Discover internationally recognized spots that built the reputation of Ceará as a kitesurf mecca.
With an international airport served daily by TAP, a coastline where the trade winds blow for 6 months of the year, warm tropical waters and an eternal summer, Fortaleza and its surroundings are a chart-topper for kitesurfing, surfing and many other watersports in Brazil. Every year enthusiasts of this discipline are found along the coast in small villages offering an ideal mix of friendly pousadas, perfect kite spots and dream beaches.
Thanks to their presence, you will find on both the west and the east coast, places created by and for kitesurfers. This includes various accommodation options, IKO licensed kitesurf instructors who offer courses in English and very varied spots with vast lagoons of flat water as well as beaches with beautiful waves. Finally, one of the other major interests of the region of Fortaleza is the possibility of a downwind trip along the beaches from one village to another with a 4X4 that accompanies you along the shore.
THE BEST KITESURFING SPOTS AROUND FORTALEZA
CANOA QUEBRADA & PONTAL DE MACEIO, THE SPOTS EAST OF FORTALEZA
Canoa Quebrada and Pontal de Maceio are 2 small fishing villages on the coast, east of Fortaleza. At a 1hr30 (Pontal de Maceio) and 2h15 (Canoa Quebrada) approximate drive from the capital of Ceara and its airport, the 2 villages are 20 minutes from each other via the beaches and a ferry or 45 minutes by road.
The ideal way to reach them is to go via the beaches in 4X4 or buggy. A trip that is done by day and that allows you to take full advantage of the splendor of the local landscape, between fields of dunes and cliffs sculpted by the winds on kilometers of practically deserted beaches. A trip from Fortaleza to Canoa by beach is other worldly!
CANOA QUEBRADA, “FESTA” & MINI-DOWNWIND
Canoa Quebrada, a small village unearthed in the 60s by French New Wave filmmakers, is perched on a beautiful ocher cliff that has gained it its reputation. It offers multiple nightlife options (fairly young population) all along its pedestrian street ‘ Broadway ‘. In addition to kite surfing, you can also practice kayaking and stand-up paddling. On another note, buggy excursions in the surroundings and paragliding above the cliffs are also possible.
In the village you will find many pousadas and restaurants and on the beach several barracas de praia (straw huts) will welcome you to enjoy a cold drink and grilled seafood. The kite spot itself is not renowned but “Canoa” may be a good option if everyone in the group does not practice kite surfing.
Kitesurfing in Canoa Quebrada
The Canoa Quebrada kite spot itself is not a highlight, but it may be a good option if everyone does not practice kite surfing in your group. You can however organize a nice downwind of about 2 hours to Ponta Grossa, a beautiful excursion along ocher cliffs dotted with small canyons about 40 minutes from Canoa.
To know the wind conditions and the tides, you can check and compare with other spots here.
Here is a small video shot in Canoa Quebrada to put you in the mood!
PONTAL DE MACEIO, THE FREE-RIDE SPOT EAST OF FORTALEZA
Nestled in a bend of the coast, the tiny village of Pontal de Maceio is a treasure trove of authenticity with its fishing boats that leave every day to storm the sea and bring back the riches of the ocean. It is here that many kitesurf enthusiasts have settled because, in addition to a magnificent surroundings, the site offers one of the few places of calm water in the region thanks to the cove formed by the coast. Not very developed, Pontal Maceio offers little nightlife and a few restaurants and huts that welcome you to discover the local cuisine. One of its assets is the pousada Vila Selvagem, ideal for stays combining luxury and tranquility.
Kitesurfing in Pontal de Maceio
You can do another downwind by going to the Pontal side of Maceio, but you’ll have to go out far enough because the beach curves here, the downwind is especially interesting for kiting at the mouth of the river Jaguaribe , near Pontal. An excellent spot for lovers of still water and free ride, the place is interesting to revel in various styles of riding and other activities, ideal for travelers wishing to enjoy a kite stay on the east coast of Fortaleza.
A small video excerpt of kite lessons at Pontal de Maceio to get a glimpse of the great local conditions:
KITE ON THE WESTERN COAST OF FORTALEZA
CUMBUCO, THE FIRST SPOT ON THE WEST COAST
Cumbuco 45 minutes from Fortaleza, is an excellent spot versatile enough and ideal for beginners, here begins the west coast of Ceara with more powerful winds. Over the years, the hotel offering has grown and improved in Cumbuco, the attraction of a beach 45 minutes from the airport has stimulated the development of tourism and there are now institutions for all budgets .
