Panama and kiteboarding?!
Have you heard about kiteboarding in Panama?
The small country located between Costa Rica and Colombia is known for its Panama Canal or maybe for the not so Panamanian “Panama Hat”. But did you have it on your list for your next kite trip?
Ever heard about the infamous sandbars, the kite trips to John Wayne island or the Punta Chame flat water lagoons? No, then read on.
Panama is surrounded by two oceans, the Atlantic and Pacific. So, there is lots of water and technically, you could kite on both oceans within a few hours. Since the prohibition of kiteboarding on the indigenous San Blas Islands, the only and main kite spot is Punta Chame, a small fisher village at the very point of a 25km long peninsula in the Pacific, a little over an hour away from Panama City.
Punta Chame receives 15-25 knots of constant wind daily between late November and early May. The perfect months to escape the cold weather in Europe and enjoy your kite adventure. No need to pack your wetsuit either because water temperatures exceed 27ºC. The wind is usually stronger in the mornings and evenings, with lighter winds around noon, which gives you some time for a good lunch and siesta before the afternoon session.
The Kite Spot
The kite spot really is a large bay enclosed by the Punta Chame peninsula and a mountain range on the other side. Constant trade winds from the north blow across the bay, hitting the peninsula in a perfect side-on condition.
There are no rocks or other obstacles in the water, that’s why it’s a great and safe spot for beginners and advanced kiters alike. Since the Pacific has strong tides so the beach is around 200m wide on low tide and nearly disappears at high tide. Therefore, the water conditions are small waves and chop depending on the tide and wind combination.
In 2014 the spot came to fame for the first time when the PKRA held one of their kiteboarding championship stops in Punta Chame. Still, it has not been until recently that European and North American tourists have discovered this gem of a kiteboarding destination.
Let’s get into the details of a very entertaining spot:
Kite Safari – Isla Taborcillo
In the middle of the bay lies John Wayne Island, also known as Isla Taborcillo. The deserted island used to be home to a western style hotel, which was abandoned a decade ago.
Panama Kite Center will to take you there on a trip. We usually pack lunches and a few drinks and head over to explore the small island.
This makes for a nice kite safari, usually taking about 20-30 minutes to get there. Once there you can play in the flat water in front of the island and come back home with an easy downwinder
Kite Trip – Sand Bars
Probably the highlight around Punta Chame is kiting out to one of the many sandbars that form in the middle of the bay. Right around full moon these super low tides make for an incredible phenomenon, where giant sand bar formations become visible.
Join our crew for an organized group trip for super flat water. From the shore it’s only 10 minutes til you reach the first sand bar. They will be out for 3 hours a day, so plan your trip and be on time.
Mangrove Downwinders
From the first lagoon at Panama Kite Center we accompany you downwind for approximately 30-60 minutes to the end of the bay. All you will see is water and mangroves, until we reach the bigger lagoon with more flat water to play around.
Finally, we will pick you up with our truck for a small fee at the end so you don’t have to come all the way upwind again.
Kite Spot – The Home Lagoon
Not ready to go on kite safaris? No problem. The flat water lagoon in Punta Chame is located right in front of Panama Kite Center at the downwind end of the village.
Expect butter flat conditions perfect for taking your first kite lessons and do some freestyle without tidal currents or waves throwing you off the board. The lagoon is best around mid-tide. From your accommodation at Solé Beach Club or Panama Kite Center, you will be on the water within a minute.
How To Get To The Kite Spot
Panama’s Tocumen International Airport (PTY) is called the “Hub of the Americas”. All the major cities in North America and capitals in Europe offer direct flights for 500-600€. From there it’s best to get a rental car and drive the 100km to Punta Chame, if you want to be flexible.
If you’re on a budget, firstly, take a taxi to Albrook mall bus terminal. Then take a bus to Coronado and get off at “Plaza Imperial” in Bejuco. Lastly, from there catch a micro bus into Punta Chame.
All you want to do is kite? Then have Panama Kite Center pick you up at the airport. You should be on the water within two hours.
What Else To Do Around The Kite Spot
Feel comfortable to bring your family, there are things to do if your family or spouse are asking for a no-kite day or if you’re too sore from kiting.
Catch some waves in Playa Caracol, just 15min away from Punta Chame. The beach is famous for it’s constant breaks and is perfect around medium tides. At Panama Kite Center, we rent surfboards and take you for a surf trip, if you would like to escape kiting for a while.
If you’re into hiking, get the best views on top of Cerro Chame. About a 1.5-2h hike, well worth the sweat, go early and overlook the entire Chame bay.
Another option is to explore the Chame Canyons or visit the popular Valle de Anton. If you’re into big city life, don’t miss the opportunity to see Panama City with its glamorous skyscrapers and the charming old town with beautiful colonial buildings, cosmopolitan restaurants and nightlife. For some history, take a short detour via the Panama Canal, as well.
Punta Chame is a great, rather unknown destination for the kiteboarder that wants to see something off the beaten path away from mass tourism. Constant winds, a wide beach with a flat water lagoon and excellent downwinders make it a must-see kite destination in Latin America and a good excuse to escape winter in Europe and North America. We hope to see you soon.