Map › Portugal › Funchal - Madeira › Caniçal
Madeira e Açores · Madeira, Machico
Caniçal
also known as Praia da Ribeira do Natal
Nearby Porto da Cruz / Machico 9 km · Praia Formosa 21 km · straight-line distance
When it fills in
No onset time is published for this spot.
The wind
Direction
Typical strength
15-20 when Madeira acceleration is working
Thermal or synoptic
synoptic with mountain acceleration
Dominant direction
S
Forecast
Month by month
- Jan39
- Feb38
- Mar32
- Apr26
- May40
- Jun39
- Jul32
- Aug40
- Sep22
- Oct31
- Nov11
- Dec32
per cent of the month at force 4 or more
- 10Jan20°
- 10Feb19°
- 10Mar19°
- 9Apr20°
- 10May21°
- 10Jun22°
- 10Jul23°
- 10Aug24°
- 8Sep24°
- 9Oct24°
- 7Nov23°
- 9Dec21°
avg knots per month · water °C below · season highlighted
| Month | Force 4+ | Knots | From | Air | Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 39% | 10.2 kt | NNE | 16.5°C | 20.3°C |
| Feb | 38% | 10.1 kt | N | 16.1°C | 19.4°C |
| Mar | 32% | 9.8 kt | NNW | 16.4°C | 19.2°C |
| Apr | 26% | 9 kt | N | 17.2°C | 19.8°C |
| May | 40% | 9.8 kt | N | 18.4°C | 20.7°C |
| Jun | 39% | 10.1 kt | N | 19.9°C | 21.7°C |
| Jul | 32% | 10 kt | N | 21.7°C | 23.4°C |
| Aug | 40% | 10.3 kt | N | 22.7°C | 24.4°C |
| Sep | 22% | 8.3 kt | N | 21.8°C | 24.4°C |
| Oct | 31% | 8.9 kt | N | 21.7°C | 24.1°C |
| Nov | 11% | 7.2 kt | N | 19.2°C | 22.8°C |
| Dec | 32% | 9.2 kt | SSW | 17.4°C | 21.2°C |
modelled
A weather model's cell over this place, not a station on it. Good for comparing places, weaker for one beach.
Modelled from weather reanalysis on a 10–25 km grid (2022-2024), not a ground station: reliable for trade and synoptic winds, understates thermal sea breezes and valley winds. The typical daily max and the direction are columns of the table above, month by month. Highlighted months are the riding season from the spot record.
ERA5 reanalysis grid point (modelled) · Open-Meteo historical weather API — ECMWF ERA5/ERA5-Land reanalysis, not a ground station · 2022-2024
The water
Type
ocean
Your level
The record rates the levels and says nothing more about what this spot asks of a rider.
The scene
What riders come here for
Launch and rules
three ways on to the water, and what each one asks of you
With a school or a boat
1 school names this spot
On your own
Room to launch: small
Somewhere else
Porto da Cruz / Machico, 9 km
Every spot within 40 km is on the map at the top of this page, with its distance under it.
Launch
Small beach launch at Caniçal, matched for coordinates to Praia da Ribeira do Natal. The access locals actually use is unconfirmed.
Space
small
Rider tips
- Ride the south days; other directions come offshore or blocked by the terrain.
- Check the beach with your own eyes before committing: acceleration around the mountains can put the wind above the forecast.
- Rig with the rocks in mind. The beaches are small and there is little room to walk a kite down.
- Ask locally where riders actually launch at Caniçal before driving over; Praia da Ribeira do Natal is the coordinate match, not a confirmed launch.
Photos
FAQ
Is Caniçal suitable for beginners?
No, it is rated intermediate to advanced, with small beaches, rocks and difficult wind angles for kitesurfing.
What is the wind like at Caniçal?
The usable wind is from the south, often accelerated by Madeira's mountainous terrain, typically 15-20 knots when that acceleration is working.
What hazards should riders know about?
The launch is small with rocks nearby, wind can gust unpredictably near the mountains, and some wind angles are unsuitable, either offshore or blocked onshore.
Last updated: August 2026