Level: Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Small wave, Medium wave
Water hazards: Swimmers, Wave breaker
Water quality: Cloudy
Beach type & size: Sand - Medium
Infos: The beach gets busy during the weekend with beach-goers. Many huts along the beach.
Identified hazards: Bystanders
Wind type: Trade
Wind specificities: Winds normally increase in the afternoon.
Best months: January, February, March, April, December
Access description: by Car -
Nightlife: Good nightlife in Barranquilla.
Accommodations: Rooms, Toilet, Food, Parking
View spot
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Small wave
Water quality: Clean
Beach type & size: Sand - Big
Wind type: Trade
Best months: January, February, March, December
Access description: by Car -
Specific rules: None
Accommodations: Food, Parking
View spot
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Chop, Small wave
Water quality: Clean
Infos: The water is generally surprisingly choppy - not really like "open water" at all. Along the shoreline there is usually a modest shore break, allowing for some fun wave kiting but nothing really exceptional. The point - Salinas Del Rey - is where most people kite. Inside the point the water is protected and quite smooth, so TT kiters ride there. Peeling off the point is a nice wave. The wave varies from quiet small to moderate (head high) making for decent wave riding most of the time. At times the point "goes off" and the waves can jack up to double overhead. I can't explain "why" or "when" exactly this happens: it certainly happened when the wind picked up to over 25 knots, but according to the locals is also related to the arrival of the full moon. The character of the water changes dramatically: the choppy water offshore turns into big, widely spaced swells that generate a perfect break at the point. These bigger waves can peel off deep into the bay behind the point allowing for long rides on smooth wave faces. Not exactly down-the-line, as the wind is still side-on, but definitely one of the nicest waves I've had the opportunity to ride. It should be mentioned that when the wind picks up (& also with a higher tide) there is a lot of wood floating in the water as the logs along miles of coastline are picked up & blown downwind. A bit hazardous - I never had a serious incident, but charging a wave face wondering if there might be a log about to crash down on top of you was a little nerve-wracking at times.
Beach type & size: Sand - Medium
Infos: Large shallow bay marked with a high rocky outcrop on the upwind end & a point on the downwind end. The shoreline is littered with logs that come from Magdalena river which is about 60 km up the coast. The beach in Santa Veronica itself is narrow, muddy and lined with run-down looking, deserted restaurants. You can launch anywhere along the shoreline of the bay.
Identified hazards: Other
Wind type: Trade
Best months: January, February, March, December
Access description: by Car -
Specific rules: None
Extra: There are a few decent restaurants, one nice hotel, a couple of small stores, no bank or ATM. Getting cash (which you will need) requires a 25 minute tuk tuk ride to the town of Juan De Acosta.
Accommodations: Rooms, School, Rental, Toilet, Food, Parking
View spot
Level: Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Small wave, Medium wave
Water quality: Clean
Infos: Depending on conditions waves can be up to 2m.
Beach type & size: Grass, Sand - Small
Infos: Rocks toward the point. Launch further to the east.
Weather specificities: Warm all year round.
Wind type: Trade
Best months: January, February, March, November, December
Access description: by Car -
Specific rules: None
Nightlife: Go to Barranquilla.
Accommodations: Food, Parking
View spot
Level: Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Small wave, Medium wave
Water quality: Cloudy
Infos: Good wave for the area.
Beach type & size: Sand - Medium
Infos: Some debris on the beach.
Identified hazards: Rocks, Other
Beachgoer: None
Wind type: Trade
Wind specificities: Right at the beach access the wind is slightly offshore. Go a bit downwind for cleaner wind. Winds normally increase in the afternoon.
Best months: January, February, March
Access description: by Car - Take the exit to the condominium and park at the end of the street just straight ahead. Then walk the small way to the beach.
Specific rules: None
Nightlife: Good nightlife in Cartagena.
View spot
Level: Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Flat, Chop, Small wave
Water hazards: Swimmers, Ships, Jetskis, Buoys, Stakes
Water quality: Crystal clear
Infos: The water on the north side spot (Downtown Beach) of the island is choppy with small waves. It can be flat early in the morning. Water is crystal clear and not too deep up to about 100m. Entry and exit is very easy, but have to be carefull with the swimmers close to the beach. Be careful with the old wooden parts of the bridge, keep distance.
