Chameys Nautica (San Andrés Island)
- Freeride, Freestyle
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Flat, Shallow, Small waves
- Spot Type
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Range
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Chameys Nautica is a compact, shallow-water kitesurfing launch on the eastern side of San Andrés, known for crystal-clear conditions and a mix of flat lagoon riding with reef-influenced features nearby. The beach area is small and the launch can be tight, so getting on and off the water often requires extra care. Wind is dominated by the Northeast/East trade winds, typically side-onshore. The spot is most consistently good in January, February, June, July, and December, with commonly reported steady ranges that support freeride and progression. Because the island context brings consistent wind, sessions are generally repeatable during the trade-wind windows. Safety at this spot centers on marine traffic and reef/coral hazards: ships, jet skis, reefs, and corals are specifically called out, and the launch area is associated with restricted zones to reduce conflict with beach users. The water clarity is a benefit for spotting hazards—but it should not reduce caution around coral heads/reef structures. For water temperature, the season is warm year-round, and sources indicate no wetsuit is typically needed (optionally using rash protection/reef-safe coverage). Overall, it’s a strong choice for riders who can manage a narrow launch and who respect the boat-channel/reef boundaries.
- Crystal-clear, shallow riding conditions
- Steady Northeast/East trade winds
- Warm water year-round (no wetsuit typically needed)
- Crystal-clear water with generally shallow, flat riding conditions (great for calm progression).
- Reliable Northeast/East trade winds during the core season.
- Warm water year-round with no wetsuit typically needed.
- Launch area is narrow and space can be limited, especially at high tide.
- Proximity to ships, jet skis, and reef/coral hazards increases risk during launch and riding.
- Shallow coral sections can affect wingfoil landing/footing and line choices.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Northeast/East trade-wind pattern.
- Reliability
- High during the trade wind seasons (December to April and June to August).
- Gust Factor
- Steady
- Best Months
- January, February, June, July, December
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–16 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Shallow, Small waves
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — Small waves in the reef-influenced areas.
- Chop Level
- Light chop — Chop referenced alongside flat conditions.
- Launch
- Small — Small, narrow sandy beach area with obstacles (boats/jet skis anchored nearby).
Through the year
Busier during peak Colombian holidays and the winter months.
October and November are typically the rainiest months.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Flat, mostly shallow and crystal-clear riding (lagoon/reef-limited areas), with the potential for small reef-influenced waves. Wind is typically side-onshore with strong trade-wind reliability during the main seasons.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–16 m²
Freeride and progression are possible in the lagoon areas; the launch is generally better optimized for kites.
- Sail Sizes
- 5.5–7.5 m²
Flat, shallow lagoon water supports foiling, but shallow reef/coral sections require attention.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil-friendly in the main riding areas.
- Min Depth
- Approximately 1.5 meters in the main riding areas; shallower over coral heads.
- Wing Sizes
- 4–7 m²
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Chameys Nautica (San Andrés Island) in the full forecast view.
Chameys Nautica (San Andrés Island) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 5–17 ktsGusts 22 kts
- Direction
- N360°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2517 kts
- Windy days
- 4/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.3–1.1 m5s period
- Temperature
- 27–29 °C
Over the next 7 days, Chameys Nautica (San Andrés Island) is forecast for daytime winds of 5–17 kts, peaking around 17 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 22 kts. The prevailing direction is N. Waves run 0.3–1.1 m with a period of about 5s. 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
- Ships
- Jetskis
- Reefs
- Corals
- Narrow launch area
- Coral heads
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability is limited on-site.
Rules of the spot
Respect designated swimming zones and avoid kiting too close to the boat channels used for tours.
- Launch area is restricted to the specific school/club zone to avoid beach users.
- Best for beginners once on the water due to flat, shallow conditions, but the launch is challenging because the beach is small and nearby boats/jet skis are active.
- Crystal-clear water makes obstacles visible but do not ignore them—use extra caution around reefs/coral heads.
- Wear booties if you are not confident staying upwind, as the bottom has rocky and coral-filled sections.
- The beach is very narrow, so assisted launching and landing are highly recommended.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- San Andrés
- Nearest Town
- San Luis
- Parking
- Limited roadside parking available near the school entrance.
- Public Transport
- Taxi/moto access from San Andrés; golf cart/scooter transport commonly used on the island.
- Access
- Just south of San Andrés city, next to the main road. Easy reach via taxi or moto from the small island.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous pousadas, hotels, and apartments in the San Luis area.
- Food & Drink
- On-site bar and restaurant; several local 'comedores' within walking distance.
- Equipment Rental:
- Full kite and wingfoil gear rental available through the local club.
- Gear Storage
- Available for a daily fee at the kite center.
- Gear Repair
- Basic sail and kite bladder repairs often possible on-site.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
San Andrés is a Caribbean island destination with crystal-clear water, reef experiences, and a strong water-sports community.
A natural sandbar and shallow reef perfect for walking between cays and observing marine life.
A shallow reef area with colorful fish, accessible by boat or snorkeling.
A small island with beaches and a lighthouse, popular for snorkeling and beach visits.
A historical site linked to the pirate Henry Morgan, featuring limestone caves.
The oldest church on the island, offering panoramic views from its steeple and insight into the Raizal culture.
Diving in the Seaflower Biosphere Reserve with high visibility and diverse coral formations.
Traditional island cuisine featuring rondon (fish stew) and fried snapper.
Shallow, calm waters ideal for families to wade out to a nearby islet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Chameys Nautica (San Andrés Island)?
The best overall months at Chameys Nautica (San Andrés Island) are December, January, February, March, April, June, July. The best wind months are January, February, June, July, December.
Which wind directions work at Chameys Nautica (San Andrés Island)?
Chameys Nautica (San Andrés Island) works with NE winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Chameys Nautica (San Andrés Island)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Chameys Nautica (San Andrés Island): Kitesurfing: 9–16 m² · Windsurfing: 5.5–7.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–7 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Chameys Nautica (San Andrés Island) suitable for?
Chameys Nautica (San Andrés Island) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner to Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Beginner to Intermediate.