Kite school · Fuerteventura, Spain
René Egli: Kitesurf School on the Sotavento Lagoon, Fuerteventura
The only school licensed to teach in the Sotavento lagoon: semi-private courses from €205, jet-ski rescue and North gear, in the garden of two beach hotels.
- Only school licensed in the lagoon
- IKO centre
- Jet-ski rescue and lifeguards
- Open 365 days a year
In short
René Egli has taught on Sotavento beach since 1984 and opened Fuerteventura's first kite school in 2000. Its kite centre sits in the palm garden of Paradisus by Meliá Fuerteventura and ZEL Fuerteventura, directly at the lagoon, and it is the only school licensed to teach in it. Courses are semi-private, two students per instructor, on North gear, from 15 years and 50 kg: in the lagoon when it is full, at sea with jet-ski support otherwise.
The prices on the school's website (October 2026) start at €205 per person for 3 hours, €395 for 6 hours and €750 for 12 hours, paid on site; a private 2-hour lesson costs €270 with gear. Lifeguards in supervision towers and jet skis cover the water, and the centre opens every day of the year. The wind is side-offshore and strong in summer, so this is a spot to ride with the school's rescue, not alone.
At a glance
School Fit
- Certifications
- IKO centre; international licences and level checks
- Group size
- Semi-private courses: 2 students per instructor; private on request
- Rescue / Safety
- Lifeguards in towers on 2-hour shifts, jet-ski rescue
- Season and hours
- Open 365 days a year; 10:00 to 18:00 (Google listing)
- Equipment
- North kites (3 models, 17 sizes) and North boards (10 models, 27 sizes)
- Level
- Beginner (A1) to advanced (F2), from 15 years and 50 kg
- Languages
- Multilingual instructors; English guaranteed
- Guest rating
- 4.0/5 on Google (710 reviews), 4.6/5 on the IKO site, 3.7/5 on TripAdvisor (547)
Verified with René Egli's official website and Google listing, Meliá's René Egli pages, the IKO centre finder, Severne's interview with the centre, Sportif and TripAdvisor · Updated October 2026
See the place
Video and Instagram
Welcome to René Egli Fuerteventura - Windsurf, Wing-Foil & Kitesurf Holidays in Paradise since 1984
The centre's own welcome film from Sotavento, with drone shots of the tidal lagoon, the beach and the two Meliá hotels next to the centre.
Video: René Egli Fuerteventura on YouTube
Wind forecast
7-day wind forecast at Sotavento (René Egli)
Updated 2 Nov, 11:47
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Semi-private course, 2 students per instructor (levels A1 to F2) | 3 h | €205 |
| Semi-private course, 2 students per instructor | 6 h (2 × 3 h) | €395 |
| Semi-private course, 2 students per instructor | 9 h (3 × 3 h) | €585 |
| Semi-private course, 2 students per instructor | 12 h (4 × 3 h) | €750 |
| Advanced Pool: supervised practice with school gear, up to 4 per instructor | 3 h / 6 h / 9 h | €160 / €285 / €390 |
| Private lesson with board, kite and accessories | 2 h | €270 |
| Private lesson without kite equipment | 2 h | €240 |
| Kite rental (North kites and boards, with rescue cover) | 1–2 h / 1 day | €90 / €110 |
| Kite rental | 6 days / 7 days | €443 / €502 |
| Storage of your own gear, with rescue and fresh water | 6 days / 7 days / 14 days | €129 / €153 / €259 |
Prices per person, paid on site, as published on the school's website in October 2026 (the list itself carries no year). Paying the invoice a week before arrival saves 5%. Courses depend on the wind and your progress; rental and storage require upwind riding (IKO level 3K). Confirm prices with the school when you book.
Choose
Which course is right for you?
- Never kited: book the semi-private course from level A1. The school's levels run A1 (equipment knowledge), A2 (first water starts), F1 (better water starts) and F2 (controlled riding and going upwind).
- Booking 12 hours ahead from level A1: the beginner combi adds 3 hours of Advanced Pool, usable once you can water start (subject to availability).
- Riding but not yet upwind: the Advanced Pool, supervised practice with up to four students per instructor, bridges the gap between lessons and rental.
- Independent riders: rental and storage need you to ride upwind under control (IKO level 3K); rental includes rescue cover and the use of SUP boards.
- Improvers and foilers: private 2-hour lessons cover jumps, foil and strapless riding.
- Camps: Kite City and Sun & Fun run German-language kite camps here in March 2027, 6 days with up to 5 hours of training a day, €730 with gear.
The spot
Wind and conditions at the station
The centre sits in what René Egli calls the Sotavento wind funnel: the north-east trade wind is squeezed between two ridges behind the beach, then speeds up again over the sea, so it is often stronger here than elsewhere on the island. It blows side-offshore over flat water or chop, strongest from June to September, and it can be gusty close to the hotels.
Around full and new moon, high tide fills the lagoon behind the sandbank: up to 4 km long and 200 m wide, and 35 to 85 cm deep for a couple of hours either side of high water. Lessons then move into the lagoon, where René Egli holds the exclusive teaching licence it bought in 2012, with a free shuttle to its deepest part. The school publishes a lagoon timetable for 2026. On other days you ride the open sea in front of the centre. More about the season in our Fuerteventura kitesurf guide.
