Wing Foil Lesson in Santa Maria Bay, Sal: Learn the Basics

Start on the beach, then fly above the ocean on a foil board

A wing foil lesson in Santa Maria Bay on Sal teaches you the basics of this hybrid sport that blends windsurfing and kitesurfing skills. Your instructor walks you through sail positions and steering on the beach, then guides you into the water to practice on a large board before progressing to the foil board that lifts you above the surface.

The experience

The lesson runs two hours and splits into two stages. You begin on the beach learning how the wing works: how to position the sail, how to get into the correct stance, and how to stop and turn. Your instructor demonstrates each movement and walks you through it before you take the wing in your hands. Once you've got the basics down, you head into the water with a large board designed to keep you stable as you learn to move upwind and downwind, and to turn toward the wind (a tack) and away from it (a gybe).

As you progress through the session, you'll move to the foil board: the one that actually lifts off the water. The skills you've already practiced transfer directly: the same steering, the same sail control, but now the board rises beneath you. That first moment of flight, when the board lifts and you're floating above the ocean, is what the progression builds toward. Sal's bay has the conditions and the space to make this work safely for someone starting from scratch.

All equipment is provided, and the instructor speaks English, Portuguese, or Italian. The water work happens in open water, so you need to be a confident swimmer and have at least a moderate level of fitness. Children are welcome from age 12.

What’s included

• All equipment for the lesson, including the wing, board, and safety gear.
• instruction from a live guide in English, Portuguese, or Italian.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (18 to 80 years) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Under 12: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Italian and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 17 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Surf Hub Cabo Verde

Is this one for you?You do the wing foiling yourself under live instruction, not watching a demonstration. This suits anyone who wants to learn a new skill hands-on and doesn't mind falling in the water a few times. The two-hour format keeps the session focused and manageable for a first attempt.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Italian and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years). Children under 12 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the difference between wing foiling and windsurfing or kitesurfing?

Wing foiling combines skills from both sports but uses a handheld wing instead of a fixed sail or a kite. You hold the wing in your hands, which gives you more direct control, and the foil board lifts you above the water once you've built enough speed and skill.

Do I need experience with water sports to learn wing foiling?

No. The lesson is designed for complete beginners, though people with windsurfing or kitesurfing backgrounds pick it up faster. Your instructor starts from the basics on the beach and moves to the water only when you're ready.

What happens if I fall off the board in the water?

Falling is part of learning, and it's safe. You're in open water, so you need to be a good swimmer, and the instructor stays with you throughout the lesson. The large board you start with is designed to be forgiving, and you'll practice getting back on and continuing.

Can I do this lesson if I've never been on a board before?

Yes. The two-hour lesson starts on the beach with no board at all, just the wing in your hands. You move to the water only after you've practiced the positions and movements on land, so you're not learning everything at once.