Bariloche kitesurf on Lake Nahuel Huapi: summer wind and spots
Summer thermals on Lake Nahuel Huapi average 20 to 30 knots and blow five to seven days a week from November to April. The water stays cold, about 14 °C.
Bariloche is good for kitesurf from December to February if you can handle cold water. Summer thermals on Lake Nahuel Huapi average 20 to 30 knots and blow five to seven days a week from November to April, according to IKSurfMag. The lake is about 14 °C, so riders wear a 4/3 wetsuit even in summer.
Facts as of November 2026, from the sources listed at the end of this page.
When is the wind best in Bariloche?
The season runs from November to April. IKSurfMag names January to April, November and December as the windiest months, so the whole December to February window is in. The tourism board says the wind blows virtually every day.
Most days sit between 20 and 30 knots. Some days reach 35 to 40.
Where can you kitesurf on Lake Nahuel Huapi?
IKSurfMag describes three main spots, each with a different wind angle.
| Spot | Wind at the beach | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Costa Kite | Cross-onshore from the left | Shorebreak |
| Dina Huapi and Nirihuau | Onshore | Nearly flat near shore, suggested for freestyle; a shorebreak at Dina Huapi |
| Peninsula San Pedro | Offshore and gusty | The most challenging spot |
IKSurfMag also mentions Lago Moreno, which gets gusty on cloudy days.
How rough does the lake get?
Below 20 knots the lake is choppy. With more wind, waves of about 1 m break at the shore, and above 30 knots they reach 2 m or more out on the lake. That makes Bariloche closer to small-wave riding than to flat water on the windiest days.
Is Bariloche good for beginners?
The tourism board lists beginner lessons, so a school is the place to start. Leave Peninsula San Pedro for later: an offshore, gusty wind is no place to learn. The onshore wind at Dina Huapi is easier to manage, but mind the shorebreak there and at Costa Kite.
Can you SUP or kayak in Bariloche?
Yes. IKSurfMag lists SUP and kayak on the lake as well as kitesurf.
How do you get to Bariloche?
Fly to San Carlos de Bariloche (BRC). The kite spots are about 25 minutes away by car.
Further north in Argentina, Cuesta del Viento in San Juan is a reservoir with calm mornings and a strong afternoon wind.
How windy is Bariloche 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bariloche, Lake Nahuel Huapi | 45% | 48% | 46% | 9.4 kn | W |
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 Bariloche 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
What wetsuit do you need in Bariloche?
A 4/3 wetsuit, even in summer. The lake is about 14 °C.
Which Bariloche spot is hardest?
Peninsula San Pedro, where the wind is offshore and gusty.
Can you take kitesurf lessons in Bariloche?
Yes. The tourism board lists beginner lessons.
Which airport serves Bariloche?
San Carlos de Bariloche (BRC), about 25 minutes by car from the spots.
