Technical details of spot

Spot functioning

Launch from the beach near the ION Club Ponta Leme centre. Watch out for rocks in the launch area — it's easier to launch slightly downwind and tack up to the spot.

Flat water zone: directly in front of the centre. Excellent for windsurfing freestyle, wingfoiling and kitesurf freeride.

Wave zone: further east, when southerly swell runs. Waves of 1–4 metres break cleanly with the offshore wind grooming the faces. Great spot for learning strapless wave riding — more forgiving than Ponta Preta or Ponta Sino.

It's also possible to ride upwind from Santa Maria centre to reach Ponta Leme's wave section, or to ride downwind from Ponta Leme into Santa Maria bay.

Equipment available at the ION Club centre: windsurfing (80–145L boards), wingfoil, SUP. Kitesurf lessons depart from the Santa Maria centre to Kite Beach.

On the water

Two distinct zones: flat water directly in front of the centre (choppy freeride conditions), and wave zone further east when swell runs (1–4m clean waves).

Water temperature 21–27°C depending on season. Shorty or boardshorts usually sufficient; 3/2mm wetsuit for longer winter sessions.

Rocky bottom in places — reef shoes recommended when walking in/out. Crystal-clear water with excellent visibility.

Required level

Intermediate

Spot opening date

Open all year round

Year-round, but the main season runs from November to May/June with the northeast trade winds.

Waves are best when a southerly swell combines with the trade wind season. Flat water conditions are available whenever the wind blows.

Parking

Ponta Leme is located at the east end of Santa Maria, about 10–15 minutes walk from the town centre along the coast.

The ION Club Ponta Leme centre is located next to Restaurant Angulo. If arriving by taxi, ask for Restaurant Angulo as your destination.

From Amílcar Cabral International Airport (SID): ~20 minutes drive south to Santa Maria, then walk east along the coast.

Limited parking near the centre. Most visitors walk from their accommodation in Santa Maria.

Hazards

Cross-offshore wind: the wind blows from land out to sea. You must be able to ride upwind to return safely. Not suitable for beginners riding independently.

Gusty conditions: wind passes over land before reaching the water, making it more gusty and turbulent than at Kite Beach. The first metres from shore can be less windy, with the wind strengthening further out.

Rocky launch area: the launch zone has rocks scattered around. Careful footwork required — reef shoes recommended. It's possible to launch downwind and tack upwind to reach the spot.

Reef: rocky reef bottom, especially in the wave section. Risk of impact at low tide.

Waves: when southerly swell runs, waves of 1–4 metres can break in the area. Be aware of changing conditions.

Wind specificities

The northeast trade wind at Ponta Leme blows cross-offshore, having crossed over the island before reaching the water. This creates several characteristics:

Gustier than Kite Beach: the land mass disrupts the laminar flow, creating turbulence close to shore. Wind tends to be lighter near the beach and stronger further out.

Cleaner wave faces: the offshore component grooms the waves, creating better shaped faces than the onshore-blown chop at Kite Beach. Ideal for learning strapless wave riding.

More constant than Santa Maria town: although gusty, Ponta Leme generally has more consistent wind than the bay directly in front of Santa Maria where buildings create extra turbulence.

Wind strength: 15–25 knots during season (November–May). Kite sizes 8–12m. Wingfoil and windsurf typically 4.0–6.1m sails.

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