Ilha do Guajiru is in Itarema, on Ceará’s west coast, and has become the reference for flat water. A strip of sand sits offshore like a natural barrier: on the inside, water stays smooth, shallow and turquoise. On the outside, open sea continues for those who want it.
The spot
Between island and beach forms a kind of tidal lagoon, shallow and very flat. It’s the type of spot that makes kitesurfing seem easy: you can stand in most of it, there are no waves and wind comes clean. That’s why it’s a favorite for those practicing freestyle and those taking their first lessons.
Tide changes the navigable area quite a bit. At low tide, some sections get too shallow; at high tide, water advances and the flat area gets bigger. Local schools usually adjust lesson times to the tide table.
For whom
- Beginners: learning with water at knee or waist height is much more relaxed.
- Freestyle: smooth, consistent water in season.
- Those wanting variety: open sea is just next door.
Best season
Season generally runs from July to January, with steadier wind between August and November.
How to get there
Guajiru is a few hours’ drive from Fortaleza and closer to Jericoacoara Airport, in Cruz. Many include Guajiru in a coast trip, between Icaraizinho and Jericoacoara.
Tips
- Pay attention to tide times to catch the flat water.
- Use water-resistant sunscreen: the glare off shallow water burns more.
- Read our article on choosing between flat water and waves.
Wind month by month
Model forecast for the sea off the spot. Data: MET Norway (yr.no), CC BY 4.0.
Average wind between 10:00 and 17:00, when sessions happen, and the share of days with an average of 15 knots or more.
% of days averaging 15 knots or more: <30% 30–54% 55–79% 80%+· Average wind: knots
| — | Average wind (knots) | Days with 15+ knots |
|---|---|---|
| jan | 13.4 | 30% |
| feb | 12.0 | 23% |
| mar | 10.2 | 5% |
| apr | 11.1 | 14% |
| may | 13.8 | 39% |
| jun | 16.0 | 70% |
| jul | 17.2 | 81% |
| aug | 19.1 | 95% |
| sep | 19.8 | 99% |
| oct | 18.5 | 90% |
| nov | 17.1 | 82% |
| dec | 15.9 | 69% |
Source: 10-year history (ERA5) via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0, measured at sea off the spot. This is a climate average, not a forecast. On the beach the wind can differ by a few knots due to thermal and terrain effects. For the coming days, check a forecast such as Windguru or Windfinder.
Photos of the spot
