Sotavento (Risco del Paso)

About This Spot

Sotavento's Risco del Paso sits at the south end of the Sotavento beaches on the Jandia isthmus, ~7 km south of Costa Calma. It is one of the Canaries' most reliable kite spots, driven by accelerated NE trade winds that funnel and turn thermal in summer. WIND/SEASON: Main season May-Sep with ~75-95% wind probability; prevailing N/NW. Typical 20-30 kt, peaking gustier 30-40 kt in Jul-Aug. Shoulder months Mar-Apr and Oct are lighter and more variable; thanks to thermals it can work year-round but winter is inconsistent. Wind is usually light in the morning and fills in around midday/early afternoon. WATER: A tidal lagoon forms behind a sandbar. At/above high tide (roughly +50-60 cm and up) it floods to give wide, shallow, flat-to-slightly-choppy water — ideal for learning and freestyle. The open ocean outside is flat to lightly choppy with small beach-break waves, good for big air. Crucially the lagoon only holds enough water ~2-3 weeks per month around bigger tides; check tide charts before you book/drive, as on low tides it can be near-empty sand. LEVEL: Great for beginners/improvers when the lagoon is full and shallow; advanced riders enjoy flat-water freestyle and big air. Strong gusty summer wind can overpower newer riders. LAUNCH/ACCESS: Park at the sandy lot; ~3 min walk over sand to a big open beach. Kites launch on the left/south; windsurfers use the right — respect the split. Plenty of space. HAZARDS: The defining risk is the wind angle — it is side-offshore to offshore (blows off the left toward open sea). Going outside the lagoon in offshore wind is dangerous; downwind drift heads out to ocean and self-rescue is hard. Wind can jump 10+ kt suddenly. High spring tides submerge gear left on the beach. Gusty thermals, busy in peak summer, and shared with a windsurf scene. Few/no lifeguards — ride with others.