La Ventana

About This Spot

La Ventana is Baja's most reliable winter thermal/Venturi spot, on Bahía de la Ventana facing Isla Cerralvo, ~40 min south of La Paz. The kiting zone stretches along the east-facing shore from El Sargento (north) through Playa Central/La Ventana campground down to Las Palmas. SEASON: wind blows mid-October to April, most reliable Nov–Mar (roughly 70–95% wind days in Dec–Mar; Feb can have a brief lull). Off-season May/Oct are hit-or-miss; summer is essentially flat. WIND: comes from N/NW/NNW, funneled and accelerated between Baja's ranges and Cerralvo (Venturi) plus daily thermal, so it usually over-delivers vs forecast. Thermal builds around noon and peaks early-to-mid afternoon into evening — mornings are often calm. Typical 15–25 kt (9–12m weather), gusting 30+. Periodic 'El Norte' high-pressure events bring gusty, colder 20–35 kt for days at a time. Direction is side/side-onshore, so a downed kite drifts toward shore. WATER: bay is chop with small wind-swell/kickers (0.5–1.5 m) on windy days — not a true flatwater lagoon; no large standing shallows (chest-to-head depth for ~50 m then deep). SKILL: good for all levels — beginners ride the forgiving side-shore sections at Playa Central/campground; intermediate/advanced get chop and small waves further out and downwinders. WATER TEMP ~21°C/70°F midwinter — wear a 3/2 (or 4/3 in El Norte). HAZARDS: rocks, coral patches and sea urchins along parts of the beach (booties recommended); reefs close to shore at the north and south ends of several beaches (foilers cautious at low tide). Wind shadows behind points/buildings in spots; active boat-launch and roadside parking at Playa make it congested. It gets crowded in peak season with a large, friendly international crew. Access is easy at central beaches (2WD ok on hard-pack); northern launches (North Arroyo, Hot Springs) are 4WD, advanced-only, with rocky entries — avoid trespassing on private land.