Kitesurfing in Panama kite Center, Punta Chame, Panama

World • North America •

Panama

Popular Kite Spot

Water type

sea, lagoon

Beach type

sand

Crowd

—

Rider level

all

Tide dependent

—

Waves

none, choppy, small

Overview

Punta Chame receives 15-25 knots of constant wind daily between late November and early May. The perfect months to escape the cold weather in Europe and enjoy your kite adventure. No need to pack your wetsuit either because water temperatures exceed 27ºC. The wind is usually stronger in the mornings and evenings, with lighter winds around noon, which gives you some time for a good lunch and siesta before the afternoon session.

The Kite Spot
The kite spot really is a large bay enclosed by the Punta Chame peninsula and a mountain range on the other side. Constant trade winds from the north blow across the bay, hitting the peninsula in a perfect side-on condition.

There are no rocks or other obstacles in the water, that’s why it’s a great and safe spot for beginners and advanced kiters alike. Since the Pacific has strong tides so the beach is around 200m wide on low tide and nearly disappears at high tide. Therefore, the water conditions are small waves and chop depending on the tide and wind combination.

In 2014 the spot came to fame for the first time when the PKRA held one of their kiteboarding championship stops in Punta Chame. Still, it has not been until recently that European and North American tourists have discovered this gem of a kiteboarding destination.

Let’s get into the details of a very entertaining spot:

Kite Safari – Isla Taborcillo
In the middle of the bay lies John Wayne Island, also known as Isla Taborcillo. The deserted island used to be home to a western-style hotel, which was abandoned a decade ago.

Panama Kite Center will take you there on a trip. We usually pack lunches and a few drinks and head over to explore the small island.

This makes for a nice kite safari, usually taking about 20-30 minutes to get there. Once there you can play in the flat water in front of the island and come back home with an easy downwinder

Kite Trip – Sand Bars
Probably the highlight around Punta Chame is kiting out to one of the many sandbars that form there.

It is your responsability to check whether kitesurfing is allowed at the spot; you might need a 'special permit' or membership from a local kite organization, etc. Local rules can change. Respect others - kiters or not; kite safely and enjoy the wind!