After a few days without wind in the Bays of Huatulco, not even pumping the kites or flying the trainer kite, we decided to go in search of wind to the mythical area La Ventosa and Salina Cruz, Oaxaca.
According to some investigations, research, windsurfers rumors, wind reports and comments from the locals la Ventosa is considered to be one of the windiest locations in the world. It’s famous for the hurricane-winds that lead to rollover heavy vehicles on the highway (video trailer youtube), and the only place in the country where exists a large number of wind energy turbines. (video generadores). Furthermore La Ventosa was supposed to be the place for the ‘world speed record challenge’ on kite sailing in 2007 www.worldspeedsailing.com
I couldn’t imagine the possibility to find so much wind just 120 km from Huatulco. We stopped in a viewpoint after driving about 1 hour and 45 minutes on a winding road, the landscape was completely transformed. The plants and bushes began to come alive, the clouds changed their shape, trees were growing diagonal, the sea reflected a white carpet full of ‘white caps’ and the sand hit our legs. It is an epic spot for kiteboarding, To find this place as a kiteboarder is like a surfer finding the perfect wave.
The strong winds from “La Ventosa’’ (Juchitán de Zaragoza) and the beaches around Salina Cruz, are mainly generated by the ‘Venturi’ effect, between two foothills in the Istmo de Tehuantepec. This area is the narrowest region in Mexico, makes the wind blowing more than 50 knots from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean without any obstacle. Most of the year the wind blows from 20 to 35 knots. The wind goes down on August, September and October.
The kiteboarding conditions are quite extreme due to the offshore and mainly gusty winds, also some spots and lagoons don’t have good launching areas. We suggest these spots only for experienced kiteboarders.
After exploring the area, we found the best spots:
-Playa Azul: wind side offshore, wide open beach, ‘palapas’ to relax and eat. There is a spot with waves for surfing or kitesurfing.
-Playa Brasil: wind offshore, Playa Azul is at the end of this bay, there is a lagoon near the dirt road access. Punta Conejo is a few minutes walking.
-Playa Salinas del Marqués: wind offshore and sideshore, if you go downwind a big dune will catch you. Behind this beach there is a big lagoon with flat water. This is the most visited beach, there are many restaurants. Only 5 minutes from the highway. At the end of the bay there is a great spot for surfing and kitesurfing. (Punta Conejo).
-Playa La Ventosa: Wind sideshore, gusty, risky if you go downwind to some rocks. There is a small lagoon where is possible to kite. Some restaurants on the beach. The beach is not very clean.
Salina Cruz and La Ventosa have unique ecosystems, wide beaches, deserts, cliffs, great surfing waves, dunes, lagoons, cactus and mountains nearby. The closest town (Salina Cruz) has all services, restaurants, hospitals, hotels, bancs, internet, etc.
On the other hand there are many beaches around the Oaxaca State considered to be the best ones in the world for surfing. Puerto Escondido is known as the surf capital in Mexico, its perfect waves attract people from all around the world. Mazunte and Zipolite are alternative beaches where you can find a chill out atmosphere and some spots to surf.
More info and photos in our facebook album ‘La Ventosa’
