To unearth Peru’s treasures follow the Pan-American Highway north from Lima, mainly threading inland with the occasional spectacular glimpse of the Pacific. At Km 572 is Huanchaco, where they still make the traditional 'totora’ boats today. Good waves can almost always be found on the impressive point-break – and with a bit of luck, enough wind too. If not the 'adobe’ clay cities of Chan Chan, capital of the kingdom of Chimú, are well worth a visit anyway. The wind potential rises noticeably further north. Milagro is a lonely spot with unusual cross-onshore conditions, while the point of Chicama genuinely claims the world’s longest wave. The wind’s very gusty and the waves rarely bigger than 2.5m, but rides up to 1.5km are possible in a good swell! Despite this insane wave Chicama remains a dusty forgotten town – unlike the area’s hotspot, Pacasmayo. It’s a well-developed place so provides a good place to stay. Surfers get in at 'El Faro' lighthouse, kiters and windsurfers a little further downwind. Even small swells deliver good waves, and the wind builds to 12-20 knots in the afternoons too (S is cross to cross-off). In big winter swells (Apr-Jul) mast-high, kilometre-long rides are possible. In N swell the waves are shorter but still pack plenty of punch. If there’s neither waves nor wind on the Pacific, Peru’s second largest dammed reservoir at 400,000,000m³ Represa Gallito Ciego offers flat freshwater and a reliable 15-25 knot thermal on the north bank. Back on the coast, urban Chiclayo Pimentel has a fun beach-break that works best when the swell’s not too big. Further north it’s worth a detour off-road to the remote world-class waves of Nunura. Unfortunately it doesn’t work as well since they started farming Jacob’s mussels here, but there’s camping nearby at Bayóvar. In contrast, the endless sandy beach of Colan is a gentle beginner’s venue with almost onshore wind. In Piura Province, almost as many outstanding breaks line the coast as offshore oilrigs. The point-break Negritos on the northern edge of Punta Parinas is rarely visited. Access is via Talara, where an A-frame breaks over sand. Mornings are still and afternoons windy. Baterias is an option in south-easterly wind, but the area’s real highlight is Lobitos – the spectacularly powerful, long, super-quick left-hander up to 3m with cross-offshore wind that stars in the Cabrinha video 'Catalyst’. Originally a US military base in the Second World War, the little village is still inhabited by Peruvians today but parts of it are like a dusty scene from a spaghetti western: deserted buildings, howling wind, burning sun and vultures circling overhead. Tres Cruces is a wonderful beach with similar conditions, even if the waves aren’t quite as long. The point-break south of the fishing village El Nuro also gets good winds, while Los Organos ('The Organ Pipes’) was named after the sound of the wind blowing over the cliffs. Kiters can start a downwinder from the village, passing the white sandy beach of Vichayito and natural reef-pools at Pocitas Beach to finish round Mancora Point. An average day here delivers shoulder-high waves, and it soon gets busy. With 4,500 inhabitants, the village makes a good base for exploring the north – and with relaxed beach life, shops, restaurants and a chill-out bar it’s also great for non-surfers. 2km from the point there’s flat water in a Lagoon that’s sheltered from open ocean by dunes.

This long sandy beach is speedsailing and freestyle nirvana. The Nortada blows strongest and most reliably in this part of the Algarve – it’s bolt offshore here, flattening every ripple. The wind is therefore a little gusty inshore, but you can stand up quite a way out on lower tides. Gets busy on the beach and in the water in high summer – although when it's windy the swimmers and sunbathers get sandblasted away! Winter’s a completely different story: north-east to south-easterly Levante means chaotic waves and strong currents – it stays sailable for a couple of days before the seas get too rough.

