San Carlos

About This Spot

Winter-season flat-water bay on the Sea of Cortez, just west of Guaymas. Primary launch is Playa Los Algodones ("Catch-22" beach), a wide sandy beach with easy road access from San Carlos town; Las Dunas/the estuary works as an alternative at the right tide and is gentler for beginners. Season: roughly October to April/May, driven by NW "El Norte" fronts. Best months are the winter peak, with February the standout (locals say "Febrero Loco") — 20+ windy days possible. Reliability is moderate, not trade-wind consistent: expect 2-3 days a week over 20 kt through mid-season rather than daily wind, so build slack into a trip. Summer is hot and largely windless (off-season). Wind: NW blows side-/side-onshore at the main beaches at ~15-25 kt. It's a thermal-assisted afternoon wind — typically fills late morning to early afternoon, peaks ~3:30-5 pm, and can hold to sunset. Occasional S winds blow early and die by ~1 pm; these tend to be lighter but bring cleaner, longer-period swell. Quiver: 9-12 m covers most days. Water: flat to light chop inside the bay, flattest at Algodones — good for learning, freestyle and cruising. S-wind days add rolling swell with better shape than the local windchop. Skill: genuinely beginner/intermediate friendly thanks to flat water and side-onshore NW. Lessons available locally (Kiteboard School / Sonoran Sport Center). Hazards: cold water in deep winter — sea drops to upper 50s-low 60s°F (Jan-Mar), so bring a 3/2 to 4/3 wetsuit. Afternoon-only wind limits sessions. Watch ATV and beach traffic, plus crowds on weekends and Semana Santa (Easter). Hurricanes can reshape beach/sandbar profiles in early fall; mind shallow tidal flats, the rocky point, and check that S wind isn't offshore at your chosen beach.