Where to Kitesurf for New Year: 6 Best Destinations
Most people choose where to spend New Year based on beaches, weather, nightlife or how far they want to travel.
Kitesurfers have one more question: Will there actually be wind?
Because a tropical beach doesn't automatically make a good kite destination — especially at the end of December, when some of the world's most famous spots are completely out of season.
If you'd rather start January with a kite session than spend the first day of the year waiting for wind, choosing the right destination matters.
From the trade winds of Northeast Brazil to the strong summer conditions around Cape Town, these are some of the best places to spend New Year if kitesurfing is part of the plan.
Kitesurfers have one more question: Will there actually be wind?
Because a tropical beach doesn't automatically make a good kite destination — especially at the end of December, when some of the world's most famous spots are completely out of season.
If you'd rather start January with a kite session than spend the first day of the year waiting for wind, choosing the right destination matters.
From the trade winds of Northeast Brazil to the strong summer conditions around Cape Town, these are some of the best places to spend New Year if kitesurfing is part of the plan.
1. Preá & Jericoacoara, Brazil
For a combination of warm weather, strong wind, downwinders and a real New Year atmosphere, Northeast Brazil is difficult to beat.
The Ceará coast has one of the longest and most reliable kitesurfing seasons in the world. By late December, the region is past the strongest part of the season, but places such as Preá and Jericoacoara can still deliver very good riding conditions.
Preá is the more kite-focused base. The village sits directly on a long open-ocean kite beach, making it easy to build the day around riding rather than transfers. Expect warm water, strong wind, ocean chop and plenty of space.
Jericoacoara — usually called Jeri — offers the other half of the experience.
It has restaurants, bars, beach parties and a much stronger nightlife scene, making it particularly attractive around New Year.
And because Preá and Jeri are close to each other, you don't necessarily have to choose between them.
Ride in Preá. Spend New Year's Eve in Jeri.
The wider region also gives independent riders access to lagoons and some of Brazil's famous coastal downwinders, so the trip can involve much more than riding in front of the same beach every day.
Best for: warm-water freeride, downwinders, kite trips and riders who want a proper New Year celebration after the session.
The Ceará coast has one of the longest and most reliable kitesurfing seasons in the world. By late December, the region is past the strongest part of the season, but places such as Preá and Jericoacoara can still deliver very good riding conditions.
Preá is the more kite-focused base. The village sits directly on a long open-ocean kite beach, making it easy to build the day around riding rather than transfers. Expect warm water, strong wind, ocean chop and plenty of space.
Jericoacoara — usually called Jeri — offers the other half of the experience.
It has restaurants, bars, beach parties and a much stronger nightlife scene, making it particularly attractive around New Year.
And because Preá and Jeri are close to each other, you don't necessarily have to choose between them.
Ride in Preá. Spend New Year's Eve in Jeri.
The wider region also gives independent riders access to lagoons and some of Brazil's famous coastal downwinders, so the trip can involve much more than riding in front of the same beach every day.
Best for: warm-water freeride, downwinders, kite trips and riders who want a proper New Year celebration after the session.
2. Phan Rang, Vietnam
Vietnam is one of the more interesting alternatives for riders looking for strong wind over New Year.
The main kitesurfing season around Phan Rang runs through the Northern Hemisphere winter, putting late December and early January right in the useful part of the season.
The area is known for strong wind, warm temperatures and a mixture of riding conditions. Depending on the spot and tide, riders can find flatter water, chop and reef conditions.
Compared with some of the world's better-known kite destinations, Phan Rang can also feel much less polished.
And that is part of its appeal.
This isn't necessarily the destination for someone looking for luxury beach clubs and a huge New Year's Eve party. It is much more interesting for someone whose priority is: wake up → check the wind → ride → eat → ride again.
Strong conditions also mean choosing the right spot and equipment matters, particularly for less experienced riders.
Best for: riders prioritising wind, warm weather and lots of water time over nightlife.
The main kitesurfing season around Phan Rang runs through the Northern Hemisphere winter, putting late December and early January right in the useful part of the season.
The area is known for strong wind, warm temperatures and a mixture of riding conditions. Depending on the spot and tide, riders can find flatter water, chop and reef conditions.