From Mundau it’s just a few miles to the small town of Baleia. You can launch comfortably at low tide downwind of the fishing boats, although at high tide the water floods up to the palm trees. There’s around 150m of standing-depth water at low tide, with gentle waves breaking outside. Driving along the CE 168 you’ll pass Lagoa Mato – not a 'real’ spot, but perfectly rideable, at least on the windward half of the lagoon. Icarai di Amontada is accessible via the state road which threads inland, but it’s far easier to take a 4x4 straight along the beach from Baleia. The little village is gradually developing – alongside four or five nice 'pousadas’ to stay at, there’s a Clube dos Ventos centre (the top dog in Jeri). The water’s nice and flat in the bay with windswell breaking further out off the headland. Moitas is a rustic little fishing village on Rio Aracatiacu. The river has built up large sandbars from sediment in its estuary. They submerge at high tide, creating a huge flat-water playground with consistent wind. Alternatively, there’s fun to be had in the wind-waves right in front of the village. From Moitas it’s best to drive back towards Icarai, then follow the state highway to Praia do Torres. The direct route through the mangrove forests should only be attempted with a local guide and 4x4, and then only in dry season! But it’s still awkward, involving several 'barcas’ ferry crossings. The Rio Aracati-Mirim estuary offers flat water and the usual Atlantic chop further out. The road north-west is very good, so Praia do Torroes is a popular alternative to Praia da Barra, since at low tide the shipping channel between the mainland and the 5km long sandbar of 'Ilha Grande’ shrinks to about 30m on a fierce tidal current. At high tide there’s at least 400m of water. At the moment there are just a few quaint pousadas offering beds and 'barracas’ to eat at, but the area is earmarked for huge developed and marketing by foreign investors. The low tide alternative is Praia do Farol in the nearby river estuary where there’s always enough water. There’s similarly sheltered flat water downwind of a large sandbar at Espraiado, although it’s only reliable Sep-Feb as during rainy season the river can begin to wash the sandbar away. It’s a lovely atmosphere in front of mangrove forests, but there’s no infrastructure whatsoever. Either follow the coast there via Praia do Farol, or take the 'Juritianha’ exit off the state highway CE 085. Praia do Apoeiras is Acaraú’s local beach. High tide floods up to the barracas on the beach and the water’s standing-depth for almost 2km, but it ebbs just as far at low tide. The bay of Preà extends over 20km from Barrinha to Jericoacoara. Barrinha is shallowest at low tide with a larger standing-depth area (about 200m), but the region’s hotspot is the 2,000-strong fishing village of Preà. Ride either side of the 'Pedra Baleia’ rocks (at low tide it’s standing-depth with no shorebreak) or launch here for an amazing 15km downwinder into the sunset. Kites need to steer clear of the point at Jericoacoara though, as this long-running little gem of a wave is reserved for windsurfers. Jeri’s a magical place without any paved roads, built right into the sand in the middle of the eponymous national park. The landing for kiters is downwind of the famous dune where everyone gathers for sunset. The wind’s offshore here though, only turning cross-shore again further west, so kite schools drive all the way round to Mangue Secco. The delta at Guriu offers even flatter water, filling up at high tide to standing-depth throughout. Camocim also has perfect flat water in the Rio Coreau delta opposite town. It’s also perfectly flat at Lagoa da Torta in Tatajuba and the crystal-clear Lagoa Azul south of Preà, although the wind’s much gustier on these non-tidal lagoons than along the coast.

Starting down south, the first sailable spot is La Digue by the port in St Pierre. Great jumping and one or two quick turns for windsurfers, but getting caught in a big set has serious consequences as the waves wash onto a harbour wall strewn with rocks. On the waterfront right next to the police station is the island’s windiest kite spot, La Gendarmerie. In front of the little sandy beach is 200m of flat water and over the reef beyond, waves up to 5m that are only accessible through a small channel to the right at low tide. Just at the end of town is the island’s most frequently sailed spot, La Ravine Blanche. Strong sideshore winds with fast, hollow waves breaking over sharp and urchin-infested reef. It’s some of Réunion’s most challenging and rewarding riding, but hard on both equipment and body. Occasionally a rogue peak appears in the middle of the bay, offering a great jump-ramp. Again, there’s a very narrow margin for error with a precarious launch over the reef and a tricky exit via a tiny horseshoe inlet. 2km west of Ravine, Ti Paris is the island’s only beach-break with cross-onshore jumping and riding. A sandy seabed means mistakes aren’t punished as severely, but the shorebreak can be fearsome in bigger swells and the cloudy water provides a great shark habitat. L’Etang Sale is Réunion’s crown jewels, a great reef-pointbreak providing some of the highest performance riding imaginable in a beautiful setting. Clean open walls offer scope for effortless turns and all kinds of aerial manoeuvres. The wind is lighter here than further south, and there’s no jumping – just get out around the break then ride the waves back in. There's a wind shadow in front of the black sandy beach – while kiters can get out via the windier channel, windsurfers face a 50m swim (through a shorebreak on bigger days) to reach the windline. Either way, grovelling back in through the shorebreak is always risky. Beyond the next headland is Pointe au Sel, rarely sailed as it needs just the right tide, and for the wind to be blowing southerly enough. But when it’s on, it’s among the most radical breaks on the island, with fast, hollow left-handers peeling over super-shallow reef and a wind that blows side-offshore to the break – top class sailing for top class riders. North of the little town of St Leu is the surfing world’s famous left-hand barrel. It rarely works for windsports, but when it comes alive – maybe 10 times a year – it’s like nowhere else. A long peeling wave ends in a fast pitching barrel with a very punchy lip. The line-up is usually packed with surfers, and localism is fierce with so many vying for a ride on the infamous barrel, but the crowds disperse on windier days. Next stop is La Saline, a protected lagoon inside the reef up towards the town of St Gilles. Around 2m at its deepest, it’s great for learning, freestyle or freeride on the windier days. But watch the currents that run out to sea. Starting from La Saline kiters can try to catch some waves at nearby Trois Bassins, or Boucan Canot further north is a right-hander – and hence a candidate for north-easterly winds. A little further up, Finally, Le Port is predominantly flat water, but the wind is consistent and the blasting can be fun. It is notoriously sharky though.

