Skip to main content
Kitesurfing
Photo by Tho-Ge on Pixabay · Pixabay License
Water SportsEast Curaçao (Banda Ariba)

Kitesurfing

Trade winds and flat water at Sint Joris

DifficultyBeginner_to_advanced
Duration2-4 hours per session
Price$70-150 lesson; $50-80/day rental
Type
Water Sports
Difficulty
Beginner_to_advanced
Duration
2-4 hours per session
Price
$70-150 lesson; $50-80/day rental
Min age
12+
Group size
1-2 per instructor
Best season
Strongest winds December-August; usable year-round
Fitness
Moderate
Rating
4.6/5
Physical req.
Moderate fitness, good swimming ability, and core strength for board control. Beginners can learn the basics over several lessons.
The experience

Kitesurfing

Ride steady trade winds over flat, shallow water at Sint Joris Bay on the east coast. A reliably windy, protected bay that suits both lessons for first-timers and freestyle for pros.

Curaçao sits in the path of dependable easterly trade winds, and the best place to harness them is Sint Joris Bay on the east coast. The bay is large, shallow, and largely flat, with the wind blowing side-on across protected water, which is exactly the combination kitesurfers want for both learning and progression.

Because the bay is sheltered and the bottom is shallow, beginners can stand and reset while learning board starts, then graduate to longer runs as their kite control improves. Experienced riders use the flat water for freestyle and the open space for fast reaching. The wind is most reliable through the winter and spring trade-wind season, but it blows usefully much of the year.

Conditions at Sint Joris

  • Steady cross-shore trade winds, strongest from roughly December to August.
  • Flat, shallow water that is forgiving for lessons and ideal for freestyle.
  • A wide bay with room to ride well away from swimmers.
  • IKO-style schools offering lessons and gear rental.

The bay is on the quieter eastern side of the island, away from the resort beaches; the Curaçao Ostrich Farm at Groot Sint Joris is nearby for a non-wind day. Always ride with a school or buddy, check the wind forecast, and respect the right-of-way rules in a busy bay.

At a glance

What to know before you go

Good for
Adventure Seekers
Solo Travelers
Couples
Thrill Seekers
Included
Kite, board, and safety gear (with lessons or rental)
Certified instructor for lessons
Helmet and impact vest
Safety briefing
What to bring
Reef-safe sunscreen
Water shoes or booties
Rash guard
Water bottle
Dry bag for valuables
Action camera
Good to note
Never kite alone; offshore gusts can carry beginners out.
Kite lines can cause serious cuts; keep distance from other riders.
Drink water often, as dehydration sets in even on the water.
Confirm your travel insurance covers kitesurfing.
Plan it

Plan this experience

The essentials for booking Kitesurfing and getting there.

Best season
Strongest winds December-August; usable year-round
Group size
1-2 per instructor
Minimum age
12+
In pictures

Photo gallery

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

Sint Joris Bay on the east coast is the prime spot. The bay is large, shallow, and mostly flat, with steady cross-shore trade winds, which is exactly the setup kitesurfers want for both learning and freestyle.