Galinhos

About This Spot

Galinhos is a car-free fishing-village peninsula ~165 km north of Natal, reached only by beach buggy or boat across the channel from Guamaré — remote, low-infrastructure, and uncrowded compared with Cumbuco or Jericoacoara. The trade-wind season runs roughly July/August through March, building through September; October–December is the money window with wind nearly 100% of days. High season (Jul–Jan) delivers a steady 18–28 kt (gusting 30–35 kt on strong days, 9–12 m kite typical), while Feb–June drops off to 10–18 kt and ~55% reliability. Wind is cross/side-onshore and remarkably steady all day, fading toward sunset. Two riding zones. The ocean beach gives big space to launch and rideable conditions that swing with the tide: flat to moderate chop at low tide and clean, left-to-right aligned waves with flat water in the troughs as the tide fills — good for freeride and learning to ride waves. A long (~5 km) tidal lagoon sits behind the sandspit, butter-flat to lightly choppy depending on tide, reached by a short downwind around the tongue of land or by boat — ideal for beginners, freestyle and tricks in shoulder-deep water. Skill level: genuinely all-levels — flat shallow lagoon for beginners/freestyle, open ocean and the choppier water near the lighthouse for intermediate/advanced. Schools operate locally (e.g. Trust Escola de Kitesurf). Hazards: strong tidal range that exposes shallows/sandbars and shifts the lagoon, tidal current in the channel, the lighthouse-area chop, and the logistical isolation (limited rescue, bring/repair your own gear, downwinders need boat support). Water 26–28°C year-round, no wetsuit needed. Best paired with a NAT-based downwind safari.