Compared with some of the world's better-known kite destinations, Phan Rang can also feel much less polished.
And that is part of its appeal.
This isn't necessarily the destination for someone looking for luxury beach clubs and a huge New Year's Eve party. It is much more interesting for someone whose priority is: wake up → check the wind → ride → eat → ride again.
Strong conditions also mean choosing the right spot and equipment matters, particularly for less experienced riders.
Best for: riders prioritising wind, warm weather and lots of water time over nightlife.
3. Cape Town, South Africa
If the goal is to start the year somewhere iconic, Cape Town belongs on the list.
December and January fall directly within the city's famous summer wind season.
The strong southeasterly wind — often referred to as the Cape Doctor — is what has turned the area into one of the world's most recognisable destinations for Big Air and powered riding.
But Cape Town needs an important disclaimer. It is not a beginner paradise.
Strong wind, waves, cold Atlantic water and demanding ocean conditions can make the famous spots challenging. For experienced riders, however, that challenge is exactly the attraction.
Watching advanced and professional riders on the water around spots such as Blouberg can be almost as memorable as riding yourself.
Cape Town also works exceptionally well as a destination outside kitesurfing. Restaurants, wine regions, mountains, beaches and a major city nightlife scene mean there is no shortage of things to do if the wind takes a break.
And for New Year, that matters.
Best for: experienced riders, Big Air, waves and anyone who wants to combine serious kitesurfing with a major city trip.
December and January fall directly within the city's famous summer wind season.
The strong southeasterly wind — often referred to as the Cape Doctor — is what has turned the area into one of the world's most recognisable destinations for Big Air and powered riding.
But Cape Town needs an important disclaimer. It is not a beginner paradise.
Strong wind, waves, cold Atlantic water and demanding ocean conditions can make the famous spots challenging. For experienced riders, however, that challenge is exactly the attraction.
Watching advanced and professional riders on the water around spots such as Blouberg can be almost as memorable as riding yourself.
Cape Town also works exceptionally well as a destination outside kitesurfing. Restaurants, wine regions, mountains, beaches and a major city nightlife scene mean there is no shortage of things to do if the wind takes a break.
And for New Year, that matters.
Best for: experienced riders, Big Air, waves and anyone who wants to combine serious kitesurfing with a major city trip.
4. Sal, Cape Verde
Cape Verde's wind season is getting underway by New Year, making Sal another strong winter option. The island attracts riders for its trade winds, warm climate and mixture of freeride and wave conditions.
But Sal is particularly interesting for riders who want to move beyond flat-water cruising.
The famous wave spots can deliver very different riding from the lagoons and shallow-water locations many travellers associate with a tropical kite holiday.
That also means spot choice matters.
Not every location is appropriate for every level, and riders who are still developing their independent skills should choose where they ride carefully rather than assuming the entire island offers easy conditions.
For confident intermediate and advanced riders, however, Cape Verde can offer a great combination of winter sun and more technical riding.
Best for: intermediate and advanced riders, wave riding and winter sun.
But Sal is particularly interesting for riders who want to move beyond flat-water cruising.
The famous wave spots can deliver very different riding from the lagoons and shallow-water locations many travellers associate with a tropical kite holiday.
That also means spot choice matters.
Not every location is appropriate for every level, and riders who are still developing their independent skills should choose where they ride carefully rather than assuming the entire island offers easy conditions.
For confident intermediate and advanced riders, however, Cape Verde can offer a great combination of winter sun and more technical riding.
Best for: intermediate and advanced riders, wave riding and winter sun.
5. Cabarete, Dominican Republic
For a more Caribbean version of New Year, Cabarete is an obvious candidate.
Unlike destinations built almost entirely around one sport, Cabarete has a long-established mix of kitesurfing, surfing, restaurants, bars and nightlife.
That makes it particularly appealing to groups where not everyone wants the entire holiday to revolve around kite sessions.
The water stays warm and there are different riding areas around the destination, allowing riders to combine kitesurfing with a more traditional tropical holiday. The compromise is wind reliability.
Winter can produce rideable conditions, but New Year isn't necessarily the period to choose if the only objective is maximising the probability of strong wind every day.
