The Windsurfing

Sal is a windsurfer’s paradise with long sandy beaches, a variety of conditions and a resident windsurfing world champion – Josh Angulo. All tastes are catered for here, from those trying the sport out for the first time to windsurfers interested in a wave taster course and fully-fledged professionals wanting to blast. Apart from windsurfing and waveriding, kitesurfing is also big at Sal. There are a selection of beaches for different abilities, with frequent excursions to some of the less accessible sailing spots.

Santa Maria – is the main bay with a lovely, gold sandy beach. The wind is cross off and gusty in the centre but side shore further round the bay. Typical to Sal, there is a shore break with a steep shelf that drops you into to deeper water.

Punte Lemje (Albatros) – a place where the windsurfers hang out and an easy spot to surf. A well formed wave peals around the point and the wind direction is cross off from the left. Located close to the fine hotels and residences of Santa Maria where the wind is a constant side shore or side-offshore. When the swell is south it creates a long wave that is safe and easy to ride.

Canoa – close to Rife, another wave break, Canoa is an easy and safe spot. The wind blows side/side off and the waves are small and easy to surf with no difficult shore break, which makes it ideal for all riders.

Ponta Preta – this is one of the very best windsurfing places on the planet and where the big waveriders head for! The waves can be up to 5 meters and start breaking very far from the beach. They roll in for a few hundred meters with a glassy wave face and then finish as a big shore break on the white sand. Most of the time, the wind is side-offshore and coming from the right. This spot is for advanced riders only but well worth a visit just to witness the ocean at its best and watch those that dare to pull off insane manoeuvres – you won’t forget it!