Havana Kiteboarding Club has been teaching kiteboarding lessons in Cayo Guillermo since this stretch of Cuba’s northern coast became one of the well-known kitesurfing destinations. Our club is based right on the beach at Cayo Guillermo, a small cay on the north coast of Cuba, about five hours east of Havana by road. The water here is shallow and warm, the wind blows consistently from late October through early May, and the whole place still feels far removed from the typical tourist circuit.
At a glance:
- We are an IKO-certified school at Cayo Guillermo, Cuba
- Kiteboarding lessons and wingfoil lessons for all levels, from complete beginners to independent riders; private (1:1) and group options up to 1:4
- Equipment: RRD kites, boards, wing foil gear
- Wind season: late October to early May; flat, shallow water conditions
- Instructor certification: IKO; students receive IKO certification on completion
- Excursions: boat safari, catamaran tour, jeep adventure, downwind runs, wakeboarding
About our spot at Cayo Guillermo
Cayo Guillermo is a small island connected to the main Cuban coast by a causeway, sitting inside a natural lagoon with flat, shallow water that runs for kilometres. The bottom is sandy and the depth stays manageable through the launch and ride zones, which makes it easier for beginners to get confident quickly. There is no swell to deal with. The water is warm year-round and you can ride comfortably without a wetsuit for most of the season.
The lagoon setting also keeps the chop down. When the wind is up, the water surface is flat enough for smooth water starts and easy kite control, which matters a lot in the early stages of learning. More experienced riders use the same conditions to put together long sessions downwind along the coast.
Our kiteboarding season at Cayo Guillermo
The season runs from the end of October through to the first days of May. During these months, the trade winds deliver consistent, steady conditions across the lagoon. The wind blows predominantly from the east and north-east, keeping the riding area clean and cross-offshore. Air temperatures stay warm throughout, and the water temperature rarely drops below comfortable.
Outside the season, Cayo Guillermo gets its share of light-wind days, but those are genuinely the exception between November and April. It is one of the reasons riders keep coming back after their first visit.
Kiteboarding lessons we provide
We run IKO-structured kiteboarding lessons from a one-hour kite discovery session right through to a full 12-hour independent course. Each stage builds on the last: wind window and safety systems first, then land kite control, body drag in the water, water starts, and finally independent riding in all directions including upwind. Students who complete the full progression leave with their IKO certification.
Lessons are available as private 1:1 sessions or in groups of up to four students per instructor. Group lessons keep costs lower while still allowing real progression; the flat, shallow water means an instructor can cover multiple students without losing sight of anyone.
We also run wingfoil lessons, which follow a similar progression from wing handling on a big board through to foiling. Wing courses run from 1 to 8 hours, with the first couple of hours focused on getting comfortable with the wing and a large board before transitioning to a foil board. By the end of a full wing course, most students can ride upwind in both directions.
Our equipment
We ride and teach on RRD kites and boards. RRD gear is available for rental whether you are taking lessons or already know how to ride and just want to get on the water. We carry kites, twintip boards, surf boards, wing foil boards, and wings. If you are travelling light and do not want to bring your own quiver, we can set you up with everything you need from the beach.
Excursions and no-wind days
Cayo Guillermo has a lot going on beyond the kite beach. We run boat safaris around the small islands in the lagoon, including snorkelling stops and lunch at Media Luna Island. The catamaran tour covers the same ground at a slower pace, with paddleboarding and wakeboarding options added in. The jeep adventure takes you to an exclusive beach inside a natural park with access to kitesurfing, SUP among the mangroves, and wakeboarding with a jetski.
For riders who want to cover some distance, we organise downwind runs from Playa el Paso to Playa Pilar (8 km) or the longer Cayo Coco to Playa el Paso run at 40 km, with a jetski or boat on hand for support. On days when the wind does not show up, we switch to wakeboarding behind the jetski so the session does not go to waste.
Cuba is not the most obvious kite destination on the Caribbean map, but Cayo Guillermo keeps pulling riders back once they have found it. The conditions are reliable, the water is flat, and there is a lot more to do when the kites come down.
