When you land at the airport in Barbados (there is only one airfield here, given the size of the island), the first question you may be asking could be “where to kitesurf in Barbados?”. The good news is: there are options here! let’s have a look at them together.
The North-East coastline
Barbados is the East-most island in the Caribbean archipelago, so, when you look at the map it’s the one that is the furthest to your right and there is nothing past it going East, all the way across the Atlantic Ocean until you hit Africa. And since trade winds are coming from the East here,
Barbados is being hit the first by the waves from the Atlantic, which is very cool for the classic surfers, this is why the annual international Surf Contest takes place every November at the Soup Bowl, Bathsheba, located on the east coast of the island. By the way, if you go there, remember to check out Round House, a nice view from up there! As to the kitesurfers, wave-riders on surfboards love this spot! But lookout, as there are plenty of rocks, boulders, and coral formations all over this stretch of sand. Cattlewash is a bit up north and has pretty strong swell on a windy day, so, bring a partner, just in case.
Walkers Beach and Morgan Lewis Beach are the next ones up North and have fewer trees and appear to be more flat, and this makes it easier to self-launch and land your kite (BTW, we teach this technique is in our PROGRAM).
The road is going along the shoreline, so, you can park anywhere here. We went here after some small storm and the entire stretch of water was loaded with seaweed, and, as you may know, seaweed is not a friend for the bridal system of your kite, however compact it is, so, do not drop your kite and clean your fins every now and then, and save your foil-board for another day. All this area does not have any reef barrier and waves are crashing straight on-sore. As to the wind, since the dominant direction here is from the East, it’s mostly straight-on-shore or slightly cross-on-shore and you will need to know how to ride upwind to enjoy this North-East coast of the island.
The South-East
Let’s go south from the Round House. This part of Barbados has some coral formations. Some beaches have denser reefs than others. What difference does it make, you may ask? Well, reefs serve as a barrier, keeping oceanic waves away from the shore, making waters calmer by the shore and easier for beginner kitesurfers. Most of the beaches here are private, small, or not easy to access, and are not suitable for kitesurfing. The next kiteable stretch of sand is Foul Bay.
It’s slightly protected by the reef, the bottom is friendly, with no boulders, and very few people visit it, so, you can have it all to yourself. Long Beach is the next one south. This beach is much bigger, no rocks, partially protected by the coral, but it seems that there is always seaweed floating in the water, so, lookout, and find the section that has fewer waves and no seaweed.
Long Beach
We ended up on this Long Beach by accident while looking for the Silver Rock. This beach is really long yet it is empty mainly because of the limited access to it. A swamp creates an inconvenient barrier. And there are no residential houses nearby, so, if you find your way here you may as well have it all to yourself. We came from the South end and parked on a private lot under the trees as it seems that there is no public access here. The central part of this beach is sheltered from crashing waves by the reef, this is why the midsection may look calmer than the ends of this beach.
THE Spot!
The next beach down is the mecca. Kitesurfing mecca that is – Silver Rock Beach. Do not confuse it with Silver Sand Beach, that one is next door. Silver Rock Beach is where kiteboarders congregate and chances are that there always someone available to help you launch your kite.
Locals come over on a weekend and it may get crowded a bit. I counted 48 kites up in the air on Sunday, December 15, this was right before the holiday season. Given the popularity of this spot, you can always count on some support if you lose your board in the middle of the bay.
The village is near this beach and many kiters rent out rooms here to be a walking distance from the launching spot. You won’t even need a car to get to the beach here. Everything is a quick walk away. We drove here, as we were staying on the other side of the island and we needed to park. There is an official recreation area with a parking lot for about twenty cars, but we parked on the side of the road right by the entrance to the beach with no problem. Silver Rock is not that long, so if you still working on your upwind ride be mindful of the downwind drift. There is Silver Sands beach right next door to the rescue if needed, and you can walk back up, but there are rocks from this point downwind and the current here will not be in your favor, so stay close to the shore. Silver Rock is protected by the reef, which is over 1,000 feet offshore but there are some gaps in it and waves do make it to the shore, and often times we witnessed waves crisscrossing and coming onshore at different angles, which may create an element of surprise.
