Perfect wind. That´s why São Miguel do Gostoso is so popular when it comes to kitesurfing and windsurfing. It is considered one of the best spots in the world due to its wind and temperature conditions: here we have the combination of strong winds, clean and spacious beaches, warm waters and good wave variation. This also ensures fast and safe learning.
The best season for sailing is from October to March, September is practicable but the South beaches are preferable for a more stable and less strong wind. We recommend practicing the sport at low tide, for better conditions.
The city spot is very wide: it has a side/side on wind area (KiteCenter Kauli Seadi), Ponta do Santo Cristo for freestyle and freeride (Dr. Wind) and reef area for kitewave practice, flat sea and small waves in low and medium tide (Praia do Cardeiro) and wind site/side on a learning area (Praia do Maceió).
When the wind in Gostoso is offshore and/or strong (usually at the beginning of the season), it’s interesting to explore the surrounding spots as:
– Lagoa do Sal: 10 km south, at low tide, usually with waves;
– Perobas: 35 km south, flat at low tide, for advanced classes;
– Rio Punaú: in the high tides of the Moon, water in the waist, stunning landscape, great for freestyle and advanced classes;
– Maracajaú: 60 km south, a large bay with flat water and small waves, great for freestyle and classes for beginners and advance learners.
When the wind is weak, the option is to go up north and find more wind:
– Tourinhos: 8 km north, for surfing and a beautiful sunset;
– Praia do Marco: (landmark of the Brazilian discovery): 25 km north, great for freeride, freestyle, classes for beginners and advance learners;
– São Bento do Norte: 60 km north, for freeride and freestyle and advanced classes;
– Galinhos: 90 km north, kitetrip in the lagoons.
It’s possible to organize many kite trips, downwinds of different distances on the entire coast, at low and medium tide (followed by a 4×4 or buggy). A classic downwind is from Gostoso to Marco beach or Lagoa do Sal to Gostoso.
In São Miguel do Gostoso there are several schools for those who want to learn how to sail. The course is taken in stages respecting the learning limits of each student, who can only move on to the next step when well performing the previous one. The main schools are:
– Dr. Wind: since 2006, Paolo Migliorini has set up a kite and windsurf club at Ponta do Santo Cristo. It has several instructors, all with IKO certificate. He works with RRD equipment, does kitetrips and also has storage to keep the equipment. At the same place, there is a bar for you to enjoy during the day, where parties also take place in the high season;
– Kauli Seadi: 3 times windsurfing world champion, he has two clubs: one at Praia do Cardeiro for windsurfers or SUP, and another at the beginning of Monte Alegre, the KiteCenter, for kitesurfers. He has several instructors, all with IKO certificate. The school usually does kitetrips, also has storage and uses Core equipment. In both places, there is a bar structure.
– Features of the location:
Wind: side on-shore
Wind strength: between 17 and 25 knots
Wind direction: east-southeast
Waves: between one and two meters feet tall, with north swell
Water temperature: between 22 and 26 degrees
Best season to sail: between September and April
Most used kite equipment: 8-12 m
Kite equipment for strong winds: 9 m
Most used windsurfing sails: 4.7 and 5.3
Type of navigation: waves (surf), flat (freestyle) and downwind.