Beach type & size: Sand - Medium
Infos: Small beach, just line length wide. Sunbathers around. Not a beginner's spot. Beach more packed during Sundays.
Identified hazards: Trees, Bystanders
Beachgoer: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
Weather specificities: The average temperature for all year is 30C. The water is warm as well, so no wetsuit needed all year.
Wind type: Trade
Wind specificities: The best season for good winds is between December to February and also in the summer June to July. The wind speed for San Andres depending on the season is between 10-20 knots. On the east side the wind is mostly onshore and sideonshore.
Best months: January, February, June, July, December
Access description: by Car, Bus, Train, Boat - Get to San Andres Island. The downtown beach is like 10 minutes of walking from the airport.
Specific rules: Zones
Extra: If you kite downtown, you have to kite near the Lord-Pierre Hotel because at the opposite end of the beach your right in front of the airport runway so it is prohibited. Also downtown, in front of the main beach, you have to stay out of the swimming zone.
Nightlife: There are a lot of good clubs in the main hotels. The biggest and the best is called Blue Deep on top of the Sunrise Beach Hotel. There are also a lot of smaller clubs and bars in the downtown area. These places can all be reached walking when you are downtown.
Accommodations: Rooms, School, Shop, Rental, Shower, Toilet, Food, Parking
View spot
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Chop, Small wave
Water hazards: Swimmers
Water quality: Clean
Beach type & size: Sand - Big
Infos: Some huts for beach-goers, downwind lots of space.
Identified hazards: Bystanders
Wind type: Trade
Wind specificities: Winds normally increase in the afternoon.
Best months: January, February, March
Access description: by Car -
Specific rules: None
Nightlife: Good daily nightlife in Cartagena.
Accommodations: Rooms, School, Food, Parking
View spot
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Chop, Small wave
Water quality: Clean
Infos: Light chop but protected from large chop and waves by bay. The kite zone is upwind from the center.
Beach type & size: Sand - Big
Infos: Super wide beach, miles long. Sandy beach. Save spot for beginners.
Identified hazards: None
Beachgoer: None
Weather specificities: Warm all year.
Wind type: Trade
Wind specificities: The wind usually starts blowing in mid December and provides excellent sideshore conditions until about June. Later then June there are still many kiteable days, just not as many as during the peak season. The worst kiteboarding months in Cartagena are September, October and November. During these months you can count on about one rideable day per week. The typical day here can be described in the following way. It starts out with little wind until about 11am when it starts blowing at around 7 knots. It increases steadily until just before sunset when it can blow between 20 and 25 knots. The wind direction will start straight onshore, but shifts as the wind-speed increases and slowly turns until it blows sideshore.
Best months: January, February, March
Access description: by Car - By taxi: ask to be taken to the La Boquilla. Approximate taxi rates: from center of Cartagena: CO$6000 (US$ 3.00). From Boca Grande: CO$9000 (US$ 4.50). From airport: CO$6000 (US$ 3.00). By bus: take the bus marked 'Crespo' or 'Boquilla' (CO$700 -$1000 (US$ 35-50 cents).
Specific rules: Zones
Extra: Only rule is to kite upwind from the Kite Center. No licenses are required.
Nightlife: Cartagena is the spot to party. Gorgeous girls that love to dance, tons of nightclubs, and cheap. The party starts at around 11pm and often ends after sunrise at an "after party" spot.
Accommodations: Rooms, School, Shop, Shower, Toilet, Food, Parking
View spot
Level: Intermediate, Expert
Type: Lake
Water type: Flat, Chop
Water quality: Clean
Infos: Flat and choppy water.
Beach type & size: Grass, Rocks - Small
Infos: Rocks with grass around the lake.
Weather specificities: Temperature 15-30C, short wetsuit. Before 2pm no wetsuit needed during summer. Then the fog comes from the mountains and you need a 3mm wetsuit.
Wind type: Thermal
Wind specificities: Pretty good, 15-25 knots. A bit gusty though. Wind 365 days a year. With rain no wind.
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
Access description: by Car - Lago Calima with 70 square miles is the biggest artificial lake in Colombia. It's situated in the mountains between Buga and Buenaventura. You reach the lake within 2 hours by car from Cali Airport. The road is in excellent condition and safe!
