Reliable Caribbean trade winds and really warm clear waters just off mainland Honduras.
Check out the spot with Kitesurf Roatan's video:
THE SET-UP
The eastern side of the island captures the prevailing trade winds, providing solid conditions for all levels of kiter in traffic and obstacle free spots (foilers and beginners will certainly appreciate this). Camp Bay Beach is the main spot, with flat water just upwind of the main zone that is reliable due to the relatively small tides. The beach is quite narrow but there are experienced beach assistants to help ensure everyone has a good time and the Roatan Kitesurf shop / school is at hand, also.
The explorative kiter will want to check out some of the boat-access spots, such as St. Helene. This is the go-to for east and south-easterly winds, particularly if the forecast is looking strong as the water is super-flat. The views here are amazing too - you can take them all in whilst a kite assistant sorts your gear on the boat. Leaving at 8am (wind permitting), Pigeon Cay is a fun day-trip centered around two sessions: flat water in the morning and then boosting in the afternoon after the inclusive lunch. There’s some epic snorkelling to be done too, and you’ll be home in time for some evening fun - what a day!
Waves can be found on the reef at Camp Bay Beach and on the other reefs surrounding the island (Honduras has the second largest barrier reef system in the world) so there really is something for everyone. If you’re staying at Fort Morgan Cay, there’s shallow flat water next to the reef and deeper waters for foiling outside the reef. This is also where you will find larger waves and more challenging conditions. If you get tired of kiting in paradise with your friends, the island staff can also transport you by boat to several other flat water spots or to the north side of Roatan if the wind is blowing from that direction. Experienced instructors are supplied from Kitesurf Roatan and can tailor the private or group lessons to the conditions and the clientele.
The reliable Carribean trade winds blow their best from February to August, offering very consistent conditions. The usual pattern is 3-10 days of wind with one or two days of respite, which is often needed! On the windy days you can expect anything between 15-25 knots, so bring a range of kites and if you’re a beginner prepare yourself for kite-tuition-paradise. The days start steady with a south-easterly breeze that gently swings more northerly as the day progresses. After 3pm the wind increases until sunset, when it will settle down. You could score all sorts of sessions here, from unhooked progression sessions to explorative foiling adventures.
January to April play host to the occasional northerly storms which mix up the trade wind weather patterns. At this time the wind can often swing west for a day before the storm hits, providing epic wave conditions before the storm steals the breeze for a couple of days after it hits.
It’s always warm in and out of the water in Honduras, with most forecasts sitting in the late 20s, so leave your wetsuit at home but maybe pack a rashie. It’s relatively humid too, so being close to (or preferably in the water) is all the more enjoyable.
KITESURF ROATAN is open from December to September and they offer private 1:1 or 2:1 shared lessons using radios, safety boats and the latest equipment from Core Kiteboarding. Everything from 5-17m kites to foilboards are available for hire and there are storage boxes on-site, too.
CAMP BAY LODGE is situated off the beaten kite destination path in an authentic, unspoiled, lush Caribbean setting, enclosed by the Mesoamerican reef system. The hotel is right in front of the spot, literally just a few steps from bed to board. Their mantra is ‘mindful stay’ because of all the beautiful natural surroundings. It’s quite isolated, so grab your groceries en route from the airport in the French Harbour district.
FORT MORGAN CAY Your own all-inclusive private island with 1,000 m² to explore. Situtated on the southern side of Roatan and a five minute boat ride from the mainland, Fort Morgan Cay beats to the sound of its own drum and provides privacy and freedom for its guests. If you’ve got something to celebrate, we can think of no better way of bringing people together to create some stories that you’ll never forget. Accommodates 6-19 people. Rum and pirate stories included.
Camp Bay Beach is the longest natural beach on the island and when it’s calm you’d struggle to find somewhere better to relax; with yoga classes on tap as well as picture perfect snorkelling and swimming conditions. If you’d rather be on top of the water you can hire SUP boards and explore the mangrove canals. The east-end of the island is rich in Pirate history and the surrounding villages are full of life and authentic Latino culture that is indigenous to Honduras. Hondurans love to party and the street festival or carnival is an intrinsic part of life. So for those struggling to adapt to island time, there’s an on-water bar called La Sirena and, for those seeking nightlife, the local Garifuna community in Punta Gorda know how to put on a Dancehall night.
Hiking the Picacho Peak is a good option on a calm day and there are amazing panoramic views of the island at the top. There’s also an abundance of ziplines scattered around the island and if that doesn’t quench your thirst for excitement, you can also hold a sloth...
There’s another way to do Roatan. The Fort Morgan Cay is a private island located in the stunning Port Royal Bay in Roatan’s unspoilt East End. It could be all yours! Nestled between Port Royal National Park and the Marine Reserve, the area offers world-class diving, kitesurfing, sailing, fishing and hiking. On land, Fort Morgan Cay offers 1,000 m² of lounges, shaded terraces and wide sun decks for you to explore - with no neighbours to worry about. The nearest supermarket is an hour’s car ride from Fort Morgan Cay, but there is no reason to shop for groceries as all food is provided and prepared with the freshest local ingredients. Meals are served family style at various locations on the cay, with cuisines and themes to suit.
Already a favourite among the pirates (literally), the ruins of a 300 year old fort and powder keg attest to the rich history of Port Royal and are the perfect backdrop for al fresco dining. The in-house chef will cater to your every whim using fresh and locally sourced ingredients. Should you get peckish, there’s always snacks and fruit on offer throughout the day. Realistically, you need about a month on the island to get through all the activities and excursions on offer, but in a week you could expect to squeeze in some yoga, fishing, sailing and various dance / fireworks shows when you’re not on the water with your favourite kite in the air.
AIRPORT
Juan Manuel Gálvez International Airport - RTB connects non-stop from Miami and Dallas via various airlines. For Fort Morgan Cay, from the international airport Port Royal is less than an hour’s drive away. From there, it is a quick five minute boat ride across the bay to your own private island.
