São Miguel do Gostoso kitesurf guide: wind, spots and season
São Miguel do Gostoso is in its high wind season from September to February. The south-east trade wind blows over flat sandbar water at Ponta de Santo Cristo and the natural pools of Monte Alegre.
São Miguel do Gostoso is a good choice for kitesurf from December to February. IKSURFMAG puts its high wind season from September to February, with a south-east trade wind of 20 to 25 knots, and lists January and February among the windiest months. Riders of every level kite here, and the local centre also runs windsurf, wing foil, surf and SUP.
Facts as of November 2026, from the sources listed at the end of this page.
Where do you kitesurf in São Miguel do Gostoso?
IKSURFMAG describes four spots:
| Spot | Water | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Ponta de Santo Cristo | Flat sandbar water inside the reef, waves out on the reef | Beginner to advanced |
| Monte Alegre | Flat natural pools at low tide, waves at high tide | Beginner to advanced |
| Tourinhos | Coral and dunes | Only with an instructor |
| Marco | A 30 km downwinder | Riders with good fitness |
Sportif, which runs a windsurf and kitesurf centre in Gostoso, describes a shallow flat-water bay with some swell and waves. It rates its own centre for intermediate and advanced riders.
How strong is the wind from December to February?
The trade wind comes from the south-east. IKSURFMAG calls it cross-onshore from the right; Sportif calls it side-shore from the right.
Kite Jungle counts 31 days with 4 Bft (about 12 knots) or more in December, 30 in January and 27 in February. Its monthly average wind is 14 knots in December and 13 knots in January and February. IKSURFMAG reports 20 to 25 knots in high season, so expect the riding hours to be well above that monthly average.
Is February still windy?
Yes. February is on IKSURFMAG’s list of windiest months, and Kite Jungle’s count only slips to 27 windy days. Sportif gives September to March as the best time, so the season does not stop at the end of February.
Can you ride waves here?
Yes. Waves break on the reef off Ponta de Santo Cristo, and at Monte Alegre at high tide. Sportif adds that in November and December a north swell sometimes brings long wave-riding conditions, which suits surf as well as wave kiting. On flat-water days the bay works for wing foil and windsurf.
What should you watch out for?
Tourinhos has coral and dunes, and IKSURFMAG says to ride it only with an instructor. Monte Alegre has turtles, so give them room. Sportif mentions a slight shorebreak. The Marco downwinder is 30 km long and needs good fitness: plan your pick-up before you leave, and log the run with Waterspeed if you want to see your speed and distance afterwards.
How do you get there?
Fly to Natal (NAT). IKSURFMAG puts the drive at about 1 hour 20 minutes. If you want to compare other spots in Brazil’s north-east for the same months, look at Cumbuco and Jericoacoara in Ceará, or read the kitesurf page.
How windy is São Miguel do Gostoso 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ponta de Santo Cristo, São Miguel do Gostoso | 96% | 77% | 74% | 13 kn | ESE |
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 São Miguel do Gostoso 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 kitesurf season in São Miguel do Gostoso?
IKSURFMAG puts the high wind season from September to February, with January, February and September to December as the windiest months.
Is São Miguel do Gostoso good for beginners?
Yes, at Ponta de Santo Cristo and Monte Alegre, which IKSURFMAG rates beginner to advanced. Tourinhos needs an instructor.
Which airport is closest?
Natal (NAT), about 1 hour 20 minutes by car.