Safety
Safety and equipment
Lifeguards work two-hour shifts in manned supervision towers and coordinate rescues with the centre's jet skis. Rescue is included for the school's students, renters and storage customers; the school reserves the right to charge €100 per rescue to outside riders or riders below the required level, and it accepts no liability for private equipment.
Lessons use the latest North kites and boards, and every course includes a wetsuit, life vest and helmet, plus equipment insurance. Renters choose a board from 10 North models in 27 sizes (the Fixboard system, exchangeable with the wind) and kites from 3 North models in 17 sizes.
On site
Facilities and atmosphere
- A wind-protected spot in the hotels' palm garden, directly at the lagoon
- Launch and landing helpers on the wide sandy beach, and compressed air for your kite
- Individually lockable storage boxes for your own gear
- Fresh-water showers, lockers, changing areas and toilets
- A beach bar with snacks, coffee and cold drinks, free WiFi and wind-protected sun beds (extra charge)
- The windsurf and wing foil centre about 200 m along the beach, and the René Egli Megastore inside the Paradisus hotel
Stay
Where to stay
Paradisus by Meliá Fuerteventura, the 5-star all-inclusive family resort that gives the school its address, is about 110 m from the kite centre. ZEL Fuerteventura, adults only from 16, is about 200 m away.
Paradisus by Meliá Fuerteventura
About 110 m, 2 min on foot to the kite station
5-star all-inclusive resort on Sotavento beach, the former Meliá Fuerteventura: kids club, pools with slides, kite centre about 110 m away.
ZEL Fuerteventura
About 200 m, 3 min on foot to the kite station
Adults-only (16+) hotel on Sotavento beach, formerly INNSiDE by Meliá: infinity pool, fitness classes, René Egli's kite centre about 200 m away.
Book
Contact and booking
Book courses, rental and storage on the school's website, by email at info@rene-egli.com or by phone on +34 928 54 74 83 (kite desk: +34 669 88 59 83). Paying the invoice a week before arrival saves 5%; otherwise the on-site prices apply. Check the lagoon timetable before you book if you want lagoon lessons.
Our take
Our verdict
Great for
- Beginners who want lagoon lessons with jet-ski rescue
- Riders staying at Paradisus or ZEL who want rental and storage at the door
- Strong-wind freeriders and freestylers who want a big, well-equipped centre
Think twice if you are
- Children under 15 or riders under 50 kg
- Anyone who wants lagoon lessons on any date: the lagoon fills only around spring tides
- Riding alone without rescue: the wind is offshore
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about René Egli by Meliá
How much does a kitesurf course cost at René Egli Fuerteventura?
The school's website (October 2026) lists semi-private courses at €205 per person for 3 hours, €395 for 6 hours, €585 for 9 hours and €750 for 12 hours, paid on site. A private 2-hour lesson costs €270 with gear, and paying a week before arrival saves 5%.
Where is the René Egli kite centre?
In the palm garden of Paradisus by Meliá Fuerteventura and ZEL Fuerteventura at Playa Barca, on Sotavento beach, about 3 km south of Costa Calma. The windsurf and wing foil centre is about 200 m along the beach.
Can I learn to kitesurf in the Sotavento lagoon?
Yes, when it is full. René Egli is the only school licensed to teach in the lagoon, which fills around high tide near full and new moon; on other days lessons take place at sea with jet-ski support. The school publishes a yearly lagoon timetable.
What is the minimum age for kite lessons at René Egli?
Courses are for students from 15 years old and at least 50 kg. Rental and storage of your own gear require you to ride upwind under control (IKO level 3K).
Is René Egli an IKO school?
Yes. René Egli is listed in the IKO centre finder, and the school offers level checks and international licences; its rental and storage rules use IKO levels.
Is rescue included at René Egli?
Yes for students, renters and storage customers: lifeguards in supervision towers coordinate jet-ski rescues. The school may charge €100 per rescue to outside riders or riders below the required level.
Can I store my own kite at René Egli?
Yes. The kiteboarding service package covers storage, spot supervision, rescue and fresh water: €129 for 6 days, €153 for 7 days and €259 for 14 days on the October 2026 website, for upwind riders from 15 years.
When is René Egli open?
Every day of the year. Its Google listing shows the centre open from 10:00 to 18:00.
Sources
Last checked October 2026
- René Egli (official site)
- René Egli: kite centre (official)
- René Egli: kite courses and prices (official)
- René Egli: kite rental and storage prices (official)
- René Egli: rescue service (official)
- René Egli: the Sotavento lagoon (official)
- René Egli: wind statistics and wind funnel (official)
- René Egli: history (official)
- René Egli: Kite City Camp 2027 (official)
- IKO centre finder: René Egli
- Meliá: René Egli by Meliá (official partner page)
- Severne: René Egli location feature (the centre's answers)
- Sportif: Sotavento lagoon spot guide
- Google Maps: René Egli Fuerteventura
- TripAdvisor: René Egli Fuerteventura
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.