Cayo-Coco, Cuba:? A Forbidden Kiteboarding Paradise for Some?. By Sylvian Matte

 

I?ve search the Internet and magazines and found very little information about kiteboarding in Cuba.? Therefore, here is some personal information that you may find useful that I experienced during my trip to Cayo-Coco in January 2006 and March 2005.

 

Cayo Coco is located off the north coast of the Ciego de Avila province, in central Cuba. It is 500 km (330 miles) away from Havana and 600 km (400 miles) west from the city of Santiago de Cuba. It is part of the Jardines del Rey archipelago, facing the Bahamas Channel. The key is joined to the island of Cuba by means of a 27-km long (18 miles) road through the sea and it has an extension of 370 sq km (142 sq mi) it can be considered an island.

 

It is flanked by a coral reef which extends 10 km (6.5 miles) and has a abundance diversity of sea species around it. This coralline barrier is the second in extension after the Australian Great Barrier Reef. Depth ranges from 10 to 30 meters (33 to 98 ft.) in its crystalline waters with more than 20 immersion sites.

Its virgin white sanded beaches extend for more than 22 km (14 miles).? On the key, there is an international airport, The ?Jardines del Rey?, which allows straight flights from many major cities

 

 

Today, Cayo Coco is? paradise, relevant for the balance and degree of preservation of the ecosystem it has attained , by protecting its virgin atmosphere isolated from the modern world.? Cayo Coco is a secluded island and there are no locals living near by. There are about ten all-inclusive resorts on the island, other than that, you will find only beaches and vegetation.? The closest city is Moron, which is around 1 hour from Cayo-Coco.? The only night life that you will find is the disco at your or other resorts.

 

 

 

The weather is comfortable all year long with the winter season (December to March) averaging between 20-30 degrees Celsius.? During the winter season (best season) the? wind is pretty strong and consistent, it blows almost every day between 10-20 knots.? The wind is always stronger (15-22 knots) at the end of the afternoon, probably due to thermals.? You should bring a 16m, 12m and a 10m which will cover you most of the day.? The wind blows mostly from the NE or E which gives Cayo-Coco perfect side-onshore or side-shore kiting conditions most of the time.? The water is around 80 Degrees Celsius during the winter season, therefore there is no need for a wetsuit, maybe just a rash guard.

 

 

 

You can kite anywhere in Cayo-Coco or Cayo-Guillermo.? At high tide, the beach can be a little bit narrow, but at low tide, you have endless space to launch.? Just set up your equipment at the end or between the resorts.? There are to many sunbathers in front of the resorts.? I personally like to kite in Cayo-Coco rather that Cayo-Guillermo because you have more space to set up and the wind is more side-onshore, compare to mostly on-shore wind at Cayo-Guillermo.?

 

We stayed at Hotel Playa Coco, near Punta La Jaula and the beach was amazing.? The resort is secluded in a wide (not so deep) bay which makes it flat water condition most of the time.? There are no other hotels near by.? If you want to go to another beach, you can pay 5 Pesos and take the bus to the East Side of Cayo-Coco or you can go to Cayo-Guillermo.

 

 

It is pretty inexpensive for Canadians to go to Cuba.? You can go for one week all-inclusive including airfare departing from Toronto for as little as $1000.00 CAD or less if you book last minute with any travel agency.? If your looking for untouched beaches, warm crystal clear water, good wind, friendly locals and with few kiters (I was the only one), this is the place to go.

 

If you have any problems with your equipment or you want to get lessons, there is a Kite School IKO certified in Cayo-Guillermo beside the Melia Resort.

Name:? The Kiteschool

Website:? www.thekiteschool.com

Email:?? thekiteschool@hotmail.com
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P.S.? Bring extra T-shirts (old or new), kitsurfing magazines, hats or anything else you can find for the locals.? They will really appreciate it!