Menorcan winds and local spots
On this page we give you a simple guide to the best places to practice kitesurf. Please be patient if you can't see the images, they won't take long to download...
Map of local spots: A general map of 12 beaches tried and tested by most of the resident riders to date. Not all of them are available to ride in the summer. Without a doubt, Son Bou and Cala Tirant are the preferred spots for most of our riders because of their easy access, security and size of the area. Although Menorca is full of beautiful beaches with crystal clear waters it has harsh learning conditions. In general the island is unspoilt, which is ideal for our kiters who like secluded spots. |  |
Spots:
Each one of the spots with extra information about each. You may click to view the info and enlarge the image.
Seasonal guide:
In this guide there is a little more information about the seasonal possibilities of kitesurfing in Menorca. Regarding the wind, you can generally ride at any time of the year, without concerning yourself with its direction as Menorca is an island, but here we show you which are the most adequate.
Winter:
Kitesurfing in Menorca is considered not to be permited all year round, however, if we apply a bit of our common sense we are still able to practice it all thru out the year. The winter (1st of November - 30th of April) is considered to be the low tourism season, and the island is free of all tourists therefore there is no problem to practice this sport.
Kitesurfing can be practiced in all 12 of the spots at all times as long as you are aware of all safety issues especially respecting any passers by.
Summer:
The summer (1st of May - 31st October) is considered the high tourism season and therefore practicing kite gets very difficult and can even end up in very hefty fines.
You can only practice this sport in all 12 of the spots if you respect the 200 meter distance from the beach and 50 meter from the coast rule. This obviously affects any new learner riders.
The spots marked in green are the recommended sites because there are no “Cruz Roja” lifeguards and no yellow buoy designated swimming areas, however, you must still respect the distance rule mentioned above, only braking this rule for launching and landing the kite.
The spots marked in yellow are the spots that do have a marked swimming area and are full of tourists, therefore the space to set up kitesurf equipment is very small and uncomfortable, so these spots are for the more experienced of our riders given the safety risks envolved.
The spots marked in red are the prohibited ones, the area is patrolled by lifeguards and there is a yellow buoy swimming area. Full of tourists even in bad weather and when the red flag is flying.
 | Map of the winds: The winds are very variable in strength and direction throughout the course of the year. We could say that normally in winter the winds tend to come from the North and the Southwest while in summer the winds oscillate between the Northeast and the South. In terms of strength, most winter winds are strong and gusty winds while the summer winds are mild and moderate. The seasons vary greatly in temperature. |
Sizes recommended of rider 75kg:
Winter: Kite 10m and Board 135 (Standard sizes)
Summer: Kite 15m and Board 140 (Big sizes)
Monthly wind chart:
This chart shows the average breakdown of the winds for the twelve months of the year. The graph shows in red the incoming wind directions, likewise the percentage shows each month's winds of Beaufort 4 (12 knots) or more and finally the average monthly temperature.
Why Menorca?
Menorca is an island that has a great treasure to discover. For residents the world of kite is a very new sport and in the course of time and experience we get some very surprising analysis.
We will pay attention to the following image and analyze the role of seasonal winds of the year. Let us emphasize that when you practice kitesurfing is recommended that the winds come from sea to the land, also in diagonal or parallel to the latter. Remember that normally the summer winds that come from the northeast and the south, is great for the entire Mediterranean coast of the Spanish mainland also the heat that forms in these places, because of the vast arid land without vegetation, which in the case of Menorca doesn't have this luck. In contrast, the winter winds totally the opposite happens, most of the Mediterranean Spanish mainland barely reaches the proper wind direction for this sport, except Tarifa, Denia and the Balearic Islands.
There is a phenomenon that occurs in the Mediterranean Gulf of Lion, located just 300km (186 miles) north of Menorca, where a strong wind originates and spreads towards the south and weakens as it makes its way. Casually that wind crosses the island of Menorca as a whole, very good for riding in the north coast of Menorca like the spot of Cala Tirant in "onshore" (direct wind sea to land). Sometimes the wind makes a slight turn to the southeast and along the south coast of Menorca, resulting in a "side" wind (that is a crosswind parallel to the coast) in the spot of Son Bou, a real treat for the most demanding riders. This event begins towards the month of October and repeats itself continously during the cold winter season with a small break in January. The average cycle is usually every 5 to 10 days and last between 2 to 4 days. Sometimes it is advisable to use the smaller sizes of both board and kite. It is also advisable to use a wetsuit to endure low temperatures, normally between 8ºC and 15ºC (46ºF and 59ºF).
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