Specific rules: None
Accommodations: Shop, Rescue, Shower, Toilet, Food, Parking
View spot
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Chop, Small wave
Water hazards: Wave breaker, Bridge
Water quality: Cloudy
Beach type & size: Sand - Medium
Identified hazards: Bystanders
Wind type: Trade
Best months: January, February, March
Access description: by Car -
Accommodations: Shower, Toilet, Food, Parking
View spot
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Shallow, Flat, Small wave, Medium wave
Water hazards: Bridge, Stakes
Water quality: Cloudy
Infos: Sweet waves on the ocean side, flat water in the lagoon close by. Look out for stakes in the lagoon.
Beach type & size: Sand - Medium
Infos: Downwind lots of space to launch.
Identified hazards: Rocks
Beachgoer: None
Wind type: Trade
Wind specificities: Winds normally increase in the afternoon.
Best months: January, February, March, April, December
Access description: by Car - Walk westwards of the jetty to find the space to launch your kite.
Specific rules: None
Nightlife: Good nightlife in Barranquilla, only 15 min away.
Accommodations: Rooms, Food
View spot
Level: Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Chop, Small wave
Water hazards: Reefs
Water quality: Crystal clear
Infos: Beautiful blue water with small waves. Flat in between. Look out for corals.
Beach type & size: Sand - Small
Infos: Long beach, but not very wide. Since winds are onshore, it is enough space, but does not leave much space for errors, therefore not suited for beginners.
Identified hazards: Trees, Bystanders
Beachgoer: January, December
Weather specificities: The average temperature for all year is 30C. The water is warm as well, so no wetsuit needed all year.
Wind type: Trade
Wind specificities: The best season for good winds is between December to February and also in the summer June to July. The wind speed for San Andres depending on the season is between 10-35 knots.
Best months: January, February, June, July, December
Access description: by Car - Park at the El Paraiso restaurant, just on the main road.
Specific rules: None
Nightlife: There are a lot of good clubs in the main hotels. The biggest and the best is called Blue Deep on top of the Sunrise Beach Hotel. There are also a lot of smaller clubs and bars in the downtown area. These places can all be reached walking when you are downtown.
Accommodations: Toilet, Food, Parking
View spot
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Island
Water type: Shallow, Flat, Chop, Small wave
Water hazards: Swimmers, Buoys, Reefs
Water quality: Crystal clear
Infos: Crystal clear water. Shallow area with flat and choppy water. 1-2m waves on the reef, look out for the shallow parts of the reefs.
Beach type & size: Sand - Small
Infos: Beautiful white sand. Small beach, but it is quiet wide. Can be packed with tourists.
Identified hazards: Trees, Bystanders
Weather specificities: The average temperature for all year is 30C. The water is warm as well, so no wetsuit needed all year.
Wind type: Trade
Wind specificities: The best season for good winds is between December to February and also in the summer June to July. The wind speed for San Andres depending on the season is between 10-35 knots.
Best months: January, February, June, July, December
Access description: by Boat - Johnny Cay is a tiny island which can be seen from the main beach of San Andres Island. You need a boat to get there or ride there from the Downtown Beach.
Specific rules: Zones
Extra: It is forbidden to launch and land kites on the island.
Nightlife: For nightlife go back to San Andres Island. There are a lot of good clubs in the main hotels. The biggest and the best is called Blue Deep on top of the Sunrise Beach Hotel. There are also a lot of smaller clubs and bars in the downtown area. These places can all be reached walking when you are downtown.
Accommodations: None
View spot
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Lake
Water type: Shallow, Flat
Water hazards: None
Water quality: Cloudy
Infos: Nice flat water, small chop in the middle. Big shallow area.
Beach type & size: Pebbles - Small
Infos: Good riders launch from the parking lot. Otherwise in the shallow, or safest is on the other side of the lake on the beach.
Identified hazards: Trees
Beachgoer: None
Wind type: Trade
Wind specificities: Good winds from around December until April. Always add few knots to the forecasts.
Best months: January, February, March, April, December
Access description: by Car -
Specific rules: None
Nightlife: Good nightlife in Barranquilla.
Accommodations: School, Toilet, Parking
View spot
Level: Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Shallow, Flat
Water hazards: None
Water quality: Clean
Infos: Very warm water, perfectly flat, no waves, no dangerous animals, 4 km beach horseshoe type.
Beach type & size: Sand - Medium
Infos: Soft sand beach, lots of room for safety launch and land kites, uninhabited area, very extreme, one side of the beach is near a desert, this area is suitable for landkiting.
