Being a tropical island with year-round beach season, Puerto Rico is heaven for adrenaline seekers and watersports fans. It's an ideal place to try surfing, windsurfing, or kiteboarding, which has become especially popular in recent years. There's quite a selection of rentals, schools, and kiteboarding shops throughout the main island.
Puerto Rico also enjoys a steady wind with predictable patterns throughout the year. The kitesurfing season generally coincides with the dry season from December through April. The strongest wind blows in January and February, ranging from 10 to 25 knots. This is the best time for advanced riders as the seas can get rather turbulent. The summer season from June through August is great for beginners due to calm waters and steady wind up to 18 knots.
The list of top kiteboarding destinations includes Isla Verde featuring the big bay and a wide beach area. Water is rather choppy in the winter and mostly flat during the summer. Isla Verde can be reached just by a 15 minutes drive from San Juan. Nearby Punta Las Marias is another great beach to try water sports.
Another great kiteboarding spot, Dorado Beach, is located a bit further from the capital and can be reached in 45 minutes. It has a few shops offering gear and lessons for surfers and kiteboarders.
The South coast of Puerto Rico also boasts a few decent kiteboarding beaches. Gilligan’s Bay has great steady wind but no launching pad, so it's only possible to launch from a boat. La Parguera Bay is the most popular beach on the south shore due to steady wind, flat water, and a large open area. At night, you can experience bioluminescent plankton in the bay, a unique natural phenomenon that shouldn't be missed.
Practical info
What is kiteboarding?
Kiteboarding is an extreme water sport that draws on elements of windsurfing, surfing, and wakeboarding. It is powered by a large kite that pulls the rider across the water on a board. The rider must wear a harness that is attached to a control bar to steer the kite and adjust their speed. Kiteboarding requires skill, practice, and physical fitness to perform safely. Show more
Which time of the year is best for advanced kiteboarding?
The prime kitesurfing season in Puerto Rico coincides with the dry season, running from December to April. For advanced riders, the best time is when the strongest winds occur in January and February, with speeds of 10-25 knots. Although the water is turbulent during this period, it is an ideal time for experienced kite surfers. The summer months from June to August are best suited for beginners due to their calm waters and steady winds of up to 18 knots. Show more
Which beach area in Puerto Rico is ideal and has a big bay?
Isla Verde is located approximately 15 minutes drive from San Juan and is one of the best kiteboarding spots in Puerto Rico. It offers a broad beach area with powdery sand and crystal-clear waters, making it ideal for kiteboarding. The beach area can be crowded at the weekends, but the kiteboarding school and rental shops provide a safe and enjoyable ambiance. In the winter, the water can be choppy with mostly flat water during the summer season. Show more
What is the distance between San Juan and Isla Verde?
The distance between Isla Verde and San Juan is approximately 7 kilometers (4.3 miles). Taxis are the quickest way to get there, costing around 15-20 USD. An alternative is to take a city bus or rent a car to visit other kiteboarding destinations like Dorado Beach or La Parguera Bay. Show more
What unique natural phenomenon can be experienced in La Parguera Bay?
La Parguera Bay is a south Puerto Rican beach popular with kiteboarders because of its flat waters, large open area and steady wind. However, the bay's most extraordinary feature is witnessing the bioluminescent plankton. The natural phenomenon occurs at night when the plankton light up the water due to a chemical reaction between the plankton, oxygen, and saltwater. This phenomenon is a rare spectacle that can only be witnessed in a handful of places worldwide, making it a must-see attraction in Puerto Rico. Show more
