Caribbean or elsewhere in June?

farwellbooth · Since 28 Oct 2008 26 Posts Seattle

Hello,

Looking to find wind anywhere warm in June. Thinking about Cabarete but really can go anywhere... I'd like to accomplish:

-Good wind in early June
-Preferably resort like with access to tennis (gf doesn't do wind sports). At a minimum 3 stars.
-Good windsurfing equipment available for rent along with kiteboarding instruction and gear
-Decent conditions for a beginner kiter, side to onshore wind, small/nonexistent waves

Many thanks,
James

FlyDunes · Since 09 Oct 2007 1034 Posts Aloha XTreme Poster

If I remember right, the summer was pretty dead for wind in Puerto Rico. You could probably check iKitesurf for history tho.

MasViento · Since 03 Mar 2009 235 Posts 97031 Stoked

Yeah PR is dead that time of year. Not a great island anytime of year in my opinion, was born there and dont really like it due to crime, drugs, and crazy folks all over the roads. Skip it !

Cabarete also good then, but also crowded and your learning in the ocean. Lots of kites on the water all the time. The locals have learned it and it can be crowded. Not much to do for the girlie. She may not like to sit on any beach that has 20 mph wind no matter where u go. Brugal rum rocks the house though !

-Better places. Include Venezuela. Isla de Margarita is the take off point for a few epic places to kite. They are Isla Coche, Roques, and el Yaque.
Fly to Cumana Venezuela and take ferry over. Or fly to Caracas and catch a connecting flight on small local airline which u can book on arrival there. MUCH CHEAPER (Aserca Airlines, Aeropostal, Conviasa) . Lots of resorts on isla Margarita and other stuff to do for the gf. Wind surf and kite gear avail.

Try this link : http://kitesurf.wtfe.com/

-If money no object and you like scenery I would to to the Canary islands off coast of Spain / North Africa. They are a Spanish island and also speak that language. Beautiful place from what I understand , but have not been there myself. Involves a trip across the pond with a little jet-lag from west coast.

These two places are both VERY windy and you will be in the ocean. If you are a beginner that can be tough. Maybe Hatteras would be better b/c you can be in the Slick where it is flat and windy. The folks at REAL do a great job instructing. However , there aint much to do there for the gf.

Here is the world wide list for wind in

JUNE :

Fuerteventura, Tenerife, cape verde, cabarete, Raratonga, The gorge-USA, Bol-Croatia, Ponto de Oura-Mozambique, Seychelles*, Maui-USA, fiji, Essaouira-Morocco, Guincho-Portugal, el yaque-venezuela, rhodes-greece, levkada-greece, dakhla-morocco , Corsica, Rhodes-Greece, Pirlanta-Turkey, Paramali-Cyprus, porto pollo-Sardinia, Lanzarote, Bonaire-Carib, St. Lucia-Carib, Sri Lanka**, Aruba-Carib, Puclaro-Chile, Mancora-Peru, Sumbawa-Indonesia, Los Roques

* - means varies depending on the island or side.
** - monsoon season this is the dry side of the island

Also check this link for the entire year by month:

http://www.kiteforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=83&t=2310900&start=60

Another decent link is Kite atlas, however it is not brokem down by the month nor season so you have to narrow it down by season and country first then it lists all spots and kite schools for that country.

http://www.kitesurfatlas.com/

Pray for wind,
EA

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1872 Posts XTreme Poster

Bonaire in June/July. Awesome beg/int windsurfing in Lac Bay--boring adv. Awesome FLAT water offshore kiting about 5 km away. Very good lessons at about 1/2 the price of US. The diving/snorkeling is incredible. Love the place, and am going back again this late June. Great place for non-wind addicted family members too.

Eric

Blue · Since 03 Jul 2007 469 Posts I used to be Obsessed

dancingwind · Since 18 Jul 2007 321 Posts Obsessed

Haven't done much Kite related traveling yet, so can't help with any sound advice/suggestions!! Having said that, KITEWORLD magazines' latest issue #37 comes with a KITE TRAVELING GUIDE!! You can find it at Borders and Barns & Noble!!

/www.kiteworldmag.com/

Awesome pics Eric & Blue. Wish I was there, like right now!!

P.S. U can read their back issues electronically if you're bored or lacking wind. It's pretty sweet!!

Nak · Mon Mar 16, 09 9:28 pm

Eric, what are the typical costs for lodging & getting out to the flat water? Thanks!

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1872 Posts XTreme Poster

My then 11 year old learned there in offshore. We went mostly as a place for my wife, and then 11 and 8 year olds to windsurf in Lac Bay. I am done windsurfing so I was going to kite only. As it turned out we came home with two more kiters in the family.

The kite school sets up shop each am on the beach and rescues are $20.00 if you are not taking lessons--they have two boats. I booked a 5, three hour lesson package for my older son--private, with boat support even though I teach kiting, as the conditions are the best I have ever seen for learning. 84 degree water, super steady 15 to 20 mph wind, and the water is GLASS. My 8 year old took two lessons and a had a great time too. Both returned to Hood River ready to kite on their own with me as support on a waverunner.

For me, the kiting was so fun because it's so different than what we have here. You can see the bottom as you kite! Flying fish, turtles, dolphins...

Prices for lodging are from motel type prices: 120/night for a family of 4 with kitchen, to much more if you want a "Villa" right on the water--as in walk out your front door and jump in the water to snorkel. Bonaire is famous for its diving and snorkeling.

When we were there in Dec of 07/08 it blew 12m Bow for me about 15 out of 21 days. Never needed my 9. The flat water is where it's at there. Tried wave kiting on the wind-ward side of the island, but the period is so small that it's more like moguls from hell. Sky Solbach grew up there, and he might know of a secret wave spot.

It's a very laid back island. No casinos, no night life, nothing like Aruba at all. Wake up, go snorkel or dive, go to kite beach at 12 ish and kite until 5-5:30. Eat, drink, wake-up and repeat. You need to have a rental car for sure, but the rates on cars there are good: $350/week for a pickup truck, or less for a pea shooter.

I am going back this late June--which is supposed to be windier than December--with my family and my sister's family (none of whom do any windy stuff). As a family vacation it's pretty amazing.

I have links if anyone wants--PM me.

Eric

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

that spot looks awesome - great pics Eric Thumb's Up

Bonetti · Since 29 Apr 2007 411 Posts So. Cal./Oregon Obsessed

Nice pics!!!

Nak · Tue Mar 17, 09 9:22 am

Great pics. Thanks for all of the info Eric! Bonaire definitely goes on the must do list!

We need a travel section... One place to put threads showing great spots & how to get there. Very Happy