Kitesurfing in Brazil in December: Wind, Conditions & Where to Go

December is one of the most interesting months for a kitesurfing trip to Northeast Brazil.

The main windy season is still running, the trade winds along the Ceará coast remain reliable, the water is warm, and destinations such as Preá, Jericoacoara and Tatajuba are all firmly within their kitesurfing season. December is specifically listed among the windiest high-season months for the Preá and Jericoacoara region.

At the same time, December is different from September or October.

The strongest part of the season is beginning to move toward its later stages, and conditions can gradually become less aggressive than during peak wind months. That can actually make December a particularly attractive choice for riders who want reliable wind without necessarily chasing the strongest conditions of the year.

So, is December a good time to kitesurf in Brazil? For Northeast Brazil — and Ceará in particular — yes.

But where you go still matters.

Yes — as long as you choose the right part of the country.

Brazil is enormous, and there is no single kitesurfing season that applies to the entire coastline.

When kitesurfers talk about the famous Brazilian wind season, they are usually referring to Northeast Brazil, particularly Ceará and the coast around Preá, Jericoacoara, Tatajuba, Ilha do Guajiru and other established kite destinations.

In the Preá/Jericoacoara region, the broader windy season runs approximately from July into the beginning of the following year, with December still considered part of high season.

That makes December very different from the wetter, less reliable months later in the first half of the year.

If the purpose of the trip is kitesurfing, Northeast Brazil remains one of the strongest choices in December.

December is still a windy month on the Ceará coast.

The regional trade-wind system continues to provide predominantly easterly winds, and around Preá and Jericoacoara the typical setup is cross-shore to cross-onshore.

The wind often strengthens through the morning, becoming more established around midday and continuing through the afternoon.

This daily rhythm is one of the reasons Brazil works so well for kite trips.

There is rarely a need to rush onto the water at sunrise. A normal day can start slowly, with the wind building toward the main riding part of the day.

For riders coming from destinations where every session depends on catching a short wind window, that consistency changes the whole rhythm of a kitesurfing holiday.

There isn't one number that describes every December day. Wind strength varies by exact location, weather pattern and time of day.

Around Preá and Jericoacoara, high-season conditions can reach roughly 20–38 knots, with the region recognised as one of the windiest sections of Northeast Brazil.

That does not mean every December afternoon will produce 30+ knots. It means riders should come prepared for genuinely windy conditions while still expecting day-to-day variation.

December also comes later in the season than the famously strong September–October period, so the practical approach is to bring a quiver that covers a range rather than assuming every session will be on the smallest kite in the bag.

For an average-weight rider, 7 m and 9 m kites are particularly useful around Preá during the stronger part of the season. The destination guide for the Preá/Jeri area specifically highlights 7 m and 9 m as commonly used sizes for an approximately 80 kg rider during high season.

But December is a good example of why travelling with only one kite can be limiting.

A larger kite can still be useful when conditions soften, particularly for heavier riders.

The right quiver depends on: rider weight + board + kite model + riding style + exact conditions.

A 55 kg rider and a 90 kg rider should not arrive with the same equipment simply because they are travelling during the same week.

December in Ceará still feels very much like a tropical kitesurfing destination.

Expect warm air, warm water and conditions that generally allow riders to spend long sessions without the heavy wetsuits required in many winter destinations.

For most riders, sun protection becomes a much bigger consideration than staying warm. Several hours of riding under the tropical sun can add up quickly, especially during long downwinders.

A high-SPF sunscreen, UV-protective lycra, hydration and protection from the sun between sessions are essential parts of a December kite trip.

For most riders, a full wetsuit is unnecessary in Northeast Brazil in December. Many people ride in boardshorts or swimwear with a lycra or UV-protective top.

A thin neoprene top can still be useful for riders who get cold easily or plan very long sessions.

But December is not a month when water temperature normally determines whether you can ride.

The bigger challenge is often the opposite: sun exposure and dehydration.

That depends heavily on the spot. This is one of the reasons Ceará is such an interesting kitesurfing destination.

You can ride open-ocean conditions one day and extremely flat water another.

• Preá

Preá is primarily an open-ocean kite spot. Expect chop, small waves and kickers rather than perfectly flat water.

Conditions also change with the tide. Lower tide can produce shallower and smoother sections, while higher tide generally creates more active water. The long sandy coastline and cross to cross-onshore wind make the area particularly attractive for freeride, progression and downwinders.

