The wind on the East Coast spots is port tack onshore to side-onshore. The waves are usually not too powerful and the spots are safe.
When there is no swell but medium to strong wind, this coast can catch some rather good wind swell. Generally the conditions are more or less like Europe… But with sun, turquoise warm water and trade winds!
Flash Map
Until recently this coast was not ridden. It’s probably because there is already a lot of side shore and side-off shore spots elsewhere on the island, but also because there are some sharks here. After a few years of water-starting on these beaches, we now know that there is no danger and that sharks prefer fish and turtles! But even if there has never been an accident, you do need to be aware and take the necessary precautions, like not going in to the water after it starts to get dark or when you are bleeding!
At these spots you may well encounter turtles. They used to come on to the beach to lay their eggs but more often you will see them in the water.
| Wave Quality | Wind Quality | Difficulty | Consistency | Crowded | |
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| 1. Cabessa de Salinas |  |
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| 2. Upwind Cabessa | |
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| 3. Sierra Negra | |
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1. Cabessa de Salinas
Before being ridden this beach was referred to as Shark Bay. It is now known as Kite Beach, partly because it is a less scary name but also because there are a lot of kite surfers here, but its real, local name is Cabessa de Salinas or Cabessa for short.
Several years ago, people used to put marks on the dune to be able to easily locate the place. Now it is no longer necessary because there is a large ap in the dune and a track to get there. Any taxi or pickup will know how to take you there. If you are on your own you will still be able to find the place easily as there is almost always someone there.
The spot is just in front of a reef. When the tide is low, there is almost no water on it so be careful! The waves are just downwind of the reef. When the waves are bigger it can be difficult to pass them. Take a bigger sail and stay right next to the reef. The more you go downwind, the more you may have problems going through the waves. When the waves are even bigger the best conditions are at high tide when the waves are cleaner.
The waves are a way out from the beach, which lets you get up to maximum speed before you get to them. This makes Cabessa a great place for jumping. When the wind is stronger, it usually comes from the North. It’s more side shore so front-side surfing is easier but the reef area is then protected by the mountain and the wind is more irregular.
In spring and autumn when swells are less frequent but the wind is sometimes strong, Cabessa can be a very good spot and offer you some great wave riding sessions.
2. Upwind Cabessa
If you are afraid of sharing the spot with too many kiters or if you prefer to avoid the crowd, you should consider going a few kilometres north of Cabessa.
There is almost nothing there but a small house, which belongs to Ducas and his family (hence the Dubel name). The waves are usually smaller yet cleaner here than at Cabessa and the wind is more side shore. Unfortunately, as the place is closer to the mountain, the wind is not as strong and regular as Cabessa.
3. Sierra Negra
There are other spots on the North East coast, rarely ridden and some still waiting to be discovered. If you continue on the beach after Dubel you will arrive at Sierra Negra where there is a small island and a starting point for a free-riding session far away from civilisation. At this point you can’t continue along the coast any further and you have to retrace your steps to be able to head north again.
To explore the other spots on the East Coast you have to go by car to Pedra de Lume and then go south. You may not run into a world-class spot there but you will definitely find a spot where you will be alone with just your friends.