Identified hazards: None
Weather specificities: There is no rain, 12mm of rain each year, very warm and calm, average 30C air and 22C water.
Wind type: Trade
Wind specificities: Wind is very strong ranging from 25-35 knots most of the time, low wind season just May and June, 15-25 knots, very unpredictable, you should not expect less than 15 knots all year around. Direction, wind is mostly offshore, but can change depending of time of day sideshore in the mornings to 10am. Best time to kitesurfing, very early in the morning, or very late in the afternoon, you can expect steady winds and not too gusty. Mostly offshore wind in the middle of the bay, so sideshore wind at the end of the beach.
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
Access description: by Car - You have to go to Bogota, then to Riohacha, and then get a taxi that will take you to Cabo de la Vela, there is one hour by plane from Bogota to Riohacha, and then two hours to Cabo de la Vela, try to use a confident people to transport you, or let your travel agency arrange all transportation.
Specific rules: None
Extra: This is a very remote place, very safe, since local people protect their territory very much. Cabo de la Vela is a very small town, 1200 population, and all area is surrounded by family houses called "Rancherias", you should stay in one of those, you should sleep in "hamacas" under a shelter, first night is hard but then you get used to, price for one week including Hamaca, Fresh Water, Drinks (No licuor) and meals, just fresh fish and crab, will range from 80-100 USD. There are no rules, no commodities, no air conditioner, no fans, no beds, no electric power, no running water, no showers. Water is provided by a tank car once a week and ice is provided once a day, at night there are solar powered lamps that are on until they run out of charge. Showers are closed and you have to use a bucket to carry your own water, as well as sanitary services. Cabo de la Vela has a small hospital with emergency room and small surgery and minor procedures availability. Next big hospital at two hour ride.
Accommodations: Food, Parking
View spot
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Chop, Small wave
Water hazards: None
Water quality: Clean
Beach type & size: Sand - Big
Identified hazards: None
Beachgoer: None
Wind type: Trade
Wind specificities: Winds normally increase in the afternoon.
Best months: January, February, March
Access description: by Car - Private access.
Specific rules: None
Nightlife: Good daily nightlife in Cartagena.
Accommodations: Rooms, Parking
View spot
Level: Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Small wave, Medium wave
Water hazards: Swimmers, Wave breaker
Water quality: Clean
Infos: Lots of wave breakers, not suited for beginners. Look out for swimmers.
Beach type & size: Sand - Medium
Infos: The beach can be very packed with sunbathers.
Identified hazards: Bystanders
Wind type: Trade
Wind specificities: Winds normally increase in the afternoon.
Best months: January, February, March
Access description: by Car -
Specific rules: None
Nightlife: Good daily nightlife in Cartagena.
Accommodations: Rooms, Shower, Toilet, Food, Parking
View spot
Level: Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Chop, Small wave
Water hazards: Swimmers
Water quality: Cloudy
Beach type & size: Sand - Tidal
Wind type: Trade
Wind specificities: Most of the time the wind will be offshore and gusty since it blows from the North. Sometimes the wind blows from West starting in the morning, then dying off towards the afternoon.
Best months: January, February, March
Access description: by Car - Just south of the hospital in Castillogrande.
Nightlife: Good daily nightlife in Cartagena.
Accommodations: Rooms, Parking
View spot
Level: Intermediate, Expert
Type: Island
Water quality: Crystal clear
Beach type & size: Sand - Small
Infos: Several, small launches at different islands.
Wind type: Trade
Best months: January, February, March
Access description: by Boat -
Accommodations: Rooms, Shower, Toilet, Food, Parking
View spot
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Shallow, Flat, Chop, Small wave
Water hazards: Wave breaker
Water quality: Cloudy
Infos: Chop to small waves. Some areas close to the river mouth with flat and shallow water.
Beach type & size: Sand - Big
Infos: Big sandy beach with lots of space.
Identified hazards: None
Beachgoer: None
Weather specificities: Just shorts all year.
Wind type: Trade
Wind specificities: Winds get stronger in the afternoon. Winds between 15-30 knots.
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, December
Access description: by Car - Access the main road and find a sand road that leads to the beach.
Specific rules: None
Extra: You will be parking in a very poor area, keep this in mind.
Nightlife: Drive to Barranquilla.
Accommodations: Food
View spot