• Jericoacoara

Jericoacoara is one of Brazil's most famous destinations, but the main village beach is not the obvious everyday kite base that many first-time visitors imagine.

Kitesurfers typically use surrounding areas rather than simply launching directly from the central Jeri beach. This is why many kite-focused travellers choose to stay in Preá and visit Jeri for restaurants, nightlife and evenings instead.

• Tatajuba

Tatajuba offers a very different experience. The area is known for flat and shallow water, with conditions strongly influenced by the tide. Depending on water level, the lagoon can change considerably in size and character.

December remains within the established kite season here too, and Tatajuba is specifically recommended as a December kitesurfing destination.

For riders who want to combine ocean riding with flat-water sessions, it can be an excellent addition to the trip.

There isn't one answer for every rider.

For a first trip to Northeast Brazil, however, the Preá and Jericoacoara region is one of the easiest places to build an entire kitesurfing holiday around.

• Choose Preá if...

Kitesurfing is the main purpose of the trip. You want to wake up close to the kite beach, ride regularly without organising transfers every day and have access to lessons, freeride, downwinders and trips to other spots.

It is particularly good as a home base. You don't have to move every day to find good riding. Instead, you can ride locally and travel when you want something different.

• Choose Jericoacoara if...

You want a broader holiday experience. Jeri has significantly more restaurants, bars, shops and nightlife, while still providing access to the wider kite region. The trade-off is that the best daily kitesurfing is not necessarily directly in front of your accommodation.

• Choose Tatajuba if...

Flat water is a priority. Tatajuba can be particularly interesting for freestyle riders, people working on new tricks and anyone who wants a different experience from the open-ocean conditions around Preá.

Yes — and December is a very good month for it.

A Brazil kite safari is different from a Red Sea kite safari in Egypt. There is no liveaboard yacht.

Instead, the trip moves along the coast, combining road transfers with sessions at different spots and downwinders between locations.

December still sits within the established wind season around Preá and Jericoacoara, making it well suited to this kind of multi-spot trip.

It depends on what you want.

September and October are usually chosen by riders who prioritise the strongest and most reliable wind conditions.

December comes later in the season. There is still plenty of wind, but the trip does not have to be built around finding the absolute maximum wind speed.

That can make December attractive for riders who want a combination of: good wind + warm conditions + downwinders + different kite sizes + a broader travel experience.

Someone whose only goal is to maximise the probability of very strong wind might prefer earlier in the peak season.

Someone who simply wants a highly wind-oriented Brazil holiday can still find December an excellent choice.

This is where December becomes different for reasons that have nothing to do with wind.

Jericoacoara and the surrounding coast are popular Brazilian holiday destinations, so the Christmas and New Year period can be significantly busier than the beginning of the month.

Accommodation becomes more important to organise in advance, particularly if the trip overlaps with the end-of-year holiday period.

For riders whose priority is simply kitesurfing, travelling earlier in December can therefore be particularly attractive.

The wind season is still active without the trip necessarily overlapping with the busiest festive period.

A week is enough for a focused kitesurfing trip.

But if you want to combine Preá, Jeri, lagoons and downwinders without turning every day into a logistical exercise, 10–14 days gives much more freedom.

The advantage of a longer stay isn't simply getting more sessions. It allows you to use the conditions properly.

A particularly good day can be spent riding locally rather than abandoning the spot because the itinerary says you have to leave.

A lighter day can be used for exploring. And longer downwinders can be added when the conditions make sense.

Yes. For anyone looking for warm-water kitesurfing in December, Northeast Brazil deserves to be high on the list.

The Ceará wind season is still active, Preá and Jericoacoara remain within their high season, and the region offers much more than one type of riding.

You can spend one day riding open-ocean chop in Preá, another exploring flat water, and another travelling along the coast on a downwinder.

And that is perhaps the biggest reason to choose Brazil.

December isn't just a month when you can kitesurf here. It is still part of the season when kitesurfing can become the entire journey.

Kite Hub is based in Preá, giving riders direct access to one of the most consistent kite areas on the Ceará coast.

For beginners and progressing riders, December offers the opportunity to train over consecutive windy days rather than waiting for isolated sessions. Explore Kitesurfing Lessons in Preá >

For independent riders, our Brazil Kite Trip combines different spots, downwinders and travelling along the coast. Explore the Kite Hub Brazil Trip >

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