Santa Verónica, Colombia

About Santa Verónica

Santa Verónica sits on the Atlántico coast between Barranquilla and Cartagena, and it holds two very different pieces of water within a few kilometres of each other.

Puerto Velero is a sheltered bay of flat, shallow water — roughly a metre and a half deep on average — which makes it one of the best freestyle and progression spots on the Colombian coast, and a straightforward place to learn. Santa Verónica itself, and Salinas del Rey nearby, face the open Caribbean with waves of one and a half to three metres and side-onshore wind, which is experienced-rider water.

The season runs December to April, with wind averaging around 30 knots and capable of reaching 45 in the strongest weeks. Water is warm year-round and no wetsuit is needed.

It is forty-five minutes from Barranquilla and about an hour and a quarter from Cartagena, which makes it an easy addition to a trip built around the colonial city.

When to go

Best months: January, February, March, June, July, August, December.

Kite areas

2 distinct riding areas documented within this destination.

• Puerto Velero

  Best months: December, January, February, March, June, July, August.

• Santa Verónica

  Best months: December, January, February, March, June, July, August.