Cuyo, Palawan, is a Philippine island in the Sulu Sea, situated between Puerto Princesa and Iloilo. Cuyo is the principal island in a group known as the Cuyo Islands.

Also forming part of the Cuyo Islands are the exclusive Amanpulo Island Resort, and its neighbour the beautiful but remote Manamoc island. On request, CWA can arrange kiteboarding trips to Manamoc depending on the weather, tide and wind conditions.

For more info: About Cuyo Island

Amihan (Dec-March) is Cuyo’s dry season. Temperatures are generally in the mid to late twenties and a cool sea breeze makes this season the most comfortable.

Habagat (July-Sept) is Cuyo’s wet season so the climate is hot and humid with frequent heavy rains. Temperatures often reach the mid thirties around this time.

For more info: Cuyo Weather

No, and card payments are also not currently accepted anywhere on the island. Bring cash! There are several banks on the island but they only service local account holders. At present, the only way for a foreigner to get cash is via a Western Union transfer. CWA, however, can accept payment for courses, merchandise and activities through Paypal or via a bank transfer.

For more info: Facilities on Cuyo

Cuyo enjoys one of the lowest crime rates in the whole of the Philippines, and crimes against tourists are extremely rare.

The risk of injury and accident, however, is universal, especially for those engaging in an inherently hazardous sport like kiteboarding.

Kiters on Cuyo should be aware that as with the rest of the Philippines, medical resources on the island are limited. Cuyo has a hospital, several pharmacies and an airstrip for medical evacuations. Nevertheless, visitors are advised to bring ample supplies of any medicine or treatment they might require while on Cuyo, and to invest in a comprehensive medical insurance package before they travel.

For more info: Kiteboarding Safety

There are a number of pensions, small hotels, and guest houses around Cuyo Town, close to Capusan Beach. Anino Retreat is a comfortable resort on the opposite side of the island, overlooking Victoria/Quejano Beach kitespot.

For more info: Staying on Cuyo

Every year between December and February Cuyo experiences a steady North Easterly trade wind. Locally this season is known as the Amihan and it is the most popular time for kiteboarding in the Philippines. On Cuyo during this period the wind routinely blows somewhere between 17 and 35 knots.

During the months either side of the Amihan (October, November, March and April), some good winds can be expected, although they are usually lighter and less predictable, typically blowing somewhere between 13 and 25 knots.

July through to September is referred to as Habagat. Habagat is Cuyo’s wet season, when gusty typhoon winds blow from the South West. Kiteboarding is also possible during this time, but the conditions are less suitable for beginners or inexperienced kiters.

For more info: Wind and Weather on Cuyo

Kiteboarders in the 70-85kg range should bring a 10m kite, as well as a 12-13m kite for light days and a 7m kite for strong days. Strong days are more likely during the peak of the Amihan winds (December, January and February) while lighter wind days are more common early and late in the season (October, November, March, April) so the timing of your trip may influence what sizes you choose to bring.

For more info: Kiteboarding Gear

The water temperature averages between 22 and 26 degrees, so kiters rarely wear wetsuits on Cuyo, although appropriate sun protection is essential.

For more info: Kiteboarding Gear

Windguru provides upcoming wind forecasts for Cuyo, as does Wisuki. Wisuki also provides weekly tide timetables for the island.

For more info: Cuyo Wind, Weather, and Tide Forecasts

With a large uncrowded, unpolluted, flat, shallow water area and steady onshore and cross-onshore winds, Cuyo is indisputably one of the best spots in Asia to learn kiteboarding. CWA’s signature beginner kiteboarding course takes students from absolute beginner to board riding over the course of a week, depending on the student’s natural ability and the wind, weather and tide conditions.

For more info: CWA Beginner Kiteboarding Course

Any form of teaching on Cuyo is strictly prohibited unless authorised.  All lessons are to be taught by individuals with all necessary permits and rights to work.

It is the deep, flat water area between Capusan Beach sandbar and the pier that keeps the pro-riders coming back to Cuyo year after year; perfect for big air & freestyle, the spot is ever popular with Cuyo’s kiting elite.  Even during Cuyo’s lowest tides, the spot benefits from deep water.

On the opposite side of Capusan Beach, there is also flat water, albeit with some slight chop.  A 7km stretch of perfect upwind kiting, with almost endless space, the area is often used during the race portion of competition tours.

For more info: Water, Waves & Tide

Cuyo still receives relatively few visitors, so it’s common to find the water and beach completely deserted of other kiteboarders, especially earlier and later in the Amihan season and throughout Habagat.