Kitesurfing Schools and rentals in Barbados
There are several kitesurfing schools right on the beach and some instructors from other locations come here as well. Several kite shops are a walk away as well, in case you need a spare part, quick repair, or maybe you want to rent some gear – it’s all available here, just ask around and people will point you in the right direction. By the way, locals are very, very friendly on this island.
Food
Got hungry? Food is right on the beach, it’s not on Google Maps yet (as of this writing) but it’s there and with a gorgeous view! Just walk over to the Northern end of the beach where the rocks are. It will to your left if you are facing the water. And do check out the Surfer’s Bay Beach Bar after your kiting session. There is one thing you should not worry about on Silver Rock – it’s the direction of the wind. Whether it’s North-East, East, or South-East – it’s all good here. Something rare and extraordinary has to happen, like a hurricane, to make the direction of the wind unfavorable at this spot.
A bit further West
There is one more secret spot to kitesurf at – Maxwell Beach. There is a hidden driveway between Sandals and Bougainvillea and you can park there under the trees, some 100 feet from the water. The segment of the beach that does not belong to anybody here is rather small and you should talk to the security guards before you launch your kite and let them know what are you after. At the end of your session, you’ll need to be able to maintain your course, when coming onshore, to come back exactly where you started. Also, there are some jetties in the water and the wind should be South-East-ish for a comfortable smooth ride and to have Dover Beach as a backup if you drift downwind. If the wind is from East or North-East, it will be gusty here, as the air will be crossing a long stretch of land, south from the airport.
Worthing Beach is shallow and has flat waters but there are boats anchored here and this could be a challenge. Also, you’ll need a more Southern wind to have a comfortable ride here.
The Wind Calendar
When is a good time to visit Barbados for kitesurfing? The chance of kiteable wind here is always high, but the official hurricane season here is from June to November. Even though Barbados has not been hit directly by a hurricane in a long time, the rains and unpredictable winds make it less fun to ride. From December to June the chance of a good wind is over 80%, so, this is the time to kite here. Winds are almost always from the East with some minor deviations. You can always check the latest stats on WindFinder.com and Silver Rock
Live Webcams
Live streaming is becoming more and more popular. New webcams are popping up and the old ones are being taken down from the web. Here are a couple of links for you to check out to get a LIVE view of the Silver Rock Beach: LINK-ONE, LINK-TWO.
How safe is Barbados?
We felt pretty safe on this island, and we’ve traveled around Caribbeans and have a lot to compare this island with. Local economy heavily depends on tourism and it seems that everybody knows about this, this is why locals are very friendly, yet not “into your face” like on some other islands.
TheUS Department of Stateadvises its citizens to avoid the following areas: Crab Hill at all times, avoid Nelson and Wellington Streets (located in Bridgetown) at night, use added vigilance while on non-reputable nighttime party cruises.
According to the OSAC 2017 Crime and Safety Report for Barbados and Grenada, in 2016, Barbados had 1,605 drug-related crimes, 1,029 residential burglaries, and 105 vehicle thefts. That is one theft in three days on average (roughly) on the entire island. Looks pretty safe to me, yet be smart about it, stay in the crowded places, lock your car, do not display anything that may attract thieves, have a company with you, the usual stuff.
The Verdict.
I hope that I did shed some light on the question we started with: Where to kitesurf in Barbados? If you are at the point on your kitesurfing path where you are ready to step up from two-dimensional flat waters and go 3D, then Barbados is going to be your playground with a few options to choose from (unlike Aruba). If you are looking for a shallow spot with flat waters you can find plenty of those on the West side of the island, but the wind there is gusty, more turbulent, and off-shore, which is only safe when you have a rescue crew with a boat or a jet-ski because if you drift with the wind away from the island, your next stop could be Grenadines, which is straight west, downwind from Barbados. Oh, and bring a friend or team up with another kiter and have a spotter just in case. It’s safer this way.
Get out there, my friend, have fun and be safe! I’ll see you on the water some day!
FAQs
Where can I kiteboard in Barbados? ›
The Silver Rock spot, on the Silver Rock beach with the same name, right in front of the Silver Point Hotel is the kitesurfing spot in Barbados.
When can you kitesurf in Barbados? ›The windy season runs from November to July, with trade winds ranging between 20-28 knots, with some days coming in at 28-30 knots. The wind blows day and night consistently and typically comes from the east, varying in degrees of north and south, meaning you will enjoy mainly side-onshore conditions.