So Cabarete makes more sense when the priorities are: Caribbean holiday + kitesurfing + nightlife
rather than: maximum wind at all costs.
Best for: mixed holidays, warm water, couples or groups and riders who want nightlife alongside kitesurfing.
Unlike destinations built almost entirely around one sport, Cabarete has a long-established mix of kitesurfing, surfing, restaurants, bars and nightlife.
That makes it particularly appealing to groups where not everyone wants the entire holiday to revolve around kite sessions.
The water stays warm and there are different riding areas around the destination, allowing riders to combine kitesurfing with a more traditional tropical holiday. The compromise is wind reliability.
Winter can produce rideable conditions, but New Year isn't necessarily the period to choose if the only objective is maximising the probability of strong wind every day.
So Cabarete makes more sense when the priorities are: Caribbean holiday + kitesurfing + nightlife
rather than: maximum wind at all costs.
Best for: mixed holidays, warm water, couples or groups and riders who want nightlife alongside kitesurfing.
6. Red Sea, Egypt
Egypt might seem like an obvious addition to any list of kitesurfing destinations. But New Year requires some honesty.
Winter is not the strongest or most reliable wind period on the Red Sea.
It is still possible to ride, and destinations around Hurghada and El Gouna can get good winter wind days, but conditions are generally less predictable than during the stronger part of the season.
Temperatures are also much cooler than in summer.
That doesn't make Egypt a bad New Year destination. It simply changes the reason for choosing it.
If you want relatively easy access from Europe, sunshine, a resort holiday and the possibility of kitesurfing when conditions cooperate, Egypt can still make sense.
If the entire trip depends on riding every day, other destinations on this list offer a stronger seasonal argument.
Being realistic about that distinction is important.
Best for: easy winter escapes from Europe and travellers who want kitesurfing to be part of the holiday rather than the only purpose of it.
Winter is not the strongest or most reliable wind period on the Red Sea.
It is still possible to ride, and destinations around Hurghada and El Gouna can get good winter wind days, but conditions are generally less predictable than during the stronger part of the season.
Temperatures are also much cooler than in summer.
That doesn't make Egypt a bad New Year destination. It simply changes the reason for choosing it.
If you want relatively easy access from Europe, sunshine, a resort holiday and the possibility of kitesurfing when conditions cooperate, Egypt can still make sense.
If the entire trip depends on riding every day, other destinations on this list offer a stronger seasonal argument.
Being realistic about that distinction is important.
Best for: easy winter escapes from Europe and travellers who want kitesurfing to be part of the holiday rather than the only purpose of it.
Best New Year Kitesurfing Destinations Compared
These ratings are deliberately approximate. Wind is weather, not a schedule, and no destination can guarantee rideable conditions for a particular New Year week.
What matters is choosing a destination where the seasonal probability matches the kind of trip you want.
What matters is choosing a destination where the seasonal probability matches the kind of trip you want.
Where Should Beginners Go for New Year?
The windiest destination isn't automatically the best destination for learning. In fact, it can be the opposite.
Very strong wind, waves and difficult launches add unnecessary complexity when someone is still working on kite control, water starts and riding upwind.
For beginners, the quality of the training environment matters more than finding the strongest wind statistics.
Brazil can work particularly well because riders can base themselves in Preá and build consecutive training days around the conditions.
If you're not yet riding independently, kitesurfing lessons in Preá can be a better starting point than jumping straight into downwinders or travelling between advanced spots.
Cape Town, on the other hand, would not be the first choice for someone whose main goal is learning from zero.
Very strong wind, waves and difficult launches add unnecessary complexity when someone is still working on kite control, water starts and riding upwind.
For beginners, the quality of the training environment matters more than finding the strongest wind statistics.
Brazil can work particularly well because riders can base themselves in Preá and build consecutive training days around the conditions.
If you're not yet riding independently, kitesurfing lessons in Preá can be a better starting point than jumping straight into downwinders or travelling between advanced spots.
Cape Town, on the other hand, would not be the first choice for someone whose main goal is learning from zero.
Where Should Advanced Riders Go?
For experienced riders, the decision becomes much more interesting.
The Ceará coast allows independent riders to connect different locations through downwinders.
That changes the purpose of the session. You're not simply riding for two hours. You're travelling.
