Kite school · Sal, Cape Verde
Kite & Tonic: Kitesurf School on Sal's RIU Beach, Lessons With a Boat
A small Belgian and Dutch-run school on the RIU beach at Ponta Preta: flat water, one or two students per instructor, the instructor in the water and a boat close by.
- 1 or 2 students per instructor
- Boat on the water
- Eight languages spoken
- Open daily 9:00 to 17:00
In short
Kite & Tonic is a small kite and windsurf school run by Anthony, a Belgian instructor, and Lisette, from the Netherlands, on the beach in front of the Riu Funana at the southern tip of Sal. Instead of busy Kite Beach, it teaches on the RIU beach, where the school describes smooth, flat water over white sand, a side-shore to slightly side-offshore wind and a boat on the water.
Lessons are for one or two students per instructor, and the instructor joins you in the water. On the price list on the school's website (read in October 2026, no year shown), the 11-hour beginner course costs €365 per person in a group of up to two, two private hours €120 and a 3-hour introduction €90. The RIU Palace Santa Maria is about 800 m away, and the school opens every day from 9:00 to 17:00.
At a glance
School Fit
- Certifications
- Certified European instructors (school); no IKO or VDWS listing confirmed
- Group size
- One or two students per instructor
- Rescue / Safety
- A boat on the water; rescue for riders on their own gear €30 a time
- Hours
- Every day 9:00 to 17:00; season from October to June
- Spot
- RIU beach: flat water, side-shore to slightly side-offshore wind
- Languages
- Dutch, French, English, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Creole
- Gear storage
- Two kites and a board: €40 a week, €70 for two weeks
- Guest rating
- 4.6/5 on Google (52 reviews)
Verified with Kite & Tonic's official website (English, Dutch and French pages), its Google listing, and the Google listings of the RIU hotels next door · Updated October 2026
See the place
Video and Instagram
Kite & Tonic - Kitesurf Sal
The school's own short film from Sal, asking whether you would rather kitesurf with Kite & Tonic or sunbathe on the beach.
Video: Kite & Tonic Kite school on YouTube
Wind forecast
7-day wind forecast at Santa Maria & Kite Beach
Updated 2 Nov, 10:47
GO16–24 ktsOK12–15 ktsSTRONG25 kts and moreLIGHTunder 12 kts
Strongest wind and gusts of the day, in knots. Kite sizes are a rough guide for a rider of about 75 kg. Weather data by Open-Meteo.com.
Prices
Courses and prices
| Course | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to kitesurfing (group of up to 2) | 3 h | €90 per person |
| Board start course (group of up to 2) | 7 h, 3 lessons | €240 per person |
| Board riding course (group of up to 2) | 9 h, 4 lessons | €305 per person |
| Full beginner course (group of up to 2) | 11 h, 5 lessons | €365 per person |
| Move-on course, if you have had lessons (group of up to 2) | 3, 4 or 5 lessons of 2 h | €200 / €260 / €310 per person |
| Private lessons | 2 h / 4 h / 6 h / 8 h | €120 / €230 / €330 / €430 |
| Private advanced lesson | 1.5 h | €90 |
| Downwind trip (minimum 4 people) | 2 h | €35 |
| Storage: 2 kites or sails and a board | 1 week / 2 weeks | €40 / €70 |
| Rescue in front of the school, own gear | per rescue | €30 |
From the price list on the school's website, read in October 2026 (the list shows no year). Group lessons are for up to two people and priced per person. Confirm prices with the school when you book; a €20 fee applies if you cancel less than 24 hours ahead.
Choose
Which course is right for you?
- Never flown a kite: the 3-hour introduction splits kite control on the beach with body dragging in the water, and the 11-hour course aims to get you riding.
- Learning with a partner: group lessons take two students at most and are priced per person.
- Had lessons before but not riding yet: the move-on courses run in 2-hour lessons over three to five sessions.
- Already riding: book the 1.5-hour private advanced lesson, or join a downwinder from Kite Beach back to the school with the boat following (four riders minimum).
- Windsurfers: the school teaches windsurfing too, with a windsurf specialist on the team.