What are the conditions like to kitesurf in Barbados? ›The windy season runs from November to June when the wind generally blows between 15 – 25 knots. In April and May it is mainly only windy in the morning and the best waves on the south coast are from November to February.
Can you kitesurf in Barbados? ›Barbados Isn't Only Blessed With Its Unique Natural And Cultural Conditions; It Also Has The Most Ideal Kitesurfing Beach Possible. Just A Couple Of Minutes Away From Inchcape; A Gorgeous, Tropical, Mile Long Beach With Slightly Onshore Winds Has All The Requirements For The Ideal Kitesurfing Spot.
How many lessons do you need to kiteboard? ›We generally say it takes a minimum of 9 hours of private lessons to learn the basics of kiteboarding so you have all the skills needed to be 100% on your own. The learning curve will depend on each individual.
How many days does it take to learn kitesurfing? ›The time required for learning the basics of kitesurfing is approximately from 6 to 12 hours. In that light, you can learn to kitesurf in about two- three days' time. Or at least, everything on a basic level can be taught within this time frame.
How many hours does it take to learn kitesurfing? ›Schools often teach lessons in two to three-hour blocks. Learning to kitesurf might take between 6 to 12 hours of lessons – but take this with a grain of salt. It often takes more than 12 hours and it rarely takes less than 6.
Is kitesurfing harder than surfing? ›Many who watch the two sports from the outside tend to think that surfing is the easiest of the two. Both surfing and kitesurfing have a steep learning curve, however instructors generally agree that it takes less time to learn kitesurfing than surfing .
What time of year is best for Barbados? ›The best time to visit Barbados is between January and April when rainfall is at its lowest and there is plenty of sunshine with temperatures around 29 °C.
Is Barbados always windy? ›The windier part of the year lasts for 8.4 months, from November 23 to August 5, with average wind speeds of more than 15.3 miles per hour. The windiest month of the year in Barbados is June, with an average hourly wind speed of 17.6 miles per hour.
Can you kite surf without lessons? ›
Any kitesurfer who respects the sport will agree that beginner lessons are essential. As well as getting you up and riding as soon as possible, a good instructor will furnish you with essential safety know-how and procedures. Without this knowledge, you're a danger to yourself and everyone else on the water and beach.
Do you need to be strong to kiteboard? ›Strength is not the primary requirement for kitesurfing, but having a good level of overall physical fitness and core strength can be helpful in some aspects of the sport.
What is the best wind speed to learn kitesurfing? ›10 to 11 knots - that is the limit between 3 and 4 Beaufort - kitesurfing is basically possible. For beginners, kitesurfing is really fun from about 14 knots (4 Bft.).
How risky is kite surfing? ›With seven injuries per 1,000 hours of physical activity, kiteboarding appears listed as a relatively safe sport, especially when compared to mainstream sports.
Is Barbados good for surfing? ›The south coast of Barbados is the perfect place to stay for Surfers who are looking for good restaurants and popular night life in close proximity to the Surf. The most consistent breaks are South Point and Brandon's. There are other amazing spots, such as Surf Barbados Freights Bay and Accra.
Are there big waves in Barbados? ›If you are visiting Barbados to do some surfing, consider staying at a nearby accommodation on either the East or South coast of the island. Try accommodation on the East Coast to be near to what is considered the top surf spot on the island, with its large and powerful waves.
Does Barbados have big waves? ›Throughout the year Barbados sees waves from between 2 to 6ft around the island, with very clean and glassy conditions early in the mornings – This is the best time to go Surfing. The swell is produced by the North East Trade Winds.
Can older people kiteboard? ›Common Myth: “I am too old or too young to kiteboard.”
There is 100% a safe way to get children out kiteboarding so they can get exposure to the sport. The truth is there is no age restriction to prevent someone from learning and enjoying the sport of kiteboarding.
Myth #3: Lots of broken bones.
The most common injuries were cuts and abrasions (25.4%), followed by contusions (19.8%), joint sprains (17.5%) and muscle sprains (10.2%). There were only 7 (4.0%) fractures reported, including foot, spine, ankle and wrist fractures.
