Haynes Cay and Acuario (San Andrés Island)
- Freestyle, Freeride
- Best for
- Intermediate to Expert
- Skill Level
- Flat, Shallow, 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Haynes Cay and Acuario is a small, shallow lagoon spot near San Andrés with crystal-clear water and predominantly flat conditions with small waves or mild chop. The beach/launch area is small and the launch is typically described as limited, with common surface hazards including swimmers, tour boats, and jet skis. Bottom hazards are emphasized in some reports, including reef patches/coral heads and markers/buoys, so riders should plan a conservative, depth-aware approach. Wind is dominated by the Northeast/East trade winds (reported best from NE, ENE, and E, with ESE also mentioned). Reported in-season wind strength is generally around 15–25 knots and described as steady rather than gusty, with higher season consistency in the dry/wind months. This steady trade flow makes the spot particularly suitable for freestyle and freeride (and foil for those who can find enough depth). Access is a key factor: the cays are reached by boat from the main island (with launch options referenced from Downtown Beach and/or Chameys Nautica when accessible). Because the area is also a tourist destination, conditions can become crowded during daytime. Safety considerations include avoiding buoyed swimming zones and any primary swimming areas during peak tourist hours, and respecting boat/taxi lanes used by water traffic. For timing, multiple tips emphasize going early—before large numbers of tourist boats arrive—so you can reduce traffic and swimming overlap. Water is warm year-round, and wetsuit use is reported as unnecessary (optionally for sun/reef protection), aligning with the spot’s tropical, clear-water lagoon environment.
- Crystal-clear, shallow lagoon water
- Steady Northeast/East trade winds (15–25 knots in season)
- Best seasons reported for wind: December to February and June to July
- Crystal-clear, warm water and shallow, protected lagoon conditions for flat-to-small wave riding.
- Steady Northeast/East trade winds suitable for freeride/freestyle and foil attempts.
- Best wind window reported for December to February and June to July (with an extended summer consistency window).
- Boat access is required.
- Shallow lagoon with reef/coral features means hazards from depth changes (including coral heads).
- Can get crowded with tourists and boats during the daytime.
- Kitesurfing may be restricted in buoyed swimming zones/primary swimming areas during peak hours.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE, ENE, E, ESE
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Northeast trade winds (Alisios) / steady trade flow.
- Reliability
- high
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Steady wind pattern reported.
- Best Months
- January, February, June, July, December
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Shallow, Chop, Small waves
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach described.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — Reported as flat/small to small waves; generally low energy.
- Launch
- Small — Very small sandy launch; limited launching area with obstacles (boats/jet skis) nearby.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Launch difficulty described as moderate, largely due to the very small/limited launch and boat/traffic management.
Through the year
High tourist crowds between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM year-round.
September to November is the peak rainy period with a higher chance of tropical disturbances.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Flat, shallow lagoon conditions with clear visibility and small waves; generally suitable for freestyle and freeride/foil. Boat access is required; the area can be crowded with tourists and boats, and shallow reef/coral features are present.
Freeride/foil potential in shallow, protected lagoon conditions with small to flat-wave dynamics and steady trade winds; gear must be transported by boat.
- Sail Sizes
- 5.5–7.5 m²
Possible but limited near the cays due to shallow water and coral; better further out in deeper parts of the lagoon.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foiling near the cays is limited; conditions improve where depth allows.
- Min Depth
- 1.0m
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Haynes Cay and Acuario (San Andrés Island) in the full forecast view.
Haynes Cay and Acuario (San Andrés Island) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 5–17 ktsGusts 22 kts
- Direction
- N357°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2517 kts
- Windy days
- 5/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.4–1.1 m5s period
- Temperature
- 28–29 °C
Over the next 7 days, Haynes Cay and Acuario (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 0.4–1.1 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
- Swimmers
- Ships
- Jet skis
- Buoys
- Shallow coral heads
- Reef patches
- Sea urchins
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability reported as limited for the area; some private boat support may exist via water-sports centers during peak hours.
- Emergency Info
- Rescue availability reported as limited in the region.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — No specific localism friction reported.
Rules of the spot
Check whether kitesurfing is allowed and whether a special permit or local membership is required. Kiting may be restricted in primary swimming areas during peak tourist hours; do not kite in buoyed swimming zones and respect boat/taxi lanes.
- Kiting is generally restricted in primary swimming areas of Acuario during peak tourist hours.
- No kiting in buoyed swimming zones.
- Respect boat taxi lanes.
- Boat access is required; plan launch coordination and timing.
- Arrive early: the spot is best in the morning before tourist boats arrive (reported around 10:00 AM).
- Use caution in buoyed swimming areas and be mindful of tour-boat routes/lanes.
- Shallow coral/reef hazards are present—ride with awareness of depth changes.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- San Andrés
- Nearest Town
- San Andrés
- Access
- To the East of San Andrés, Haynes Cay and the Acuario are visible. You need a boat to get there; alternatives may include launch via Downtown Beach or Chameys Nautica if accessible by land, but boat access is primary.
- Local Language
- Spanish, English Creole
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Accommodation is available on the main island of San Andrés; no lodging on the cays.
- Food & Drink
- Small restaurants and kiosks serving seafood and drinks.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental available from schools on the main island (arrange transport).
- Gear Storage
- Limited storage available at schools on the main island.
- Gear Repair
- Basic repairs can be handled via local schools on the main island.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Small island with beaches and a lighthouse, popular for snorkeling and beach visits.
Shallow reef area with colorful fish, accessible by boat or snorkeling.
Natural sandbar and shallow reef perfect for walking between cays and observing marine life.
Historical site linked to the pirate Henry Morgan, featuring limestone caves.
Oldest church on the island, offering panoramic views and insight into Raizal culture.
World-class 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 Haynes Cay and Acuario (San Andrés Island)?
The best overall months at Haynes Cay and Acuario (San Andrés Island) are December, January, February, June, July. The best wind months are January, February, June, July, December.
Which wind directions work at Haynes Cay and Acuario (San Andrés Island)?
Haynes Cay and Acuario (San Andrés Island) works with NE, ENE, E, ESE winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Haynes Cay and Acuario (San Andrés Island)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Haynes Cay and Acuario (San Andrés Island): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 5.5–7.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Haynes Cay and Acuario (San Andrés Island) suitable for?
Haynes Cay and Acuario (San Andrés Island) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate to Expert · Windsurfing: Intermediate to Expert · Wingfoiling: Intermediate to Expert.