There are restaurant options as well as a little nightlife, especially on the weekends. The 2 best accommodation options we know are about 1km before the entrance of the village. The Golfinho, a small hotel by the ocean, offers good value for accommodation close to the water. The Carmel Resort is the latest addition to the high-end establishments in the Fortaleza area. On the beach, it offers beautiful leisure facilities and a modern setting for a stay of true comfort.
Kitesurfing in Cumbuco
The attractiveness of the Cumbuco site is much greater at low tide where it is less choppy and there is even a wave spot on the way to Tabuba. In Cumbuco, you can do a downwind to the lagoon of Cauipe, the place is stunning but avoid the weekend where it can get crowded.
You can of course kite in the lagoon but beware of collisions. Go down to Cauipe and you will easily find buggeiros on the spot to take you back to Cumbuco.
TAIBA, WAVE SPOT & LAGOON TO THE WEST OF FORTALEZA
In Taiba, you are in the postcard of Ceara (even if the wind turbines are a little damaged!) Here accommodation options exist but nothing particularly comfortable to report.
This small village is undeveloped and continues to be a true fishing community typical of Nordeste. The villagers live to the rhythm of the sun and the ocean. Taiba is mostly frequented by the inhabitants of second homes and the fishing community.
Kitesurf in Taiba
Here, there is a long, beautiful beach that surfers and kite surfers have come to love. Ideal for the wave, the wind is fairly often strong and offshore on the Taiba spot. It is therefore to be avoided if one is a beginner but will absolutely delight any fan of big jumps, surfing and electrifying thrills!
Note the possibility of a wonderful downwind towards Paracuru during which you will have a good chance of seeing turtles sticking out of the water! Another asset is Taiba Lagoon, about 2kms to the south. A nice spot for lovers of free ride but also quite busy especially in high season. A versatile spot, interesting to discover on the way to Paracuru.
PARACURU, THE BEST KITE SPOT IN NORDESTE!
Paracuru is a small town 90 km from Fortaleza. It is one of the few points in the region where there are coves lined with rocks and coconut palms. Especially versatile, it’s a bit of a mecca within a mecca, the most popular spot in Nordeste.
There are some options to stay near the lagoon such as the pousada of a French woman who fell in love with the place – Casa Na lagoa offers very pretty little villas for rent ideal for a stopover during our downwind trip for example.
Kitesurfing in Paracuru
The meeting point is the Quebra-Mar hut where most of the kiters leave from. Even if it is rather busy (avoid Sunday in high season) the spot is very attractive especially when the tide goes down. At first you will ride flat water before tackling beautiful waves that you can surf or jump. This is the magic of this ideal spot, it has all types of surface in one place …
On this spot you can go to the right and relax or go back to the left for more! But beware of the fishing traps, these giant nets built at the bottom of the ocean at low tide are ready at high tide to capture both fish and riders!
It is also worth mentioning a beautiful downwind of 2 hours to Lagoinha where you will find a gorgeous and totally deserted beach where you can surf the breaking waves. For experienced kiters, there is the possibility to extend this beautiful downwind from Paracuru to Guajiru via Lagoinha, this trip is spectacular and ideal for those who appreciate good waves (from 2h30 to 3h riding at a leisurely pace).
To follow the weather of Paracuru as if you were there, check here.
GUAJIRU, A GOOD KITESURF SPOT WITH QUALITY ACCOMMODATION
Guajiru is one of our favourite stops halfway to Jericoacoara. This small, isolated and authentic village is home to three pousadas that offer good and comfortable accommodation solutions. With the Rede Beach and Vila Vagalume you will enjoy pretty and comfortable rooms facing the ocean.
The first offers a very local style, while the other offers a little more upscale environment in its suite category, with buildings of 4 rooms ideal when traveling in small groups. The Zorah Beach is a real upmarket and charming property decorated in an Asian style, it offers one of the most beautiful benefits of the Northeast coast with beautiful rooms in bungalows and two absolutely extraordinary villas.
Apart from these few small settlements, Guajiru has remained an authentic fishing village and for the moment tourism has not distorted this haven.
KITESURFING IN GUAJIRU
Besides the beautiful accommodation, the great advantage is that you are directly on the beach, so you do not have to travel to kite, just roll out of bed and go ride! The Rede Beach pousada also has a kite surf school, and offers an area to fold your gear and store it.
The spot is very nice especially at low tide where you have waves that form about 200m from the shore giving you a spot which combines relatively calm waters and waves to surf.
