El Yaque
Nueva Esparta, Venezuela
Beach breakIntermediate
On Margarita Island off Venezuela's coast, El Yaque is Latin America's premier kitesurfing destination, a flat lagoon with perfect wind where surfers come for the waves on the outer beach and kite culture dominates the scene.
Typical Conditions
The Surf Window
Swell Window
OptimalW (270°)
WindowSSW–NNW (210°–330°)
Size–NE 0.8–1.5m at 8–10s
Wind
Light, under 15 knots
Tide
Mid to high
LowMidHigh
Season
Jul–Sep
JFMAMJJASOND
The Wave
Type
Beach break
Bottom
Sand
Shape
Short peaks on the outer beach
Length
30–60m
Skill Level
- •Who it's for: Beginners to intermediate
- •Why: Modest beach break, the island is primarily a kite and social destination
Hazards
- •Kite surfers in the water, stay aware of traffic
- •The lagoon has shallow sandbanks
- •Very strong trade winds make surface conditions rough most of the year
Local Tips
- •Margarita Island has duty-free shopping, very popular with Venezuelan vacationers
- •Juan Griego on the north coast has bigger waves when north swells arrive
- •The island has good infrastructure relative to mainland Venezuela
Location
11.0667, -63.9667