Although you can easily kitesurf without being an athletic person at all, kitesurfing can give you a very intense workout depending on wind and water conditions and on your riding style. It's more a muscular than aerobic kind of workout, heavily exercising your core muscles and lower back, quads and calves.
Is kitesurfing hard on knees? ›
The results showed that many respondents reported injuries, in total 251 injuries to knee (24%), ankle (17%), trunk (16%) and shoulders (10%), often sustained while doing jumps and tricks (40%).
How much do kitesurfing lessons cost? ›Therefore, you can expect to spend more or less $400 to $800 USD on learning to kitesurf depending on how many hours you need. Some schools have a fixed rate for lessons and no matter how many lessons you take, the price stays the same.
How many knots is good for kitesurfing? ›The Magic Number: 12 Knots
As a general rule of thumb, it's fair to say that you can launch a kite with between 5-to-7 knots (5.7-8 mph or 9.2-13 km/h) of wind. However, and ideally, an average rider will need 10 knots (12 mph or 22 km/h) of wind to start flying a kite.
First kitesurfing courses can start as early as 10 years old, it mostly is up to their weight (and motivation!). A kiteboarding lesson can start more or less from 45 kilos ( roughly 99 pounds).
Can you learn to kitesurf in a week? ›There is only one stage, and the basic skills to master. The basic kiteboarding skills can be learned in a week or two and most people will be upwind riding in 6 to 8 weeks.
How many kites do you need for kitesurfing? ›Most riders find that 3 kites is enough to suit all conditions, some choosing even more to increase their wind range further.
Why is kitesurfing so addictive? ›One reason kitesurfing is so addictive is that you will feel a sense of immense personal pride once you have reached a new level; and that new level could not have been reached without a strong will. It will consistently encourage you to push through the discomfort and frustration.
How fast do kite surfers go? ›An average rider on a twin tip would usually cruise at around 15 – 25mph but speeds of up to 35 – 40mph can be achieved in the right conditions.
What is the weight limit for kitesurfing? ›There's no weight limit in kiteboarding. Both heavy-weight and light-weight surfers can enjoy kitesurfing as long as the wind speed is favorable.
What's the cheapest month to go to Barbados? ›Which upcoming date is cheapest to fly to Barbados on? After crunching the numbers on our flight calendar, we found that the cheapest date to fly to Barbados is Sunday, 12 March 2023, – to Bridgetown Airport.
Are there mosquitoes in Barbados? ›
Mosquitoes in Barbados are most active during the day and evenings and as such, the NHS recommends travellers should practice strict mosquito bite avoidance at all times, so travelling with your mosquito protection will be essential.
What is the rainiest month in Barbados? ›The wettest month is September with 60 mm of rain over 5 days.
What to avoid in Barbados? ›Avoid isolated areas, including beaches, particularly after dark. Only use licensed taxis and take particular care at late night street parties, especially during the festival season. Don't carry large amounts of cash or jewellery. If possible, leave valuables and travel documents in a safety deposit box or hotel safe.
Does Barbados have sharks? ›Barbados: Sharks
Occasionally on the island's north and north-east coast a shark (usually a Tiger shark) will be spotted out in the Atlantic Ocean, however most swimming and sea bathing in Barbados is done on the more tranquil west and south coasts.
In fact, Barbados has an overall lower crime rate than the US. Barbados has a large police force for an island of 166 square miles. The violent crime rates in Barbados are typically lower than in the United States.
What is the death loop kitesurfing? ›The death loop occurs when riders don't release their kite or simply don't have a chance to activate the safety mechanism. But why does it happen? One of the most common situations is when the central depower line gets wrapped around the control bar resulting in an uncontrolled kite loop.
Do you need a wetsuit to kitesurf? ›Because regardless of where you kite in the world, a wetsuit is a mandatory piece of equipment for every kitesurfer. Whether you're wearing a wetsuit to keep warm in cold waters or for protection from sun exposure, you need a good wetsuit if you're planning on kiting throughout the year.
Is kite surfing harder than windsurfing? ›Windsurfing, like skiing, is easy to get going on, but more challenging to develop in, whilst kitesurfing, like snowboarding, is trickier to get riding on, but easier to progress in once you start putting in turns and developing a more dynamic ride.
