BayAreaKiteboarding.com

Hi all,

I'm trying to plan a low- to moderate-cost kite vacation with the best possible wind consistency for March 18-27. I've been looking at La Ventana, South Padre, and Hatteras. Anyone have any knowledge on where would be the windiest place to go? How about for stuff to do other than kiting?

All tips appreciated!

-Gregg

SPI kinda sucks. The kiting on the Gulf side isn't great (side to offshore wind and very strong rip currents), and while the bay (?) side is nice with butter flat knee to waist deep water forever, the rigging areas are pretty gross. It ranges from polluted, slippery mud to ankle deep stagnant water. They make 3rd ave look like Kanaha in Maui. In addition, the town is really run down and doesn't have a whole lot to offer unless you are a frat boy on spring break. On top of all that, it's not even very cheap.

I have never been to SPI, but recommended it to a friend last spring who was looking for a place to learn around that time or maybe it was April. She got totally skunked and spent the week hanging out in a dive bar. I felt awful! Baja should still be blowing in March, probably through April. I would go to Los Barilles or La Ventana. It's a shorter flight than SPI (direct from SFO or SJC), relatively cheap, and if there's no wind you can snorkel, rent ATVs, and hang out on beautiful beaches. Check out Palapas Ventana and Exotikite.

my experience is that it is too early for both SPI and Hatteras. In addition, I think Easter is 3/27 and you don't want to be there during Spring break...TOO crowded; unless your primary reason for going is to party :)
steve

Maybe PR is still going then? Great place to visit with plenty to do and enjoy if the wind's not up. Cheap to get there on AA through Miami. Waves off the reefs are great.

Can't beat Maui

I have been to Baja many times and March is LATE for wind. I would not bet on it at that point. It could be good, or it could be dead and super HOT. I can't speak from experience on SPI but I think that speaks for itself; no thanks.

Maui is awesome and there are direct flights. Hatteras is super fun and probably cheaper but there are no direct flights and you have a 2-3 hour drive on top of that.

What about Brazil? Longer flights but no jetlag and once you get there it's very reasonable and the conditions are hard to beat unless you are exclusively seeking A+ world class waves. You might also look at Guatemala, Honduras or Panama.