wave-kite spots in the Atlantic — the KPWT does not bring the world's best riders here for nothing.
Photos
Best Season
Check the Breeza app for the current rideable window at Ponta Preta.
World Ranking
RegionalNot globally ranked, but a kitesurf destination — a local favourite worth a check when the wind lines up.
When is the best time to kitesurf at Ponta Preta?
Timing depends on local conditions. Check the Breeza app for the current rideable window at Ponta Preta — it reads the live forecast against your gear and level.
Is Ponta Preta suitable for beginner kiters?
Suitability depends heavily on the day's conditions. Breeza reads your level alongside the forecast and gives you an honest verdict — including when it's a no.
What wind direction works at Ponta Preta?
World-class wave-kite spot on the NW tip of Sal; regular KPWT stop. NE/ENE tr... Breeza cross-references live wind direction against the spot's safe window to tell you if today's direction is rideable for your kite.
What kite size do you need at Ponta Preta?
Kite size at Ponta Preta depends on the day's wind strength and your weight. Most kiters rig between 10m and 14m. Breeza calculates the ideal size for your gear, so you know before you leave whether it's a go.
Is it safe to kitesurf at Ponta Preta?
Safety at Ponta Preta depends on conditions and your experience. Check for offshore-wind days, local hazards and emergency contacts before you launch. Breeza gives a rideability verdict that includes a safety flag when conditions are borderline for your level.
See if Ponta Preta is ridable right now — wind, direction, and a verdict for your gear.
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