Matanzas Beach / Matanzas / Cuba

Right on the edge of the city of Matanzas, this spot is at the head of a sheltered bay that seems to miss out on the best of the wind and the currents.  For that reason it is a good spot for beginners and intermediates, but kitesurfers and windsurfers with a lot of experience will probably find the place to be a bit tame for them.

The beach is decent size, and consists of a good sandy area with a wider grass strip behind it that can be used for rigging.  It can get fairly busy as it is a popular spot for people from the city, but you should still have room to launch and land safely.  It is warm all year round and shorts are fine, unless the cooler north wind is blowing in winter when you might want a shorty on.

February, March and April are the best months, blowing in from the north or northeast and giving 10-15 knots.  The rest of the year isn’t very predictable and is lighter, so you’d have to catch it at just the right time for a trip to be worthwhile then.  The water is cloudy and the surface is always choppy.

Parking is in the city and there is plenty of room within a couple of minutes walk of the beach.  Accommodation is available in a few places nearby, and there are a couple of restaurants, but the beach has no real facilities and for nightlife you’ll want to head down the road to Varadero.

Watch out for people on the beach, but beyond that it is a safe place to be out.