Sail-in the New Year! Windsurfing & Kiteboarding in the Baja California Peninsula (Mexico)

Surf's up! December is the start of the winter surf season, in whatever form you prefer - surfing, windsurfing, kiteboarding or parasailing - in the Baja California Peninsula and continues until March. Experts and beginners alike are drawn to sunny skies, crystal-clear waters and low-cost accomodations (not to mention tacos & cerveza) that are hard to match north of the American-Mexican border. May to August is the spring/summer surf season.

A popular spot for windsurfers and kiteboarders, just 40 minutes East of La Paz, is La Ventana. One company ready to provide you with boards, instruction and accomodation (including an outdoor hot tub) is Ventana Windsports. If on a budget, Playa Miramar offers RV and camping spots for under $10 U.S. per night.

Heading further south, and to the West, Los Barriles is a top destination as well. El Norte winds, beginning in November, blow at 18-30 knots, sometimes lasting for weeks. Water temperatures range from 68-75'F. Vela Windsurf Resorts is the place for lessons and accomodations, with 80 boards on-site from Starboard and JP Australia rigged and ready to roll. Kids will love the pool. Free windsurf clinics are offered Monday through Friday.

If you have the cash to be spoiled, with lessons, up-scale accomodations and pampered care, check out Baja Surf Adventures. They have locations in Northern, Central, and Southern Baja.

To check-out current wind conditions and surf reports, go to the Daily Forcast section of iWindsurf.com by Mike Godsey.

If you want more comprehensive 'at your fingertips' information than what you may find surfing on the Web consider purchasing the Book "The Surfer's Guide to Baja" by long-time Baja surfer Mike Parise. It features over 75 breaks and is available to order online here: Surfing in Mexico.

Have a fabulous trip! Molly, author of Viva La Baja! Relocation Guide to the Baja California Peninsula