Carnasa Island (Agutaya)
- Freestyle, Freeride
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Flat, Shallow
- Spot Type
- Empty
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Carnasa Island (Agutaya) is a remote, reef-framed island where riders typically access the site by boat as part of island-hopping trips. The kitesurfing experience centers on a massive, shallow turquoise lagoon that offers very flat water compared with open-coast spots, while the reef edges can create depth changes that matter at tide extremes. For wind, the best direction is reported as NE to ENE and easterly (NE/ENE/E). The strongest and most reliable period aligns with the Amihan trade winds, with the best months listed as January, February, March, and also November and December. Typical wind is described in the range of about 15–25 knots and is characterized as steady during the season. Because this is essentially undeveloped and isolated, the primary safety theme is self-sufficiency: there are hazards including coral heads and sea urchins near the reef edge, and the island setup has strong sun exposure. There are no lifeguards and no formal rescue services on the immediate islands, and the nearest medical facilities are on Cuyo Island, several hours away by boat. Planning around tides is also essential since the lagoon can become too shallow at very low tide for some sports and setups. Overall, the spot is best for intermediate riders who are comfortable with logistics and can ride/foil with tide-aware route planning in a shallow-reef lagoon. With proper preparation (supplies, protective gear, and a comprehensive kite/board repair plan), it’s described as a hidden-gem style destination for flat-water kitesurfing and freeride-focused sessions during peak trade-wind months.
- Reef-protected shallow, flat lagoon with crystal-clear visibility
- NE/ENE/E best wind directions with steady trade winds in peak season
- Hidden-gem destination commonly visited via multi-day kite safaris
- Crystal-clear, flat lagoon water with a reef-protected setup
- Best wind in the Amihan season with steady trade winds
- Excellent conditions for freestyle/freeride kitesurfing and foiling
- Very remote: no rescue services and no on-island medical backup close by
- No food available on the island; you must bring supplies
- Lagoon can become too shallow at very low tide, especially near reef sections
- Logistics can be difficult (access and carrying gear are typically boat-based)
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE, ENE, E
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Trade winds (Northeast Monsoon / Amihan).
- Reliability
- High during the Amihan season
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Described as steady.
- Best Months
- January, February, March, November, December
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Shallow
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach areas for launch.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Flat — Flat/very small wave conditions in the lagoon.
- Chop Level
- Light chop — Some chop reported; generally flat-water ride conditions.
- Launch
- Small — Narrow sandy beach areas; launch space can be limited at high tide.
Through the year
Very low; usually only a few riders from organized boat trips.
June to October
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exceptional flat-water kitesurfing over a massive, shallow turquoise lagoon created by an encircling reef; commonly accessed as part of a kite safari.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Suitable for windsurfing on flat water, but logistics are difficult because gear must be brought by private boat.
- Sail Sizes
- 5–7 m²
Often deep enough for foiling in many lagoon sections, with caution required around tide levels over reef sections.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Lagoon channels can support foiling with proper tide planning.
- Min Depth
- 1.2m in the lagoon channels
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Carnasa Island (Agutaya) in the full forecast view.
Carnasa Island (Agutaya) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–19 ktsGusts 24 kts
- Direction
- ENE57°
- Strongest day
- Wed, Oct 2819 kts
- Windy days
- 5/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.2–1.1 m4s period
- Temperature
- 28–30 °C
Over the next 7 days, Carnasa Island (Agutaya) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–19 kts, peaking around 19 kts on Wednesday, October 28 with gusts to 24 kts. The prevailing direction is ENE. Waves run 0.2–1.1 m with a period of about 4s. 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
- Coral heads
- Sea urchins
- Remoteness
- Strong sun
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No formal rescue services or coastguard presence on the immediate islands; riders must be self-sufficient.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities are on Cuyo Island (several hours away by boat).
Rules of the spot
No formal local rules; use extreme caution due to remoteness and lack of rescue services.
- Do not rely on on-site rescue services.
- Bring all supplies including water and food—this island is essentially undeveloped.
- Watch the tides; lagoon depth can become too shallow at very low tide for some setups.
- Plan for self-sufficiency because access and rescue are limited.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Puerto Princesa
- Nearest Town
- Agutaya
- Parking
- No vehicle access; boat landing only.
- Public Transport
- Accessible only by local outrigger boats (bangkas) or occasional ferries from Cuyo or Iloilo.
- Access
- Access is only via private banca or organized boat trip, usually departing from Cuyo. The island is part of the Quiniluban group.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Cuyonon, Tagalog, English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Far — Camping is possible, but most visitors stay on Cuyo Island or on live-aboard boats.
- Food & Drink
- None available on the island.
- Equipment Rental:
- No on-site rental available.
- Gear Storage
- None; storage is typically handled within private accommodations.
- Gear Repair
- None available; riders should bring comprehensive repair kits.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Carnasa Island (Agutaya)?
The best overall months at Carnasa Island (Agutaya) are November, December, January, February, March. The best wind months are January, February, March, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Carnasa Island (Agutaya)?
Carnasa Island (Agutaya) works with NE, ENE, E winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Carnasa Island (Agutaya)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Carnasa Island (Agutaya): Kitesurfing: 7–12 m² · Windsurfing: 5–7 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Carnasa Island (Agutaya) suitable for?
Carnasa Island (Agutaya) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate.