Cumbuco kitesurf guide: wind season, Cauípe lagoon and beach
Cumbuco, 30 km from Fortaleza, gets wind almost every day from June to February. Kite the choppy beachfront or the flat Cauípe lagoon about 5 km downwind.
Cumbuco is a reliable kitesurf spot from December to February. MACkite says the wind blows almost every day from June until February, at 15 to 25 knots, and is strongest and most consistent from August to December. The beachfront and the flat Cauípe lagoon suit every level, beginners included.
Facts as of November 2026, from the sources listed at the end of this page.
Where do you kite in Cumbuco?
There are two main places, and most riders use both:
| Spot | Water | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Cumbuco beachfront | Small to large chop, small beach break | All levels, beginners included |
| Cauípe lagoon, about 5 km downwind | Flat water | All levels, beginners included |
The wind comes from the south-east. Wannakitesurf calls it side-onshore and Kite Kahunas calls it cross-shore, and Kite Kahunas says it always comes from that direction. The beach near the village has more obstacles than the open beach, according to MACkite. Windsurf is also practised here.
How windy is Cumbuco from December to February?
MACkite puts the daily wind at 15 to 25 knots, about 19 knots on average. Kite Jungle counts 30 days with 4 Bft (about 12 knots) or more in December, 28 in January and 25 in February, with an average of 11 knots in each month.
Windfinder’s station at Cumbuco gives a much lower yearly average, about 9 knots from the east-south-east. That figure covers every hour of every month from 2006 to 2024, nights and the rainy season included, so it says little about a December afternoon.
Is February still windy?
Mostly, yes. Wannakitesurf puts the season from July to February, and Kite Jungle still counts 25 windy days in February. The season tails off after that: MACkite calls March to May the rainy season.
What should you watch out for?
- Cauípe can get small and crowded in peak season.
- Gear theft has been reported, so do not leave kites and boards on the beach unattended.
- Wannakitesurf mentions a medium current and other water craft.
- Kite Kahunas mentions a small shore dump.
How do you get there?
Fly to Fortaleza (FOR). Cumbuco is about 30 km away, 30 to 60 minutes by taxi or Uber. Further west along the same coast are Taíba and Paracuru, and the kitesurf page covers what Waterspeed records on the water.
How windy is Cumbuco 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cumbuco | 95% | 73% | 54% | 11.8 kn | E |
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 Cumbuco 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 kite in Cumbuco?
August to December, when the wind is strongest and most consistent. It still blows almost every day until February.
Is Cumbuco good for beginners?
Yes. Beginners learn on the beachfront and on the flat Cauípe lagoon.
How far is Cumbuco from Fortaleza airport?
About 30 km, 30 to 60 minutes by taxi or Uber.