Mention Baja California to any kiteboarder and windsurfer in the US and their eyes will lit up right away. Kiteboarding La Paz is indeed a top winter activity with constant winds and warm water. Not Caribbean hot, but enough for great January shorty sessions! What’s not to like?

What started as a small fishing village for years has grown into a premier destination for wind and water activities, with kiteboarding and windsurfing the most popular in the Bay.

With strong side-onshore winds (15-25 knots) blowing consistently between November to April, medium swells on turquoise-blue warm water, a soft sand beach, and a large bay to land over, La Ventana is a fantastic and safe kiteboarding and windsurfing spot.

La Ventana Kiteboarding Spot

We went twice to La Ventana, the first time when kiteboarding was still a new sport. The bay is a great place on the Sea of Cortez, which has recently been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The first time we spent the week at Baja Joe over New Year. I was still learning how to windsurf, and Bruno stood as one of the few kitesurfers on the spot. The second time, we visited as a day trip from La Paz. In both occasions, we rented the equipment from Baja Joe – the first time the windsurf gear and kitesurfing the second.

Kites on La Ventana beach

Kiteboarding La Ventana: Wind Paradise

From a learner perspective, this is a great and safe spot. The side-onshore winds are sure to bring you back to shore no matter what, and the large sandy beach means I knew I would always get back to land. The sandy aspect is reassuring too, as I did not have to fear a hard landing like at Third Avenue or Coyote Point, or even Sherman levees, our traditional sports in the San Francisco Bay Area. In strong winds, though, the swells can be a challenge for beginners or young intermediates. That said, there is always someone on the look out, and ATVs are here to the rescue (and forbidden on the dunes for preservation!).

A safe water entry

As a kitesurfer, Bruno enjoyed the gentle swells, high and constant winds. The rental kite and board took some getting used to, and the staff at Baja Joe were very helpful in ensuring Bruno was set with the right gear size. He was even able to borrow a shorty. He could have borrowed a helmet too, which would have been better and prevent him from losing his sunglasses at the first jump and waves.

Bruno jumping

When I learned windsurfing and first rented the equipment, different sizes of sails were available at all time. With the entrance of the shop right by the water, it was easy to change sails at any time, especially these big sails I used for learning how to waterstart.

Baja Joe Beachfront

Non-Wind Activities

Kayak or dive in the Sea of Cortez which Jacques-Yves Cousteau used to call an aquarium. Swim with whale sharks in the Sea of Cortez. Horseback ride or hike through the desert of cacti. Take Mexican cooking classes. Go on a day trip to La Paz or Todos Santos. Hike to the Sierra Lagunas. Or simply sleep in to recover from the other non-stop windy days. Check our Top Things to Do in La Paz,

When to Go

Kiteboarding La Ventana is best between November and April. The wind is consistent side-onshore, thanks to local thermal winds generated by the nearby desert and northerly winds called El Norte.

Houses in La Ventana Bay

Where to Stay

We stayed at Baja Joe and were very pleased with it. The kiteboarding place offers simple budget rooms with shared bathrooms as well as full-featured rooms facing the ocean. There is a big shared kitchen which allowed us to cook our breakfasts and dinners. Shops are not far away to refill the fridge and pantry.

La Ventana has boomed over the years and offers plenty other lodging options for all tastes and budget, from camping to luxury accommodations. Despite the growth, the coastline remained free of any tall building and seemed to have preserved its low-key charm.

Baja Joe Lodging and Kite Shop

How to Get There

Most people fly to either La Paz 40 minutes to one-hour away or Los Cabos about three-hour away. Driving is relatively safe in that area of Baja California – do check travel warning ahead of time. Try to drive during daylight to avoid roaming cows crossing the small curvy roads. The seasonal RV-owners or local expatriates move from California for the winter and drive the 1,520 km (944 miles) over 18 hours.

Have you been kiteboarding La Ventana before? Any other tips to add? Let us know! For more blog posts on our adventure travel during our round-the-world trip, sign-up to our newsletter and receive the latest articles directly in your mailbox!

Interested in other kitesurfing destinations? Check kiteboarding in Bonaire, top kitesurfing spots in Kalpitiya, and Mannar’s new kite spot.

Kiteboarding Spotlight: La Ventana