Jericoacoara kitesurf guide: where to kite and when
Kite in Jericoacoara means Preá and the lagoons: kites are banned on Jeri's main beach, which is kept for windsurfers. The wind season runs from July to January.
Jericoacoara is a strong choice for kitesurf in December and January, at the end of its July to January wind season, with lighter wind in February. Kiting and kite landing are banned on Jeri’s main beach, which is kept for windsurfers, so kiters ride at nearby Preá and the lagoons.
Facts as of November 2026, from the sources listed at the end of this page.
Where do you kite in Jericoacoara?
| Spot | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Preá | The main kite beach for Jeri: ocean chop, some waves near the beach |
| Guriú lagoon | Flat water |
| Tatajuba lagoon | Flat water |
| Jeri dune spot | Not for beginners (MACkite) |
| Jeri main beach | Windsurf only, no kites |
MACkite rates the area’s spots for all levels, with the dune spot the exception.
How windy is Jericoacoara from December to February?
The wind blows from the east and is side-onshore (Wannakitesurf). Kite Jungle gives a direction of about 85 degrees and counts 30 days with 4 Bft (about 12 knots) or more in December, 26 in January and 19 in February. Its monthly averages are 12, 10 and 9 knots.
Windfinder’s yearly average for Jericoacoara, from 2005 to 2015, is about 11 knots from the east, with gusts of 18 knots. That covers every hour of the year, so session-time wind runs higher.
Is February still windy?
Less so. MACkite and Diário do Nordeste both end the prime season in January, and Kite Jungle’s count drops to 19 windy days in February. Even in season the wind is not guaranteed: Wannakitesurf notes a handful of light-wind days in December and January. If February is your only option, take a bigger kite or plan some lagoon days.
Is Jericoacoara good for windsurfing?
Yes. The main beach is reserved for windsurf, and with kites banned there, windsurfers have it to themselves. MACkite and Diário do Nordeste both list windsurf alongside kitesurf here.
How do you get there?
Jericoacoara Regional Airport (JJD), also called Comte. Ariston Pessoa, is in Cruz, 31 km from Jericoacoara. From Fortaleza it is about 4 hours by private transfer (MACkite). For a quieter base on the same wind, look at Icaraizinho de Amontada to the east or Barra Grande to the west, and see the kitesurf page for what Waterspeed records on the water.
How windy is Jericoacoara 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jericoacoara | 76% | 30% | 15% | 9.7 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 Jericoacoara 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
Can you kitesurf on Jericoacoara's main beach?
No. Kiting and kite landing are banned there; the beach is kept for windsurfers. Kiters ride at Preá and the lagoons.
When is the wind season in Jericoacoara?
July to January, according to MACkite and Diário do Nordeste.
Which airport serves Jericoacoara?
Jericoacoara Regional Airport (JJD) in Cruz, 31 km away. Fortaleza is about 4 hours by private transfer.