Characterized by a semi-arid climate and a very different vegetation compared to the classic tropical Caribbean, Curacao is indeed more similar to the southwest of the United States. In fact, the landscape is full of various species of cactus, evergreens and spiny bushes.
Nevertheless, the island strikes with interesting spots, which offer a great diversity of kiting conditions, for all the levels of riders.
Nick Brouwer, the owner and instructor at Nixkitecuracao, helped us find out what the island has to offer.
Saint Joris Bay is absolutely the top location for kitesurfers on Curacao. It is actually a large lake, which connects to the Caribbean Sea though a canal. The spot is very popular not only for the 'Curaçaoans,' but also for many kite-tourists coming for flat water conditions.
The spot, which is very easy to access, offers an onshore wind with the first 40 meters of shallow water, usually with mirror-smooth surface. The spot is for sure ideal for people who still have to learn kitesurfing or have little experience in riding.
If we don’t want to get to far from Willemstad, the island’s capital, we can go to Marie Pompoen, where we can find side-shore winds and pleasant conditions of shallow waves. However, the spot is suitable only to go kiting for advanced riders, due to the difficult access to the water, consisting in narrow passages through the rocky coastline.
Expert Kite surfers can find great conditions in Little Curacao (Klein Curaçao). It is a deserted island located 10 kilometers southeast of Curacao with turquoise waters, shipwrecks and great waves. Of course, kiting in Little Curacao is beautiful, but also pretty difficult, and the spots are only suitable for advanced riders.
The waves around the little island are quite big with side winds.
The island in uninhabited, but we can easily find daily flights to this little paradise, which still remains an important breeding ground for various bird species.
Wind conditions.
The season on Curacao runs between December and August. The best period is between May and July, when the wind blows between the 15/ 25 knots every day. September, October and November there is no wind.
It's pretty easy to find good accommodations on the island. In order to be close to the main spot of Saint Joris Bay, stay at Hacienda La Bouganville, which is located less than 2 km from it.