Can you fly away kiteboarding? ›What this means for kiteboarding is that you're more likely to get pulled forwards than upwards. In fact, it is difficult to get pulled straight up and requires skill and technique to jump. With thousands of hours of experience we have never seen anyone get pulled upwards. You will not get blown away!
How do you get in shape for kitesurfing? ›Good fitness is also very important for kitesurfing if you want to stand on the water for a long time. To build up your fitness you have to exercise 2 to 3 times a week for at least 1 hour. You can do this in different ways, for example by going to the gym, running, cycling or even swimming.
Do you need a life jacket for kiteboarding? ›
Lifejackets. A kiteboarder must wear a Type 1, 2 or 3 (Level 100+, Level 50 or level 50S) lifejacket at all times when kiteboarding more than 400m from the shore on enclosed or inland State waters.
Is kitesurfing a good workout? ›The kite is controlled through the control bar, and it cannot only be flown in particular patterns but can even be used to jump high in the air. The sport helps you to have a good workout as the activity burns 500 and 800 calories an hour.
What size kite for beginner kitesurfing? ›With that being said most average sized riders (140-190lbs) would want to start with a 12m kite. This is the standard for most riders. This size will get you out on the water most windy days depending on where you live.
What is a good beginner kite? ›The easiest for a beginner are usually the wave kites. This is because these kites have super good depower, fast relaunch and are very forgiving. Examples of this are the Carbinha Drifter, North Carve, Airush Session and Duotone Neo. These kites are often used by kitesurfing schools to teach.
What are the disadvantages of kite surfing? ›The main disadvantage of kitesurfing is that it's enormously dependent on the right kind of weather conditions, especially in terms of having enough wind. Furthermore, and to practise the sport safely, you need to know how to adapt to the changing weather conditions you're likely to encounter once out on the water.
Can a kite lift you? ›That being said, any kite can lift you off the ground in a gust and some foils over about 5 sq.
Do kite surfers get tangled? ›The Primary Kitesurfing Safety is not without fail.
It is rare but it can happen. If the bar is tangled with the depower line (and/or back line), the bar will be stuck and you won't be able to push it away.
A full kiteboarding package can cost anywhere from $1000 to $3000 depending on size, brand and year. We'll break this article down into what is needed to get out on the water and how to choose your first kiteboarding gear.
Where is the best place to surf in Barbados? ›The most consistent breaks are South Point and Brandon's. There are other amazing spots, such as Surf Barbados Freights Bay and Accra. The Surf in Barbados is usually good for 8 months of the year (November – June).
Can you find shells in Barbados? ›You'll typically find beautiful seashells, sea-fans and driftwood along the beach. Further north is the remote Morgan Lewis beach, a popular spot for horse-riding along the beach.
What month is best to surf Barbados? ›
The best season for Surfing in Barbados is from October to March this is when you can get a solid ground swell along the North and West coasts of the island. These swells produce bigger on shore waves along the East Coast and wrap around the north of the island producing very clean 1-10ft waves along the west coast.
Where to surf Barbados beginners? ›- Dover Beach Surf Break. Located on the south coast of Barbados, Dover Beach is the home of Barry's Surf School. ...
- Freights Bay Surf Break. Freights Bay boasts some of the best lefts on the South coast of the island. ...
- Drill Hall Surf Break. ...
- Pebbles Surf Break. ...
- Parlour Surf Break.
Tourists are allowed to leave Barbados with up to three shells without a CITES permit. As such there is no record of how many shells leave the island.
Which beach is best for shells in Barbados? ›Miami Beach, Christ Church Parish
Also known as Enterprise Beach, this destination is fabulous for shelling. Drive up the narrow road towards South Point Lighthouse, and the beach will be to the west.
Barbados Green Monkeys
All across Barbados you will find this michevious little creatures including in the gullies that run across the island and even in peoples gardens! The green monkeys found in Barbados originally came from Senegal and the Gambia in West Africa approximately 350 years ago.
Many who watch the two sports from the outside tend to think that surfing is the easiest of the two. Both surfing and kitesurfing have a steep learning curve, however instructors generally agree that it takes less time to learn kitesurfing than surfing .
Do you need a helmet for kiteboarding? ›This should be pretty self-explanatory, but the use of a helmet when kiteboarding will ensure that your head (and precious brain!) stays protected at all times.