January is the peak of the kiteboarding season on Cuyo, and although the Capusan Beach sandbar can sometimes get busy with kites at this time, the space on the water (upwind of Capusan especially) is expansive and rarely gets over-crowded.

For more info: Water on Cuyo

It is a well established fact that Jing does the best kite repairs on Cuyo, if not the whole of the Philippines, so most gear issues can usually be resolved on the island.  Replacement parts, however, are often in short supply so if you have space, bring spares!

For more info: Kiteboarding Gear

On Capusan Beach there are patches of large sea urchins at the edge of the reef, between the tip of the sandbar and the ferry marker. Kiters should try to avoid this area, especially at low tide. Shells and other sharp debris on the seabed can also cause injuries, so some kiters may choose to wear booties.

Quejano/Victoria Beach also has some sea urchins, although they are regularly removed by the team from Anino Retreat.

Stonefish are known to exist in the area, but are extremely rare.  There are sometimes a few jellyfish at certain times of year, but they usually only cause light stings.

For more info: Hazards & Safety

There are a number of other kiteboarding spots in the Philippines, including Boracay, Bagasbas, Coron, Pagudpud, Bohol, and Siargao.

For more info: Kiteboarding in the Philippines

Please check with your nearest Philippine embassy or consulate prior to travel. Most visitors do not require a special visa, with stays of up to 21 days granted on arrival, provided that a valid return or onward journey ticket can be presented, along with a passport valid for at least six months from date of entry.

Visas extensions can usually be obtained for a fee, valid from between 59 days up to six months.  To apply, visit an immigration office after arriving in the Philippines; the closest immigration offices to Cuyo are in Puerto Princesa and Iloilo.

Tagalog is the national language of the Philippines.  English is also an official language and is widely spoken throughout the country, although to variable standards.

On Cuyo and throughout many parts of Palawan,  a local dialect called Cuyonon is also used, in addition to Tagalog and English.  Cuyo was subject to a long period of Spanish occupation, and this has also had a notable influence on the local dialect.

It typically takes around 16 hours for an absolute beginner to progress to riding independently. All students learn differently though; some get there faster, and some take a little longer. How long it takes will depend on the conditions at the time, your natural ability, and any prior experience (either kiteboarding or another sport with transferable skills like snowboarding, surfing, or wakeboarding).

Read more here: Learning to Kiteboard

Again, this depends on the conditions at the time, as well as your own stamina and eagerness! Whilst it’s possible to learn to kiteboard in as little as a couple of days, most people choose to do only two or three hours each day and will take one or two rest days along the way.  In this case, a full 16 hour beginner course usually takes around a week to ten days to complete. As always, our instructors will tailor the course to suit your requirements.

Read more here: Learning to Kiteboard

All lessons are PHP 1500 per hour (approximately USD $30, depending on current exchange rates).  Students may take as many or as few hours of tuition as needed.

Read more here: Learning to Kiteboard

Yes, it includes all your kiteboarding gear, as well as helmets, buoyancy aids, booties, and sun protective clothing if required.

Read more here: Learning to Kiteboard

Once you’ve mastered kiteboarding independently, you may wish to progress to the next level by taking an advanced lesson.  CWA uses two-way bluetooth headsets which allow you to ride with your instructor and receive one on one real-time feedback and adjustments to your technique – In our experience, this is the best way for experienced riders to progress rapidly.

Read more here: Learning to Kiteboard

No, but it helps us to plan ahead if we know you’re coming.  If you wish to take lessons with CWA, please drop us a line at info@cuyowatersports.com, detailing your expected arrival and departure dates, any prior experience, and anything else you think might be relevant! After you arrive on Cuyo an instructor will assess your needs schedule your lessons accordingly.

Read more here: Learning to Kiteboard

As a rough guide, students can expect the following at each stage of progression:

1 – 3 hours: Learn the basics of wind and weather, how to assess your conditions and set up and use your equipment. Flying a specialised, short line, small kite on the beach, students will begin to master the essentials of kite control.

4 – 9 hours: Progressing to a full size kite, students will continue to improve their kite control both on land and in water.  They will perfect all their self-rescue skills, and take their first steps towards board riding

10 – 16 hours: Students will refine their kite control and riding skills, aiming to master upwind riding, coming to a controlled stop, and changing direction. They should gain the confidence, knowledge, and ability necessary to begin practising independently.

17 hours to forever: Continue refining your skills and technique.  Start landing jumps, or perfecting your unhooked triple whim-wham backslap… Kiteboarders never finish learning to kiteboard!

Read more here: Learning to Kiteboard