El Desierto (Mar del Plata)
- Freeride, Bodyboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Chop, Small waves
- Spot Type
- Busy
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
El Desierto (Mar del Plata) is a large sandy beach just south of the harbor, with clean water and generally choppy conditions and small waves. It is primarily used for wind-driven sports—especially kitesurfing—with riding ranging from flatter water near harbor structures to more chaotic chop farther out. Wind is strongest around the summer and winter seasonal shifts. The most reliable directions reported for the site are N, NNE, NE, SSE, S, and SSW. Summer sessions are associated with an afternoon NE thermal/sea-breeze component that can start in the early afternoon and build toward later afternoon, while stronger southerly fronts are expected outside of summer. Wind reliability is described as limited in some reports (roughly a few kiteable days per week) and higher during the summer season in others. For water sports, the biggest practical constraint is safety and comfort: the area has currents (including rip/downwind drift) and major harbor-structure hazards (mole/jetty to the north). The water remains cold through the year; full neoprene is required year-round, and shorts are only feasible on some unusually hot summer days. In peak summer (especially January and February, and also December in some notes), the beach can be crowded, and restrictions/no-kiting zones and swimming-zone respect are emphasized. For surfing specifically, surfing is possible but limited. Breaks are beach-break and semi-sheltered, influenced by harbor structures; rides are typically short with quick close-outs, and conditions can shift quickly as wind and swell change.
- Wide launch on a big sandy beach just south of the harbor
- Chop/small-wave riding with clean water
- Seasonal NE afternoon thermal effect plus southerly frontal winds
- Key hazards: currents and the harbor mole/jetty area
- Wide sandy launch area
- Clean water with chop/small-wave conditions
- Strong seasonal wind variety for kitesurfing and windsurfing
- Intermediate riding level supported across wind sports
- Cold water requiring full neoprene most of the year
- Crowding risk during peak summer months
- Currents and harbor-mole/jetty hazards
- Surf sessions can be quick close-outs
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NNE, NE, SSE, S, SSW
- Wind Range
- 10–35 kts
- Wind Type
- Thermal — Thermal component (summer NE sea-breeze) plus frontal/gradient influences (Pampero-type S/SSE system); spot data lists thermal or sea-breeze behavior depending on conditions.
- Reliability
- Approx. 2–3 kiteable days per week (spot-level), with higher reliability in the summer season (another dataset).
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gustiness is reported; another dataset describes light gusts.
- Best Months
- December, January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop, Small waves
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Small — Kite/surf datasets describe small waves; one surfing dataset suggests medium waves.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Choppy water is repeatedly referenced for wind sports.
- Launch
- Medium — Medium-to-wide sandy beach launch area for self-launch; one dataset describes a wide sandy beach by the port's southern breakwater.
Through the year
Highest in January and February due to summer tourism; quieter in winter.
Rain can occur year-round; southerly Pampero storms can bring sudden strong winds and temperature drops (also noted regionally with strong frontal systems in late winter and spring).
By sport
What to expect for each.
A primary kitesurfing destination with a wide sandy launch and conditions ranging from flatter water near harbor structures to choppy, small-wave riding. Best in winter with stronger southerly fronts and also kiteable in summer with NE thermal/sea-breeze development.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Suitable for freeride and slalom in flat-to-chop conditions, supported by strong south/southerly fronts and thermal winds; cold water and crowding can be limiting.
- Sail Sizes
- 5–7 m²
Viable in chop/small-wave conditions with enough depth; currents and mole/jetty hazards require intermediate experience.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — One dataset says limited; another states it is foil-friendly with enough depth (minimum depth reported as 1.5 meters).
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Surfing is possible but limited; closer to harbor jetty protection can be more organized, while quick close-outs are common.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- S, SE
- Swell Height
- 1–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low, Mid — Tide preference is not consistent between sources (one says low, another says mid).
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Harbor structures provide partial shelter; jetty influence can also create rapid close-outs.
