Paracas kitesurf: the south wind, Kite Beach and the bay
Paracas, on Peru's south coast, gets wind about 300 days a year. From December to February the south wind builds around midday and peaks mid-afternoon over a shallow bay.
Yes, Paracas is good for kitesurf from December to February. IKSurfMag counts all three months among the windiest of the year and says the wind blows about 300 days a year, except in June and July. The south wind fills in around midday over a shallow bay that suits every level.
Facts as of November 2026, from the sources listed at the end of this page.
When does the wind blow in Paracas?
Mornings are calm. The wind builds around midday, sometimes from 11:00, and peaks around 15:00. On some days it keeps blowing through the night, with peaks of 30 to 40 knots.
| Period | What IKSurfMag says |
|---|---|
| January to May | Among the windiest months |
| June and July | The quiet months |
| August to December | Among the windiest months |
What is Kite Beach like?
The wind comes from the south and blows from the left at Kite Beach. The water is shallow and fairly flat near the sand, with chop right in front of the beach. Further across the bay it is butter flat. There is no shorebreak.
Kite Beach gets crowded with beginners close to shore, so give schools and students room when you launch. The fine sand sticks to kit.
How warm is the water in Paracas?
Between 16 and 22 °C all year, according to IKSurfMag.
Can you windsurf or kayak in Paracas?
Yes. The news agency Andina lists windsurf and kayak among the adventure sports in Paracas. Paracas hosted the windsurfing events of the Lima 2019 Pan American Games. Andina advises checking that any operator you book with is registered with MINCETUR.
How do you get to Paracas?
Lima’s Jorge Chávez airport (LIM) is about 220 km away. Windfinder lists the Capitán FAP Renán Elías Olivera airport at Pisco as the closest, 22.7 km from Paracas.
If you want a reservoir instead of the sea, Puclaro in Chile has a strong summer wind on flat water. More kitesurf spots for the southern summer are on the spots page.
How windy is Paracas 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paracas | 40% | 31% | 23% | 9.3 kn | SSW |
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 Paracas 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 time does the wind start in Paracas?
Mornings are calm. The wind builds around midday, sometimes from 11:00, and peaks around 15:00.
Is Paracas good for beginner kitesurfers?
Yes. The bay is shallow with no shorebreak and suits all levels, though Kite Beach gets crowded with beginners close to shore.
How far is Paracas from Lima?
About 220 km. Lima (LIM) is the main airport; the airport at Pisco is 22.7 km from Paracas.
