Prevailing and seasonal winds in the spring.
Trade Winds: Also called Easterlies, blow from Northeast (in the northern hemisphere) and Southeast (in the southern hemisphere) to the West along the Equator. They are permanent and prevailing winds caused by temperature and pressure differences, together with the Coriolis effect (Earth turning towards the East).
Trade Winds have been used by sailors to cross the Atlantic, since the Age of Sail (mid-15th to 19th Century) when the merchant sailing ships were crossing the ocean waters. Northeasterly winds start in the shores of the North African continent and blow towards the Caribbean. For that reason, most of the expeditions such as the one undertaken by Christopher Columbus initiated in the Canary Islands and landed in the Isla Hispaniola (now Haiti and Dominican Republic).
Winds in the Mediterranean Sea: The Embat (NE), constantly blowing in the north of Mallorca in warm season, begin alternating with southern winds already in the spring time. And thermal winds typical to the summers in Italy (Puglia, Sicily, and Sardegna)start blowing in April as well. They can be either Maestrale (NW) or Libeccio (SE).
The dominant wind of the Egean Sea is the Meltemi (N) which blows in the summer from the Northeast in the Cyclades, and bending Northwest towards the Dodecanese Islands. It is a seasonal wind caused by the encounter of the high and low pressures in the western and oriental Mediterranean Seas respectively. Although not so regularly, it can start blowing in the spring months.
Winds in the Iberian Atlantic coast: When the heat starts creating a thermal low pressure over the Iberian peninsula, combined with a high pressure over the Azores in the Atlantic, the Nortada (N-NW) wind blows on the shores of Portugal and southern Spain.
spring season destinations
Canary Islands: Starting point of the Northeasterly Winds, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria and Tenerife are famous for their year round warm and windy climate. These islands also benefit from nice waves generated in the Atlantic Ocean, providing for good surfing conditions as well. – Check out the courses offered in our partner schools in Tenerife.
Caribbean Islands: Arriving point of the Northeasterly Winds, the islands of Barbados and the Dominican Republic are known for the constant breeze, nice waves and warm waters. The northern coast of the Dominican Republic receives nice swell formed in the Atlantic Ocean and break in the reef off the bay of Cabarete, and along the shore, down to Encuentro beach where surfing takes place in the mornings. April marks the beginning of the more stable weather, with less rains (and smaller waves) but with more regular winds strengthened by warmer temperatures.
Mallorca: The ‘Embat’ steadily blows from the North-East, and in the Bay of Pollensa in particular. Being a thermal wind, it can start as soon as the temperatures get warm in the spring time. As the weather is not stable yet, the Embat alternates with winds from other directions typical to the stormy conditions of the winter months. – Check out the courses offered in our partner school at the PortBlue Pollentia Resort and Spa ****.
Portugal: The dominant wind in the summer months is the ‘Nortada’, and blows from N-NW between April and September. During these months the whole Atlantic coast of Portugal, as well as the Algarve in the South, is blessed with constant winds and waves. Local amplification of the wind occurs in famous spots such as Praia do Guincho near Lisbon. A number of lagoons, such as in Obidos present great conditions for learning kiteboarding in flat water.
Italy’s main Islands and Puglia: Thermal winds typical to the summers in Puglia, Sicily and Sardegna start blowing in April. Temperatures become more comfortable and beaches are still not crowded, also free to use by Kitesurfers. Check out the courses offered in our partner school in Vieste, Puglia, and Lo Stagnone, Sicily.
spring season fina destinations
In particular for these destinations, we propose specific spots where we have partnerships with local operators with whom we built personal knowledge and relationships while working on site during the seasons spent there. Click on the names for respective web pages, and the button below for an overview of our destinations:
Canary Islands : El Médano (Tenerife)
Balearic Islands: Bay of Pollensa (Mallorca)
Portugal : Obidos lagoon
Italy : Vieste (Puglia), Lo Stagnone (Sicily), and South Sardegna
Dominican Republic : Cabarete (Puerto Plata)
We look forward to hearing from you, with questions, comments or requests about the sports, experiences, and details about the destinations before departing for your journey. Please feel free to simply connect with us through our Facebook or Instagram pages.
Thank you, and let’s get ready for your next experiential trip!
