Laguna Garzón kitesurf: a flat lagoon near José Ignacio
Laguna Garzón, a shallow lagoon between Maldonado and Rocha in Uruguay, is in its kite peak season from November to February. The water is flat and the wind light to medium.
Laguna Garzón is good for kitesurf from December to February, which falls in Uruguay’s November to February peak season. The lagoon is shallow and flat, so it suits every level. The wind is light to medium, though: Kite Jungle puts the average at about 9 to 10 knots.
Facts as of November 2026, from the sources listed at the end of this page.
When is the kitesurf season at Laguna Garzón?
| Source | Season |
|---|---|
| Kite Jungle, Laguna Garzón page | High season October to March |
| Kite Jungle, Uruguay page | October to April, peak November to February |
The whole December to February window is in the high season.
What is the wind like?
Kite Jungle describes it as light to medium, with an average of about 9 to 10 knots. Across Uruguay, the most consistent wind comes mainly from the south-south-east and is called the Sudestada.
What is the water like?
The lagoon is shallow and flat. Kite Jungle rates it for all levels, and schools work on site. On the other side of the dunes is the open ocean, with waves. Windsurf is practised in the Punta del Este area too, as La Voz de San Justo reports, alongside kitesurf.
Are there rules for kiting at Laguna Garzón?
Yes. Uruguay’s tourism ministry has set zones where kiting is allowed. In March 2022, the newspaper La Mañana reported that Laguna Garzón was capped at 30 kites. Kite Jungle advises checking whether you need a permit. These rules may have changed since 2022, so check them locally before you ride.
La Mañana also notes that riders use José Ignacio in summer.
How do you get to Laguna Garzón?
Fly to Punta del Este’s Laguna del Sauce airport (PDP), officially Capitán de Corbeta Carlos A. Curbelo International. Windfinder puts it about 49 km from the lagoon.
For stronger wind in South America’s summer, see Cuesta del Viento in Argentina or Paracas in Peru.
How windy is Laguna Garzón 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laguna Garzón | 69% | 71% | 65% | 11.6 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 Laguna Garzón 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 Laguna Garzón good for beginners?
Yes. The lagoon is shallow and flat, Kite Jungle rates it for all levels, and there are schools on site.
How strong is the wind at Laguna Garzón?
Light to medium. Kite Jungle puts the average at about 9 to 10 knots.
Is there a limit on kites at Laguna Garzón?
In March 2022 La Mañana reported a cap of 30 kites, inside kiting zones set by the tourism ministry. Check the current rules locally.
