Araruama kitesurf guide: flat water on the lagoon at Arubinha
Lagoa de Araruama, in Rio de Janeiro's Região dos Lagos, is a shallow, flat-water kite lagoon. Its season runs from August to February, and January is one of its best months.
Araruama is a good place to kitesurf from December to February. Kiteforum puts the season at Lagoa de Araruama from August to February, calls it an all-year spot, and lists January among the best months. The lagoon is shallow and flat with no waves, so Araruama kitesurf suits beginners as well as experienced riders.
Facts as of November 2026, from the sources listed at the end of this page.
Where do you kite on Lagoa de Araruama?
The kite spot Kiteforum describes is Arubinha, on the lagoon. A sand bar gives it a deep side and a shallow side, which is handy: you can learn and practise where you can stand, and move to deeper water once you are riding. The water is flat with some chop and no waves.
Kiteforum rates it for beginners, intermediates and experts.
How windy is Araruama from December to February?
Kiteforum gives an average of 11 to 18 knots and says the lagoon gets 20 to 24 windy days a month, all year, with more than 11 knots. The best directions are north, north-north-east and north-east.
| Month | In Kiteforum’s season (August to February)? | In its best months? |
|---|---|---|
| December | Yes | No |
| January | Yes | Yes |
| February | Yes | Yes |
Kiteforum’s best months are January to May and August to October, so January and February fall in both lists, and December falls in the season only.
Is February still windy?
Yes, by Kiteforum’s account. February is the last month of its season and one of its best months, and the spot works all year. Wind of 11 to 18 knots on flat water calls for a mid-size or larger kite; check a local forecast for the day.
What should you watch out for?
Kiteforum lists no hazards for Arubinha. That does not mean there are none: ask a local school about launch areas, other lagoon users and the depth over the sand bar before you ride.
How do you get there?
Fly to Rio de Janeiro. Kiteforum describes taking a bus or taxi from the airport to Rio’s bus station, then a bus on to Araruama. Cabo Frio, in the same Região dos Lagos, has ocean beaches with more waves if you want a change from flat water. See the kitesurf page for what Waterspeed records on a lagoon session.
How windy is Araruama from December to February?
Share of days with at least three consecutive daylight hours at 11 knots (4 Beaufort) or more, over the last 10 southern summers (2015/16 to 2024/25).
| December | January | February | Mean daylight wind | Most common direction | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lagoa de Araruama | 30% | 25% | 20% | 7.4 kn | ENE |
Our calculation from NASA POWER hourly wind at 10 m (MERRA-2 model), 09:00 to 18:00 local solar time. The model grid is about 50 km wide, so it smooths out local sea breezes and gusts: use these figures to compare spots and months, and check a local forecast before you go.
Where do people ride at Araruama right now?
Explore+ in the Waterspeed web app shows recent sessions on a map, with sport and top speed, so you can see which spots are working before you go. Open Explore+. To record your own sessions, Waterspeed runs on iPhone, Android, Apple Watch and Wear OS, and syncs Garmin, COROS and Suunto.
FAQ
Is Araruama good for beginners?
Yes. Kiteforum rates the lagoon for beginners, intermediates and experts, and the water is shallow and flat.
Which wind direction works best at Araruama?
North, north-north-east and north-east, according to Kiteforum.
How do you get to Araruama?
Fly to Rio de Janeiro, go by bus or taxi to Rio's bus station, then take a bus on to Araruama.