De Palm Island
- Freeride, Foil
- Best for
- Intermediate to Advanced
- Skill Level
- Flat, Chop
- Spot Type
- Moderate
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Kitesurfing here is technical mainly because the wind is offshore and the usable launch/landing space is limited. Sources emphasize that you should not attempt riding without support when conditions make landfall and recovery difficult, and that you should watch carefully around the mole/breakwater area at the end of the run. Access and riding rules may require verifying whether kitesurfing is permitted and whether permits or local membership apply.
- Glassy flat-water conditions sheltered by the island
- Consistent northeasterly/easterly trade winds (especially Jan–Aug)
- Crystal-clear water
- Highly regarded flat-water “butter” conditions (sheltered by the island).
- Consistent trade winds from northeasterly to easterly directions, especially Jan–Aug.
- Good water clarity.
- Offshore wind makes self-rescue difficult and increases the need for boat support.
- Very limited launch/landing space and technical access constraints.
- Hazard noted: mole/breakwater area at the end of the run.
- Access/use may require permits or local membership, and there are restrictions around snorkeling/swimming zones.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE, ENE, E, ESE
- Offshore directions
- NE, ENE, E, ESE
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Trade winds; best from NE/ENE/E.
- Reliability
- Excellent during trade wind season (very consistent Jan–Aug).
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Steady wind (no major gustiness noted).
- Best Months
- January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August
- Shadow Zones
- Turbulence behind island structures.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Chop
- Beach
- Sand — Sand.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Launch
- Small — Very limited launch space on the island itself; many riders use boat support or launch from nearby mainland spots.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Spot-level data: easy launch; other data describes very limited island launch requiring boat support.
- Shore Break
- None — No shore break noted.
Through the year
The island can be crowded with tourists, but the kite spot remains uncrowded due to access difficulty.
October–December
By sport
What to expect for each.
A flat-water (often described as “butter/glassy”) kitesurfing location created by shelter from the island. Wind is offshore, and beach space/landing is limited—access and safe riding typically require boat support.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Potentially good speed conditions on the sheltered flat water, but access is difficult without boat support.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–6.5 m²
Deep, flat water is suitable for foiling; launching remains the main challenge due to limited launch options.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil-friendly conditions noted.
- Min Depth
- 2 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 3–5 m²
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for De Palm Island in the full forecast view.
De Palm Island wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 6–18 ktsGusts 29 kts
- Direction
- E98°
- Strongest day
- Fri, Oct 2318 kts
- Windy days
- 5/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.3–1.2 m5s period
- Temperature
- 28–32 °C
Over the next 7 days, De Palm Island is forecast for daytime winds of 6–18 kts, peaking around 18 kts on Friday, October 23 with gusts to 29 kts. The prevailing direction is E. Waves run 0.3–1.2 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
- Mole
- Offshore wind
- Reefs
- Boat traffic
- Limited landing area
- Breakwaters
- Turbulence behind island structures
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguards noted as seasonal.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue is limited and there is no dedicated on-beach rescue service noted; emergency support may require contacting coast guard/local boat operators.
- Emergency Info
- Use 911 for emergencies. Nearest major medical facility: Dr. Horacio E. Oduber Hospital (Oranjestad).
- Localism / Vibe
- None — No localism issues noted in the spot-specific data.
Rules of the spot
Check in advance whether kitesurfing is allowed at the spot; access/usage may require a special permit or local membership. When on water, be very cautious around the mole/breakwater hazard and keep clear of the designated snorkeling and swimming areas of the private island park.
- Private island access fees may apply for land entry (if entering from the land).
- Launch area is restricted / limited.
- Kiters must stay clear of designated snorkeling and swimming areas of the private island park.
- May require a special permit or local membership.
- Mornings are often the most favorable time for riding.
- Because the wind is offshore and landing space is limited, use boat support rather than riding without a support option.
- Watch specifically for the breakwater mole at the end of the run.
- Verify access/launch rules before launching.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Oranjestad
- Nearest Town
- Santa Cruz
- Nearest Airport
- Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA)
- Parking
- Parking is available at the ferry terminal on the mainland.
- Public Transport
- Limited bus service along the main coastal road (gear carriage on buses may be restricted).
- Access
- Access is primarily by boat or ferry; the spot is on a private island, with land entry typically requiring an entrance fee.
- Cost Level
- Expensive
- Local Language
- Papiamento, Dutch, English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Accommodation options in Oranjestad and the Santa Cruz area.
- Food & Drink
- Food and drinks available on the island as part of the private park.
- Equipment Rental:
- General gear rental availability is noted via schools; island equipment rental is limited to snorkeling gear only (no kitesurfing rentals on the island).
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Private island destination offering snorkeling and resort amenities.
A nature preserve covering nearly 20% of the island with caves and rugged landscapes.
One of the best shore-snorkeling spots on the island in the mangroves of Pos Chikito.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at De Palm Island?
The best overall months at De Palm Island are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August.
Which wind directions work at De Palm Island?
De Palm Island works with NE, ENE, E, ESE winds. Offshore directions are NE, ENE, E, ESE.
What equipment sizes are recommended at De Palm Island?
Recommended equipment sizes at De Palm Island: Kitesurfing: 7–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–6.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 3–5 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is De Palm Island suitable for?
De Palm Island suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate to Advanced · Windsurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Advanced.