Kitesurfing in Brazil: the guide to Ceará and Icaraizinho
Steady trade winds, warm water all year and hundreds of kilometres of beach: the Ceará coast is Brazil's busiest kitesurfing destination — kiteboarding, as it is known in the US. This guide gathers what the Cabana do Kite team explains every day in Icaraizinho de Amontada.
Why Ceará is Brazil's kitesurfing destination
Ceará has what a kitesurfer looks for: south-east trade winds, sun on most days and water between 26 °C and 28 °C, which means no wetsuit for the whole season. The coast alternates cross-shore beaches, shallow lagoons and empty stretches where you can ride for kilometres without meeting anyone.
For a beginner, that combination changes everything. Flat, shallow water takes the fear out of the first body drags, steady wind avoids days lost waiting for conditions, and the water temperature lets you stay in for hours without getting cold.
The wind season: July to January
The season starts in July and runs to the end of January. The peak is from August to October, when the wind is strongest and most regular. From February to June there is still wind, but it is irregular: that is the low season, pleasant for quiet days, less suited to learning.
- July: 15–22 knots, start of the season, wind settling in
- August: 22–28 knots, the peak begins
- September: 25–30 knots, the most consistent days of the year
- October: 22–30 knots, last month of the peak
- November: 20–28 knots, excellent for downwinders
- December and January: 18–25 knots, with more holiday traffic
For beginners, 18 to 22 knots is ideal — July, early August and November are usually the best months. Riders who already jump and want freestyle prefer September and October. The full season guide breaks it down month by month.
The main spots on the Ceará coast
Jericoacoara is the best known — and the busiest: developed tourist infrastructure, many schools, high prices and a lot of kites in the air at once. Cumbuco, 30 km from Fortaleza, is practical when you do not want to travel far from the capital, with the Cauipe lagoon for beginners and plenty of traffic in peak months.
Paracuru is a historic Brazilian kite spot, with excellent wind and a strong local community, but less school infrastructure. Icaraizinho de Amontada combines quality wind, a flat shallow lagoon, few people on the water and an IKO certified school with multilingual instructors. See the spot comparison before choosing.
Getting to Ceará
The entry point is Fortaleza, about 200 km from Icaraizinho, roughly 3 hours by car. The page on getting to Icaraizinho from Fortaleza gathers the transfer options and what to arrange before you fly.
Where to stay in Icaraizinho
Pousada País Tropical, our partner, is a few minutes' walk from the beach and from the Cabana, with a pool, breakfast included and packages combining accommodation and lessons. It is the simplest option: wake up, have breakfast and be on the water fifteen minutes later.
Why learn kitesurfing in Icaraizinho
Cabana do Kite is the most experienced kitesurf school in Icaraizinho, and our kiteboarding lessons in Icaraizinho follow the IKO method, with IKO and ABK certified instructors, radio support throughout the session and Duotone and Ozone equipment included. It takes around 12 hours of lessons to ride independently.
The lagoon is 50 cm to 1.2 m deep, flat and free of obstacles: the ideal setting for your first hours. Lessons are taught in Portuguese, English, French and Spanish, and prices are on request — send your level and your dates on WhatsApp.
After the first sessions, the coast opens up: guided downwinders with 4x4 support, trick coaching and wing foil in the bay with Icaraí Wing Academy.
Wing foil, the other way to fly
Beyond kiting, Icaraizinho bay holds one of the best wing foil spots in Brazil. Lessons are taught in partnership with Icaraí Wing Academy, on an exclusive spot in the centre of the bay: calm, protected water, ideal for your first flights.
Wing foil combines an inflatable wing with a foil board that lifts the rider above the water. It is more accessible than kiting, has a surprisingly fast progression curve and suits all ages and levels. Many riders kite in the morning and wing in the afternoon.
What to pack
Equipment is included in the lessons: a right-sized kite, a board suited to your level, vest, helmet and harness, all Duotone and Ozone gear checked every day. If you bring your own equipment, tell us the size of your board bag so we can organise the transfer.
On your side, all you need is swimwear, water-resistant sunscreen and a UV rash vest, recommended but optional. The water sits between 26 °C and 28 °C, so no wetsuit is needed. If you wear contact lenses, bring a spare pair.
Frequently asked questions
Where to learn kitesurfing (kiteboarding) in Ceará?
In Ceará the best-known spots are Jericoacoara, Cumbuco, Paracuru and Icaraizinho de Amontada. For learning, Icaraizinho offers the best conditions: a flat shallow lagoon, few people on the water and the IKO certified Cabana do Kite school with multilingual instructors. The season runs from July to January, peaking August to October, and it takes around 12 hours of lessons to ride independently.
When is the best time to kitesurf in Ceará?
The wind season on the Ceará coast runs from July to January, peaking from August to October, when the wind is strongest and most regular. For first lessons, 18 to 22 knots is ideal, which usually means July, early August and November. From February to June there is still wind, but it is irregular.
Do I need a wetsuit in Brazil?
No. The water in Icaraizinho stays between 26 °C and 28 °C throughout the season, so no wetsuit is needed. A UV rash vest is recommended, especially for long sessions, but it remains optional. What matters is water-resistant sunscreen and, if you wear contact lenses, a spare pair.
Where can I learn kitesurfing in Ceará?
Cabana do Kite teaches kitesurfing in Icaraizinho de Amontada, where the lagoon is 50 cm to 1.2 m deep, flat and free of obstacles. Lessons follow the IKO method, with IKO and ABK certified instructors and radio support throughout the session. It takes around 12 hours of lessons to ride independently.
How much does a kitesurfing lesson cost?
Prices at Cabana do Kite in Icaraizinho are on request. The price depends on the format — private or duo lesson, hour package — and equipment is included in the lessons. Send your level and your dates on WhatsApp (+55 88 98152-1670): we reply quickly and confirm everything in writing.
Do I need to bring my own equipment?
No. Equipment is included in Cabana do Kite lessons: a right-sized kite, a board suited to your level, vest, helmet and harness, with Duotone and Ozone gear checked every day. If you prefer to bring your own, tell us your board bag size for the transfer, and use the storage on the beach.
Ready to ride in Ceará?
Tell us your level, your dates and what you want to do: we build the programme and confirm everything in writing. See also our kitesurfing lessons and the Icaraizinho spots.