- Wind Effect
- NE winds are reported as cross-onshore; S winds as cross-shore. Spot-level notes indicate conditions can be best early before wind picks up.
- Bigger Swell
- Can hold size but close-outs are common; very large swells over 3 meters can lead to more frequent close-out behavior.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Also reported as average in another dataset.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Reported as moderate across datasets.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — A dataset describes hollow/quick close-outs; another describes peeling waves more generally.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Another dataset describes peeling/medium peel speed; both agree on quick, short rides.
- Ride Length
- Short — Another dataset describes medium ride length; overall character is quick-close-out rides.
- Ride Length Details
- Short, quick close-outs are reported; longer rides are not guaranteed.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for El Desierto (Mar del Plata) in the full forecast view.
El Desierto (Mar del Plata) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–16 ktsGusts 25 kts
- Direction
- ESE109°
- Strongest day
- Fri, Oct 2316 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.6–1.7 m7s period
- Temperature
- 8–17 °C
Over the next 7 days, El Desierto (Mar del Plata) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–16 kts, peaking around 16 kts on Friday, October 23 with gusts to 25 kts. The prevailing direction is ESE. Waves run 0.6–1.7 m with a period of about 7s. 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
- currents
- mole (harbor structure)
- swimmers
- bystanders
- rocks (beach risk)
- rip currents
- strong lateral currents possible
- port breakwater/jetties to the north
- cold water (year-round)
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguards are reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue is supported by local lifeguards during summer; regional context also notes offshore support by Prefectura Naval Argentina.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospitals are located in central Mar del Plata; emergency number is 911; major medical facility in the city is Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos (HIGA).
- Localism / Vibe
- None — No localism concerns reported.
Rules of the spot
Awareness of other beach users is required; avoid kiting in front of crowded swimming areas during peak summer months. Respect swimming zones in adjacent beach-club areas.
- No-kiting zones in front of crowded swimming areas during January and February.
- Be careful of swimmers and the harbor mole when on the water.
- In NE winds, stay clear of the southern jetty to avoid being pushed into rocks.
- Only on some hot summer days is shorts riding feasible; generally plan full neoprene.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Mar del Plata
- Nearest Town
- Mar del Plata
- Parking
- Parking is available at the spot; additional public parking is reported near the southern port entrance and adjacent beach club areas.
- Access
- Just south of the harbor in Mar del Plata.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous hotels and rental apartments are available in the Punta Mogotes and Puerto areas.
- Food & Drink
- Multiple beach bars and restaurants are located within the Punta Mogotes beach club complex.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is available at local schools located in the Punta Mogotes area.
- Gear Storage
- Storage is available at specialized surf club and school facilities near main beaches (regional context).
- Gear Repair
- Gear repair is available in Mar del Plata surf and kite shops.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Mar del Plata blends an active resort atmosphere with well-known landmarks, a fishing-port culture, and nearby nature for day trips along the coast and hills.
Fishing port known for its seafood markets and resident colony of sea lions.
Iconic coastal views and lighthouse.
Iconic architectural landmark and one of the largest casinos in the world.
Historic water tower offering panoramic views of the city and coastline.
Art deco architecture and historic piers.
Coastal hiking on acantilados.
Nearby hilly region offering hiking, paragliding, and a different landscape from the coast.
Area dense with restaurants, bars, and clubs popular after dark.
Oceanarium featuring local marine life and educational shows.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at El Desierto (Mar del Plata)?
The best overall months at El Desierto (Mar del Plata) are June, July, August, March, April, May, September, October, November. The best wind months are December, January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November.
Which wind directions work at El Desierto (Mar del Plata)?
El Desierto (Mar del Plata) works with N, NNE, NE, SSE, S, SSW winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at El Desierto (Mar del Plata)?
Recommended equipment sizes at El Desierto (Mar del Plata): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 5–7 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 10–35 kts.
What skill level is El Desierto (Mar del Plata) suitable for?
El Desierto (Mar del Plata) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Intermediate.