Related Posts
The Best Kitesurfing Schools and Gear Rentals on Sal
Given kitesurfing’s popularity on Sal, it’s no surprise that the island has a well-developed network of kite schools and rental centres ready to welcome visitors. Most are concentrated in or around Santa Maria town and at Kite Beach. Whether you’re a total beginner in need of lessons or an expert traveller who didn’t bring gear, you’ll find plenty of options.
Here are some of the notable schools and services.
Mitu & Djo Kite School
It’s arguably Sal’s most famous kitesurf centre, run by local hero and former world champ Mitu Monteiro. Their main base is at Kite Beach (north end), featuring a school, gear rental, and a beach club with food and drinks. Learning from Mitu’s team means benefitting from their deep knowledge of local conditions – many instructors here are home-grown talents. They also have satellite centres in Santa Maria town, located at some of the hotels, for booking and lessons in other sports.
Mitu’s centre is an excellent choice if you want an authentic Cabo Verdean vibe and maybe a chance to meet the legend himself.
Mitu & Djo Water Sports School
- Website: www.mitudjo-watercenter.com
- Location: Kite Beach (Google Maps)
Surf Hub Cabo Verde
Often referred to simply as “Surf Hub,” this is a professional centre on Kite Beach operated by a German-run outfit (KBC). It’s located only about 200 m north of Mitu’s station on the same beach, with a similar setup – they offer IKO-certified lessons at all levels, brand-new rental gear (primarily Airush kites/boards), and even storage lockers for those who bring their own equipment.
Surf Hub/KBC has a reputation for friendly, multilingual instructors and organised services. They also run a kite shop in Santa Maria town for any gear needs.
Surf Hub Cabo Verde
- Website: www.surfhubcapeverde.com
- Location: Kite Beach (Google Maps)
- Office: Santa Maria (Google Maps)
ION Club Santa Maria
A branch of the international Ion Club chain, they operate out of two locations: one on Santa Maria beach (next to the Oasis Atlantico hotel) and one at Ponta Leme. Ion Club focuses on windsurfing, wingfoiling, and kiting. Beginners who sign up for kitesurfing lessons are usually taken by shuttle to Kite Beach, where Ion’s instructors teach in the forgiving shallow bay.
The Ion Club is recognised for its high safety standards, radio helmet coaching, and multilingual instruction. They also rent quality gear (Duotone/Fanatic equipment) and can arrange rescue boat service in Santa Maria if needed. For those staying at certain resorts, the Ion Club’s centre is very conveniently located.
Ion Club Sal – Santa Maria
- Website: www.ion-club.net/santa-maria
- Location: Santa Maria (Google Maps) and Ponta Leme (Google Maps)
Evolution Kite School
Evolution Kite School, set against the glittering backdrop of Sal Island, stands out as a top-tier kitesurfing academy located right on Santa Maria beach, in front of the Riu hotels. The school prides itself on experienced instructors, top-quality equipment and a commitment to safety. Lessons are fully customised—whether you’re a complete beginner or already riding, your tuition is paced to your ability and aspirations. With direct access to crystal-clear waters and reliable wind, the location is ideal: easy to reach, with conditions suited to both novices and advanced kite surfers.
In brief, Evolution Kite School offers a refined and effective way to embrace Sal Island’s world-renowned kitesurfing conditions—perfect for progression with peace of mind and style.
Evolution Kite School
- Website: www.evolutionkiteschool.com
- Location: beachfront of RIU hotels, Santa Maria (Google Maps)
Surf Zone Cabo Verde
Another well-reviewed local school, Surf Zone, has its base near the Santa Maria pier and caters to kiteboarders with lessons and rentals. They often teach in the Santa Maria Bay area for intermediate lessons or refresher courses, and also guide students at Kite Beach, depending on the conditions. This smaller school prides itself on a more personal touch (and they’ve been rated highly by travellers).
Other Schools
There are numerous other kitesurfing schools, such as Kite & Tonic and Cabo Verde Surf & Kite, among others. Santa Maria even has a few surf shops that double as booking centres for freelance instructors.
Prices for lessons are pretty standard across schools. Packages range from €300 to €400 for 6–9 hours of beginner instruction (often split into 2–3 days) with all necessary gear. Rental costs run roughly €70–€80 per day for a complete kite set (or around €250–€300 per week).
Most centres offer newer model kites, twin-tips, and surfboards; if you’re advanced and picky about gear, you might bring your own favourite harness or speciality board, but renting a kite can save you the hassle of airline baggage.
Facilities and safety
At Kite Beach, the primary schools (Mitu’s, Surf Hub, etc.) have rescue boats or jet skis on standby, and there are usually beach assistants to help launch and land kites for a small tip. The kite schools foster a safety-first culture – instructors are generally IKO or VDWS certified, and beginner lessons start with the basics (wind theory, kite control on land, etc.) before moving to the water.
If you’re new, definitely invest in lessons. The constant winds make Sal amazing, but also not forgiving if you lack kite control. Fortunately, the learning conditions at places like Kite Beach – with side-on winds and soft sand – are ideal for progression. Within a few days, many students go from body-dragging to their first water start.
Schools often document your progress, and you might earn an IKO member card, which will help you rent gear elsewhere.
Bringing Own Gear Versus Renting
Travellers who are already proficient in kiting will find that bringing their own gear versus renting is a personal choice. The major hotels in Santa Maria (and even some apartments) are within walking distance of a kite centre or offer storage facilities. If you bring your own kite quiver, a typical Sal quiver might be 7m, 9m, 12m (for an average 75–80 kg rider) to cover the typical wind range. Many visitors simply bring a harness and wetsuit, then rent kites/boards on location to avoid airline fees – the equipment offered is usually current and well-maintained.
Sal’s Kitesurfing Schools: The Summary
In summary, Sal Island is extremely visitor-friendly when it comes to kitesurf services. You can show up as a complete novice and be safely flying a kite within hours under professional guidance. Or arrive as a hardcore kiter with nothing but a rash guard and still score epic sessions using rented top-of-the-line gear. Kitesurfing is king in Sal, and the local schools and shops exist to make your trip easy and fun. Just remember to book lessons or rentals in advance if you’re coming in the busy winter months, and consider travel insurance that covers kitesurfing (for peace of mind). With the proper support, you’ll quickly see why Sal’s kite scene is booming.
Bibliography
- Cape Verde, Sal, Kitesurfing and Wing Guide, Kitesurfing Magazine, February 17, 2024;
- Cabo Verde Travel Guide, Joseph Perfitt, Lucy Pilgrim;
- Sal, Cape Verde: The Ultimate Winter Destination for Watersports, ION Club;
- Kitesurfing in Sal, Cape Verde, Kite Guide, January 6, 2025;
- The ultimate guide to kitesurfing in Sal, Cape Verde, Kiteadvice;
- Surf Hub Cabo Verde – Kitesurf, Wingfoil & Surf School on Sal;
- Sal, Cape Verde school recommendations, Reddit;
- Kitesurf Lessons, Ion Club Sal – Santa Maria;
