Wind Sports Center runs kitesurfing lessons on Boa Vista in Cape Verde, one of the windiest islands in the Atlantic, where the trade winds blow reliably from November through April. Our centre sits right on Praia do Estoril, next to the giant dune beside the Bahia Beach Club, about 10 minutes’ walk from Sal Rei, the island’s main town. Boa Vista gets wind when Europe goes cold, which is what brings riders here.
At a glance:
- We are an IKO and VDWS-certified school at Praia do Estoril, Sal Rei, Boa Vista, Cape Verde
- Kitesurfing lessons and wingfoil lessons for all levels; semi-private and private kite lessons always with boat support due to offshore wind conditions
- Communication headphones (BB Talkin) included; dedicated rescue boat on the water at all times
- Equipment: Cabrinha kites, kite boards, hydrofoil boards, wings, harnesses, wetsuits, helmets, and impact vests
- Wind: NNE trade winds, 15-30 knots, building from around 11am and easing by 5pm; November to April peak season
- Certified multilingual instructors
- Camp accommodation at Vilas Na Areia Aparthotel, 300-500 m from the centre; airport transfers available
- Partner restaurant Bahia Beach Club on-site: sun loungers, bar, meals, and sunset caipirinhas
About our kite spot in Boa Vista
Our kitesurfing spot at Praia do Estoril is a working ocean bay. The trade wind comes from the north-northeast, which makes it offshore, and that keeps the surface conditions honest. On a typical day, you get flat water or small rolling swell at waist to shoulder height, and entries and exits are easy. All our kitesurfing lessons here run with a boat escort. It is not the kind of setup where you follow a flag down a lagoon and come back. The setup is more dynamic, and the boat keeps it safe and efficient for students at every level.
When the swell builds, we move. Just in front of the centre there is a reef at waist to shoulder height, good for side-offshore manoeuvres. Leoa is 900 metres from us, a right-hand wave in three sections, reached via channel. On big days with a heavy shore break, our guides take riders to sheltered spots around the island by 4×4. No two days here are exactly the same.
Our kitesurfing season in Boa Vista
The season runs from the end of October through to the end of April, with peak conditions from November to March. The trade winds from the NNE stabilise around 11am and run at 15-30 knots through the afternoon before dropping off around 5pm. That makes for a clean, predictable window most days, perfect for lessons and rental sessions alike. Air temperatures sit between 22°C and 28°C through the season, with the water not far behind. A thin shorty is usually enough. People come here to escape the European winter and Boa Vista does exactly that.
Kitesurfing lessons we provide
Kitesurfing lessons in Boa Vista run as semi-private or private, always with boat support. Group classes happen at Ponta António, an onshore spot with flat water and shelter. All lesson formats cover the IKO curriculum from beginner through to independent riding. Beginners work through kite control, body-dragging, and water starts over a five-day course. The boat stays close throughout, faster feedback and less time swimming after kit.
Wingfoil lessons are also boat-accompanied for beginners, with intermediate and advanced students joining the instructor on the water. The offshore wind and the island’s consistent pressure make Boa Vista a good place to learn wingfoiling quickly. Group lessons run up to 4 students with 4 rigs. Semi-private and private lessons give you either more water time or dedicated one-on-one teaching. All lesson packs include the full kit: board, foil, wing, harness, wetsuit, helmet, booties, and impact vest. BB Talkin radios keep the communication clear.
After lessons, certified students can sit the VDWS exam and receive an internationally recognised card, useful for renting equipment at kite schools anywhere in the world.
Our equipment
We use Cabrinha kites and wingfoil gear, updated regularly. Boards cover twin-tip and surfboard shapes for kitesurfing, with hydrofoil setups for kite foiling and wingfoiling. Dakine harnesses and accessories are included in all rental and lesson packages. A 10% shop discount applies to all lesson guests if you want to buy gear on the island.
Our camps
The Boa Vista camp is based at the Vilas Na Areia Aparthotel, 300-500 metres from our centre. Apartments sleep two to four guests, and the complex has a pool, bar, dining area, and a massage space. Camp packages include seven nights, five days of lessons, airport transfers, breakfast, and dinner. Meals lean on Cape Verdean cooking: fresh fish caught daily in the bay, cachupa stew, and local fruit. Dinners are served at restaurants in Sal Rei, a small town that moves at its own pace.
The Bahia Beach Club sits right next to our centre. It is our partner on the island: sun loungers in front of the sea, quality food and drink, and a spot to watch the sun go down with a caipirinha after a long day on the water. It is the kind of place that makes you stay longer than you planned.
If the offshore Atlantic and the raw simplicity of Boa Vista is what you are after in winter, this is where we spend those months. Our Algarve base in Lagos runs the complementary programme in summer, April through October, with the same team and same approach. Find out more about our Wind Sports Center in Algarve, Portugal here.
