Guide to San Blas kiteboarding holidays

There’s a good reason that San Blas kitesurfing frequently makes it into the top ten best kitesurfing destinations worldwide. It is also often voted one of the most beautiful places on earth. Made up of 365 small islands, much of the water here is affected by large barrier reefs with plenty of virgin kite spots to explore.

Located just off Panama’s Caribbean coast on the northern isthmus, there are golden sandy beaches and endless stretches of turquoise water, as you might expect. But it’s the lack of tourists here that make it such a good destination for kitesurfers. You get to blend in with the natives, sample the local cuisine and enjoy an authentic kitesurfing tour without having to dodge other riders all day long.

Some of the top San Blas kitesurfing holidays are in the relatively deserted areas of Cayos, Coco Bandera and Hollander. The archipelago of islands along the coast is backed by mountain ranges on the mainland but it’s the supreme watersports conditions here that really stand out. However, some scientists have predicted that within 40 to 60 years, the whole archipelago will be submerged. So this really is a destination you have to visit before it’s too late.

If you’re looking to kitesurf in a genuine desert island paradise, then this is probably the closest you’ll find anywhere on earth. Consistent winds and vast stretches of warm tropical waters are ideal for beginners to learn the ropes and advanced riders will relish the chance to take on some of the reef swells and more serious winds off shore. In short, San Blas kitesurfing holidays have to be experienced to be believed.