Wissant is the region’s best wave spot in a south-westerly wind. There's an amazing atmosphere between two limestone capes here, a real Atlantic vibe – and it ranks amongst the top five high wind spots in the whole of France. The waves are best at high tide, although rip and shorebreak are also strongest then. The current can hit 11 knots, so the walk back upwind is a familiar sight! The left of the bay is dominated by windsurfers, kiters generally launch from the right – where everyone congregates at high tide as the beach disappears along the reinforced promenade. Wissant is popular with French, Belgian and German riders, so it gets pretty crowded on good days. Vans might still grab a motorhome spot in the car-park, or there's a campsite at the southern end of town.

The long beach of 'Cabedelo' opposite Viana do Castelo is probably North Portugal's most popular spot – and certainly one of the best. With its thermal turbo-boost, the Nortada regularly reaches 25 knots so it's often busy on the water. Cross to cross-offshore wind combined with more than 2m of W swell generates classy waves over a hard sand seabed. However, wave quality and power recedes with the tide and it tends to close out when it's big. Viana is often just a freeride area though – the water's super-flat by the large harbour wall, and in summer the waves often disappear further south too. Parking is behind the breakwater, about 400m from the water – windsurfers tend to launch further south at the campsite. There a few rocks in the water, so watch your fins.

Bonares is mainly a SUP and surf spot, but the quality of waves breaking on the sand also attract quite a few locals to windsurf or kite. The onshore wind is gusty and a little weaker inshore due to the dunes.

The best option for south-westerlies as the waves get biggest here. The natural vibe of the windswept, weathered pine forest lasts all the way to the water. The width of the beach (and amount of driftwood!) varies with the intensity of winter storms. Park right at the spot, overlooking the water.

A bit north of the popular tourist town Puerto Princesa, a reef about half a kilometre off Emerald Playa protects flat standing-depth water on the inside from the small waves outside. Windy season is November to April, most reliable December and January, although it's usually just moderately breezy with the occasional 20+ knot day.

The satellite town of IJburg and its artificial sand-spit, only recently reclaimed from the IJmeer, soon became popular amongst Amsterdam's windsurfing community. This easy-going freeride and slalom spot works in pretty much any wind with a northerly component, NW allows long blasts towards the horizon of the IJ lake. Only gets choppy in stronger N or NE. There's a windsurf school and rentals right at the spot, paid parking nearby, and the city tram stops just 500m from the beach. Loads of beachgoers and some weed in the summer.

The bay in front of Alghero certainly has a split personality. During Mistral (or moderate west to southerly winds) it provides nice freeride conditions, protected by the craggy 'Capo Caccia’. Just watch out for the breakwaters, and rocks near the small island of 'Maddalenedda’. In south-south-westerly storms, Neptune turns up the heat – one of Sardinia’s biggest waves offers perfect cross-off conditions 800m offshore on a reef north of the island. Incredibly good, but sadly all too rare.