- Cape Town stands out for powered riding, waves and Big Air.
- Cape Verde is attractive for riders interested in waves.
- Phan Rang makes sense if wind consistency and maximum water time are the priorities.
The Ceará coast allows independent riders to connect different locations through downwinders.
That changes the purpose of the session. You're not simply riding for two hours. You're travelling.
Where Is the Warmest New Year Kite Trip?
If escaping winter is part of the goal, Brazil, Vietnam and the Caribbean are the obvious choices on this list.
Cape Town has warm summer weather on land, but the Atlantic water is considerably cooler.
Cape Verde sits somewhere in between.
Egypt can be sunny and pleasant during the day, but winter evenings and water conditions are noticeably cooler than its summer season.
So if your definition of a New Year kite trip includes riding without thinking too much about neoprene, Northeast Brazil and Southeast Asia have a clear advantage.
Cape Town has warm summer weather on land, but the Atlantic water is considerably cooler.
Cape Verde sits somewhere in between.
Egypt can be sunny and pleasant during the day, but winter evenings and water conditions are noticeably cooler than its summer season.
So if your definition of a New Year kite trip includes riding without thinking too much about neoprene, Northeast Brazil and Southeast Asia have a clear advantage.
Where Has the Best New Year Atmosphere?
This depends on what you mean by atmosphere.
Cape Town offers a major city celebration. Cabarete combines Caribbean beach life with bars and nightlife.
Jericoacoara provides something particularly appealing for a kite trip: a small beach destination that can feel completely focused on wind during the day and completely focused on celebrating once the sun goes down.
This is where the Preá + Jeri combination becomes particularly strong. You don't necessarily need your best kite spot and your New Year's Eve party to be on the same beach.
Ride in Preá. Celebrate in Jeri. Ride again when the new year starts.
Cape Town offers a major city celebration. Cabarete combines Caribbean beach life with bars and nightlife.
Jericoacoara provides something particularly appealing for a kite trip: a small beach destination that can feel completely focused on wind during the day and completely focused on celebrating once the sun goes down.
This is where the Preá + Jeri combination becomes particularly strong. You don't necessarily need your best kite spot and your New Year's Eve party to be on the same beach.
Ride in Preá. Celebrate in Jeri. Ride again when the new year starts.
So, Where Should a Kitesurfer Spend New Year?
There isn't one destination that wins every category.
Want the strongest wind?
Cape Town or Phan Rang.
Want warm water?
Brazil, Vietnam or the Caribbean.
Want waves?
Cape Town or Cape Verde.
Want downwinders?
Brazil.
Want a relaxed Caribbean holiday with some kiting?
Cabarete.
Want an easy escape from Europe where kiting is a bonus?
Egypt.
Want warm weather, good wind, downwinders and a proper New Year atmosphere in the same trip?
Preá and Jericoacoara make a very strong case.
And that is perhaps the best way to choose.
Don't ask only: Where will it be windy?
Ask: What do I want the rest of the trip to look like once I land the kite?
Want the strongest wind?
Cape Town or Phan Rang.
Want warm water?
Brazil, Vietnam or the Caribbean.
Want waves?
Cape Town or Cape Verde.
Want downwinders?
Brazil.
Want a relaxed Caribbean holiday with some kiting?
Cabarete.
Want an easy escape from Europe where kiting is a bonus?
Egypt.
Want warm weather, good wind, downwinders and a proper New Year atmosphere in the same trip?
Preá and Jericoacoara make a very strong case.
And that is perhaps the best way to choose.
Don't ask only: Where will it be windy?
Ask: What do I want the rest of the trip to look like once I land the kite?
Spending New Year in Brazil?
For riders who are already independent, Northeast Brazil offers much more than a week of sessions at one beach. Different spots, lagoons and long coastal downwinders can turn the trip into a journey through Ceará. Explore the Kite Hub Brazil Trip >
If you're still learning, Preá can instead become a base for building the skills you need to ride independently: Explore kitesurfing lessons in Preá >
What to Read Next?
If you're still learning, Preá can instead become a base for building the skills you need to ride independently: Explore kitesurfing lessons in Preá >
What to Read Next?
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See you on the water!