The spot
Wind and conditions at the station
The school sits on the beach in front of the Riu Funana, on Sal's west coast near the southern tip. It says the wind here is the strongest on the island, with nothing upwind to block it: usually side-shore and slightly side-offshore, which keeps the water smooth and flat. The bottom is white sand with no rocks, there is sometimes a shorebreak to pass, and two tacks upwind take you to the Ponta Preta wave, which does not affect the spot itself.
The school's season runs from October to mid or late June, with the most wind from January to mid-April and the least from July to September; January to March also brings waves. More about the island's spots in our Sal kitesurf guide.
Safety
Safety and teaching
With the wind blowing slightly off the beach, the boat matters: Kite & Tonic teaches from its own boat and keeps a lifeboat on the water. The first lesson is half beach training and half body dragging, and the instructor joins you in the water instead of coaching from the sand, then follows your first runs. Groups never go beyond two students. Riders on their own gear can buy a rescue in front of the school for €30 a time.
On site
Facilities
- An office on the beach next to the diving centre, where every lesson starts and you can change
- Storage for your belongings during lessons, and weekly storage for your gear
- SUP and skimboards on calm, light-wind days
- Guided kite trips for groups of four or more
- Payment in euros or escudos; there is no cash machine at the school
Stay
Where to stay
RIU Palace Santa Maria is about 800 m from the school, around 10 minutes on foot through the connected RIU complex or along the beach. The Riu Funana and the adults-only Riu Cabo Verde stand right behind the school.
Book
Contact and booking
Book by WhatsApp on +31 6 3946 4955 or through the form on the school's website; the school answers within 24 hours and recommends booking ahead to secure your slot and gear. By taxi, ask for the beach in front of the RIU Funana (about €3 to €4, school figure); on foot from outside the resort, walk around the hotel to the beach.
Our take
Our verdict
Great for
- Beginners who want flat water and tiny groups instead of crowded Kite Beach
- Guests of the RIU hotels at Ponta Preta
- Dutch, French or German speakers who want lessons in their own language
Think twice if you are
- Riders who want the busy scene and beach restaurants of Kite Beach
- Anyone who needs an IKO or VDWS card: ask the school before booking
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about Kite & Tonic
Where is Kite & Tonic on Sal?
On the beach in front of the Riu Funana hotel at Ponta Preta, at the southern tip of Sal, with its office next to the diving centre. The address is Cabocan Lote A2, A3, Santa Maria, and the RIU Palace Santa Maria is about 800 m away.
How much is a kitesurf course at Kite & Tonic?
On the price list on the school's website (read in October 2026, no year shown), the 11-hour beginner course costs €365 per person in a group of up to two, a 3-hour introduction €90 and two private hours €120. Confirm prices with the school when you book.
Does Kite & Tonic teach at Kite Beach?
No. The school avoids the crowds of Kite Beach and teaches on the flat RIU beach in front of its office, from its own boat. It does run downwinders from Kite Beach back to the school, with the boat following.
Is Kite & Tonic IKO certified?
The school says its team is made up of certified European instructors, but its website does not name IKO or VDWS. If you need an IKO or VDWS card at the end of your course, ask the school before you book.
Which languages do the instructors speak?
Dutch, French, English, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and Cape Verdean Creole, according to the school. The owner, Anthony, teaches in Dutch, French, English, basic German and Spanish.
When is the best time for lessons at Kite & Tonic?
The school's season runs from October to mid or late June, with the most wind from January to mid-April. July to September is the least windy period.
Can I store my own kite gear at Kite & Tonic?
Yes. Storage for two kites or sails and a board costs €40 a week or €70 for two weeks, and the school offers rescue in front of its beach for €30 a time if you ride your own gear.
Sources
Last checked October 2026
- Kite & Tonic (official site)
- Kite & Tonic: prices (official)
- Kite & Tonic: learning to kitesurf (official)
- Kite & Tonic: the kite spots (official)
- Kite & Tonic: directions and FAQ (official)
- Kite & Tonic: Dutch home page (official)
- Kite & Tonic: downwinder (official, in French)
- Google Maps: Kite & Tonic
- Island Kite School: the beach in front of the RIU Cabo Verde (official)
We only publish facts we could confirm with the official website or two independent sources. Spotted something out of date? Write to info@kitesurf.holiday.