Kitesurf at Icarai

The kite spot of Icarai de Amontada is located 2.5-3 hours drive from Fortaleza (190kms), in the north of Brazil.

It is a very quiet and welcoming fishing village. There are no massive resorts on this spot, just lovely small pousadas in Brazilian style.

After a few days in Icarai, you won’t want to leave!

The conditions at the spot are versatile: there can be beautiful ramps at the end of the bay as well as pretty flat areas further south.

There are also plenty of downwind opportunities and secret spots, as well as freshwater lagoons (such as the Moitas river).

The wind is strong at Icarai, and fairly consistent. However, be cautious of the wind shadow just in front of the village entrance: it’s better to move further north or south to kite.

For downwinds, it’s best to inquire with the locals on site. Buggies are often needed to reach the secret spots. It’s definitely worth the detour!

NB: Icarai de Amontada = Icaraizinho

Advantages:
– The village has maintained its authenticity despite development
– The tranquility that reigns in this place

Disadvantages:
– The spot accessible directly on foot is not the best
– Gusty winds in the bay

Kitesurfing conditions at Icarai:
The wind blows well at Icaraizinho, so it’s best to bring smaller sail sizes.

Icarai is a kitesurfing spot by the sea, which forms a bay. There are several practice spots, with more or less waves.
Inside the bay, the wind may be a bit gusty. This is normal, as the wind blows from the east, and the bay has the same orientation.
To find the best quality wind, there are several geographical options.
– Completely to the west of the Icarai bay, on the point, there is a lagoon that forms at low tide, with beautiful flat areas. To find this spot, take a buggy and head beyond the windmills towards Moitas.
– If you prefer to enjoy the luxury of riding in front of your pousada, you can kite in the Icarai bay. If you like calm waters, wait for low tide. When the tide rises, beautiful waves come into the bay for the joy of wave riders.
– Towards the east of the bay, there is a flat area, always at low tide, with a shallow area for freestyle enthusiasts.
– For wave professionals, there is also an excellent spot beyond the Icaraizinho bay. This is also where the wind blows the strongest.

How to get to Icarai:
Getting to Icarai de Amontada is very simple. You land in Fortaleza, and once there, you have two options. Either organize a transfer with the pousada waiting for you in the village of Icarai (to be arranged in advance), or rent a car (also in advance) from the trusted Localiza agency.
The journey takes about 2.5 hours on good quality roads (thanks to wind development).

What to do besides kitesurfing:
When you come to Icarai, it’s usually to practice the incredible sport of kitesurfing. But sometimes, and I can possibly understand, you may want to do something else.
Touristically, Icarai has developed well, and there are a few activities offered. You can take buggy or horseback rides on the beach, go paddleboarding on the river, or do yoga in a calm and relaxing environment.
In the evening, there are some beach bars and restaurants to go out a bit.

Our advice:
Icarai is a great spot if you want to find a peaceful environment for your kite trip. It is a destination particularly suitable for couples, families, even with children.
Once there, don’t just kite in the bay, and don’t hesitate to approach a kite school to discover the best spots around the village of Icaraizinho.