Kitesurfing Punta Gallinas

Wind & Conditions

Northernmost tip of South America and Colombia; three separate kite zones — a shallow inland lagoon (best for learning), a beach break, and a dune-launch wave spot. NE trade 25-35 kt Dec-Sep; morning E side-offshore shifting to NE side-onshore from 10am. Requires Wayúu indigenous guides; 5-6 h from Riohacha. All levels (lagoon=beginner, beach=advanced).

About Punta Gallinas

Punta Gallinas sits at the very tip of the Guajira Peninsula — the northernmost point of South America and of Colombia — where the Caribbean trades blow hard and the landscape feels like another world. Getting here from Riohacha takes 5 to 6 hours across desert terrain and into Wayúu indigenous territory, so factor that into your planning from day one. Three distinct kite zones spread across this remote corner. The shallow inland lagoon is the standout for beginners: flat water, predictable depth, and enough room to get your kite sorted without worrying about what's downwind. The beach offers a proper ocean setup for intermediates stepping up, with the wind chop and swell you'd expect from an open Caribbean exposure. For wave riders, a dune-launch spot puts you straight into the break — that one's advanced territory. The wind is NE trade, running December through September, typically 25 to 35 knots. Mornings start easterly, giving you a side-offshore angle — the usable kite window runs 270° to 50°. Around 10am the breeze tends to clock to NE and shift side-onshore. That transition matters: side-offshore at the beach launch is workable for experienced riders, but it's not where you want to be if your water relaunch is still unreliable. Match your zone to your skill level and to where the wind is sitting when you arrive. The season is long — December through September — which makes Punta Gallinas one of the more consistent kite destinations in northern South America. Facilities on site are minimal. There are no kite schools or rental operations out here; the peninsula is remote and that's the point. Bring your own gear, spare lines, and enough supplies for the duration. The approach is an adventure in itself. The 5 to 6 hour road from Riohacha is rough, and the territory belongs to the Wayúu people, so arranging local indigenous guides is not optional — it's required. This isn't a bureaucratic formality; Wayúu guides navigate the terrain and make the whole trip run. Plan accommodation in advance and treat the logistics as part of the experience, not an afterthought. Punta Gallinas rewards riders who come prepared. Show up with the right kit, a guide arranged, and a flexible mindset, and you'll find three zones covering everything from a flat-water learner session in the lagoon to a dune-launch wave ride at the northernmost tip of the continent.

Best Season

Check the Breeza app for the current rideable window at Punta Gallinas.

World Ranking

Not globally ranked, but a kitesurf destination — a local favourite worth a check when the wind lines up.

Location

Punta Gallinas, La Guajira, Colombia, Colombia

Lat: 12.4547, Lon: -71.6593