Canuha (Calheta Funda)
- Wave, Shortboard
- Best for
- Advanced
- Skill Level
- Mixed
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Canuha (Calheta Funda) is a small, clean, wave-oriented spot on the west coast of Sal near Murdeira, favored for NE wind days. Wind is typically steady and reliable during the winter trade wind season, and the best kite direction is reported as NE. For kitesurfing, the spot is described as a wave and freeride option with NE winds and small-to-medium wave character, including a clean left-hand tendency. Kite sessions are generally positioned for riders comfortable with higher-performance wave lines, and the takeoff zone is noted as relatively small. Surfers get the most from a left-hand reef break that peels well when swell alignment is correct, with offshore NE winds grooming the wave faces. The wave power is described as moderate, and while the spot can handle significant size, conditions can become more challenging because currents may get very strong. Safety is a primary concern: the spot is remote, features sharp rocks/volcanic reef at entry and exit points, and reports no rescue service. For that reason, the spot is recommended for advanced/expert riders only, and riding alone is strongly discouraged. Plan for self-sufficiency, verify gear thoroughly before launch, and be prepared for offshore wind behavior.
- NE wind preference with steady winter trade conditions
- Clean left-hand wave shape when swell and wind align
- Small-wave/medium-wave character with a reef/rocky launch area
- Very clear water
- Clean NE wind direction preference with steady trade wind conditions
- Good for wave riding (noted as a clean left-hand reef/peeling wall when aligned)
- Small, quiet feel compared with busier kite areas on Sal
- Offshore wind setup increases difficulty and makes drifting/returns harder
- Sharp rocks/reef hazards at entry and exit points
- Remote access and no rescue service
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE, NNE
- Offshore directions
- NE
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Consistent North-East trade winds (NE), with cross-offshore/offshore tendencies on the west coast.
- Reliability
- High during the winter trade wind season
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Typically steady trade wind conditions.
- Best Months
- January, February, March, April, May, November, December
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Mixed
- Beach
- Mixed — Mixed rocky/reef and sandy patches
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Small-to-medium wave conditions reported.
- Launch
- Small — Narrow rocky beach with some sandy patches
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Narrow rocky launch area with sharp rocks and reef at entry/exit points.
Through the year
Generally quiet; can get busy with local riders on weekends.
August to October is the rainy season; Sal remains very dry.
By sport
What to expect for each.
A high-performance wave area with small-to-medium waves, clean left-hand lines, and NE wind preference.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Excellent for wave riding when the swell is up; offshore wind helps produce very clean faces.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–5.7 m²
Possible for experienced riders, but conditions are risky due to offshore wind and lack of rescue.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foil-friendly conditions reported as limited.
- Min Depth
- 2.0m
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
A reliable left-hand reef break on the west coast of Sal that works best when swell alignment is correct.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- N, NW
- Swell Height
- 1–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Best on a mid tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed setup; wind-swell interaction is a key factor.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore NE winds groom the wave faces perfectly.
- Bigger Swell
- Can handle significant size but the current becomes very strong.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Clean, peeling wall and good overall face quality with offshore winds.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Moderate wave power; can handle significant size.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Clean, peeling wall over the reef when aligned.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peeling wall when correctly aligned.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Provides a clean, peeling wall; ride length typically medium.
- Ride Length Details
- Provides a clean, peeling wall when the swell is correctly aligned.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Canuha (Calheta Funda) in the full forecast view.
Canuha (Calheta Funda) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 9–20 ktsGusts 28 kts
- Direction
- NNE32°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2420 kts
- Windy days
- 7/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.7–1.2 m8s period
- Temperature
- 26–30 °C
Over the next 7 days, Canuha (Calheta Funda) is forecast for daytime winds of 9–20 kts, peaking around 20 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 28 kts. The prevailing direction is NNE. Waves run 0.7–1.2 m with a period of about 8s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Offshore wind
- Sharp rocks
- Remote location
- No rescue service
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard presence reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No rescue service reported for the spot.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities are in Santa Maria or Espargos.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Generally low-friction but still respect local users.
Rules of the spot
Respect local surfers and kiters; the takeoff zone is relatively small.
- Never ride here alone as there is no safety boat or infrastructure.
- Check your gear thoroughly before launching due to the offshore wind direction.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Santa Maria
- Nearest Town
- Murdeira
- Parking
- Parking is available (informal parking on the dirt area above the beach).
- Access
- From Santa Maria drive north and turn left when signs indicate the beach.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Portuguese
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Accommodation available in Murdeira or Santa Maria.
- Food & Drink
- No facilities at the spot; bring your own water and food.
- Equipment Rental:
- No rentals on-site; equipment must be brought from Santa Maria.
- Gear Storage
- None available on-site.
- Gear Repair
- None available on-site; repair services are available in Santa Maria and Espargos (regionally).
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Murdeira is a protected, tranquil west-coast base area near Santa Maria with nearby bays and volcanic scenery.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Canuha (Calheta Funda)?
The best overall months at Canuha (Calheta Funda) are October, November, December, January, February, March, April, May. The best wind months are January, February, March, April, May, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Canuha (Calheta Funda)?
Canuha (Calheta Funda) works with NE, NNE winds. Offshore directions are NE.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Canuha (Calheta Funda)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Canuha (Calheta Funda): Kitesurfing: 7–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–5.7 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Canuha (Calheta Funda) suitable for?
Canuha (Calheta Funda) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced · Windsurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Expert · Surfing: Intermediate.