Welcome to the review of Paracas, Peru, one of the most beautiful and beginner-friendly kitesurfing spots in the world. In this article, I will take you on a journey to explore this amazing location and show you why it’s a must-visit destination for any kitesurfing enthusiast.
Location
This kite spot is situated about 250km south of Lima and is known for its wide sandy beach and consistent thermal-based wind.
The kite spot lies on the border of the Natural Reserve, offering beginner-friendly conditions with no shore break, no currents, a lot of space on the beach, and varying shallow and deep water conditions. Its water level is consistently waist-deep, spanning 50-80m! While you might notice the difference, the spot isn’t tide-dependent. Jellyfish, which follow their own cycle, might be the only inconvenience, sometimes in abundance.
During our stay, the temperatures were very favorable for living there. In November it is around 15-20 C, the further into the Peruvian summer the warmer it is. However, it was never unbearable, which is appreciated. The sun, however, beats down very effectively. Important note: water is cold, so a long wetsuit is needed!
Wind
The wind predominantly blows cross-offshore or side-shore. The kitesurfing high season spans from October to April, delivering 16-25 knots of South and South West winds on about 90% of days. From May to September, the chances of catching wind decrease to 50%-60% of the days.
The wind in Paracas is a result of a thermal effect arising from the temperature difference between the hot air mass above the desert and the cold air mass above the ocean. A standard Peruvian summer day begins with a gentle NorthEast breeze that shifts to the South West. Subsequently, the wind gradually strengthens, peaking between 2 and 4 p.m., with an average of 17-23 knots. Afternoons tend to be gustier, though the wind stabilizes and weakens in the late afternoon, often continuing into the night. While Windguru isn’t applicable here, if the morning is cloudy and accompanied by a Northern breeze, the wind might pick up later in the day.
For me, weighing about 60 kg, the whole day on the water would look like this: first session 11m, then switch to 8m, sunset session again 11m.
Options
Wave riders will find perfect conditions on a kite surf trip to the reserve. For that I recommend KangarooKite – they know all the spots and the reserve as their own backyard. In the reserve, there are numerous spots with varying conditions – a few perfect wave spots, and a flat water Laguna Grande. Depending on the forecast and your choice, it’s an endless wave or freestyle playground.
The water is flat-ish at Paracas kite spot, but you can find butter-flat heaven on the other side of the bay or take a trip to Laguna Grande in the reserve if you are a freestyle committed freak like me. The more wind there is, the more choppy the bay gets.
Since the bay gets deeper after several dozen of meters, this place is very good for kite and wing foiling. Kangaroo offers a jetski rescue service, used also for wingfoil lessons, which enhances their effectiveness. Wingfoiling has a special place in my heart after my time in Peru.
Kiteschool
I spent three and a half months in Paracas as a freelance instructor at KangarooKite School, run by the amazing Agos and Juan. I had an incredible time there. The school is located right at the spot, offering kite, foil, and wing lessons at every level, equipment rentals, and gear storage. The package includes a compressor and showers, providing a complete service. You’ll also find great people and a welcoming expat community, contributing to the fantastic vibe at Kangaroo!
Other shizzle
Aside from kitesurfing, Paracas offers a multitude of alternative activities. Starting with surfing, the whole crew was catching the morning swells in the reserve during at least half of my stay. I even took my first steps into surfing there! When the wind isn’t cooperating – though this is rare – options abound, from boat trips to nearby islands to explore the Natural Reserve, engaging in sandboarding at the oasis, or embarking on a quad/bike tour. Interesting fact – Paracs is one of the places on Earth where the elongated skulls were found. Museo Histórico De Paracas and Museo de Sitio Julio C. Tello de Paracas might be worth visiting to broaden your knowledge about this place’s ancient history. If you’re looking for some nightlife, Waiki on some days, and KOKO at night are two honorable mentions. Numerous possibilities await, although Paracas itself has a laid-back and slow-life vibe. During our long stay, trips to Pisco, a nearby town with a bustling market and shops, were a necessity, offering a change of scenery from time to time.
Around town
There are a lot of accommodation options to fit your budget. Ranging from on-spot hotels to more budget-friendly choices in Paracas town. A moto taxi to the spot costs less than 1 dollar, so no biggy here. For longer stays, considering alternative commuting methods is worthwhile. Remember, Paracas is situated in the desert; all greenery is human-planted and cultivated. Aside from stray dogs, wildlife is scarce. Paracas has very good accessibility and, in our experience, it is quite safe. The place is ideal for those seeking consistent wind, not minding the desert’s expanse, and embracing Paracas’s leisurely ambiance.
Personal point of view
We spent 3,5 months in Paracas. There was a political crisis in mid-December and the tourist flow just collapsed. Traveling was possible, but risky as it goes to roadblocks. It was quite possible to get locked in the middle of nowhere in a bus, no water, no nothing. We did not take any risks and stayed put in the town. During this time, I skipped going to the spot maybe 10 times. 5 of them were no wind days, on the others I decided that rest was more important, or Paracas was blowing above 40 knots. Such wind statistics I call amazing!
The town is in the desert. You need to comprehend this. There are birds, flamingos, sea lions, and some more animals but mostly you will meet jellyfish, dogs, and cockroaches. The town is slow, people are slow, and the vibe is live in few places but mostly sleepy slow. Most energetic are those who visit. During our stay, Paracas was one big construction site. It was noisy, all day, all night. If you look for peace and quiet – go to the reserve. We ate almost all the time in local bars, and street food places, and it was very good. You can go fancy, and everyone says it is amazing, but it depends on your standards.
If you have any questions or comments about kitesurfing in Paracas, please share them in the comments section below.
May the wind be with you.