Cabo Frio kitesurf guide: Praia do Forte, Foguete and the wind
Cabo Frio's kite beaches, Praia do Forte and Praia do Foguete, get a reliable east to south-east trade wind from October to April. Both suit intermediate and expert riders.
Cabo Frio is a good kitesurf spot from December to February. Kiteforum says Praia do Forte gets an east to south-east trade wind of 16 to 20 knots on most days from October to April, often in the mid to high 20s. Both main kite beaches suit intermediate and expert riders rather than beginners.
Facts as of November 2026, from the sources listed at the end of this page.
Where do you kitesurf in Cabo Frio?
| Beach | Wind | Water | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Praia do Forte | E, ESE, SE trade wind; 16 to 20 knots most days October to April | Small to medium waves | Intermediate, expert |
| Praia do Foguete | Best from the NE, SE also good; 11 to 25 knots, average 15 to 18 | Shallow, chop, small to medium waves | Intermediate, expert |
| Praia das Dunas | Not given | Not given | Used for surf, windsurf, kitesurf and sailing |
Praia das Dunas, according to Viagens e Caminhos, is a beach for surf, windsurf, kitesurf and sailing, but it is dangerous for swimming because of a strong current.
How windy is Cabo Frio from December to February?
Kiteforum says Praia do Foguete averages 3 to 4 windy days a week. At Praia do Forte it gives the best time as October to April and adds that “all year is good”. For both beaches it lists August to December as the best wind months, so December is the strongest of the three summer months by that measure.
Windfinder’s yearly average at Cabo Frio airport, from 2005 to 2026, is about 10 knots from the east, with gusts of 27 knots. That covers every hour of the year, nights included.
Is February still windy?
At Praia do Forte, yes: February is inside Kiteforum’s October to April window of reliable trade wind. It is outside the August to December best months, so expect fewer strong days than in December.
What about kitesurf in Arraial do Cabo?
This guide covers Cabo Frio’s beaches only. Its sources do not describe kitesurf in Arraial do Cabo separately, so check conditions there with a local school before you go.
What should you watch out for?
Currents. Viagens e Caminhos calls Praia do Foguete dangerous because of its currents and Praia das Dunas dangerous for swimming because of a strong current. Both kite beaches are rated intermediate and above: if you are still learning, go with a school, or ride the flat lagoon at Araruama instead.
How do you get there?
Fly to Rio de Janeiro, then take a bus or drive. Kiteforum says buses leave Rio for Cabo Frio every half hour. If you want to compare sessions on both beaches, the kitesurf page shows what Waterspeed records.
How windy is Cabo Frio 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Praia do Foguete, Cabo Frio | 48% | 45% | 38% | 9.1 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 Cabo Frio 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
When is the best time to kitesurf in Cabo Frio?
Kiteforum gives October to April at Praia do Forte, with August to December as the best wind months, and says all year is good.
Is Cabo Frio good for beginners?
Kiteforum rates both Praia do Forte and Praia do Foguete for intermediate and expert riders, so beginners should go with a school.
How do you get to Cabo Frio from Rio?
By bus or car. Buses leave Rio for Cabo Frio every half hour, according to Kiteforum.