The desert wind "Calima" can be found in the Canary and Cape Verde Islands. Both archipelagos are located off the African coast at the height of the Sahara.
This sand wind is similar to the dry Sahara winds that sometimes exist in Europe.
Typical features are the slightly yellow veil in the sky and the very dry warm air. On strong days of Calima, the sky can become ocher. Occasionally the Spaniards also use the name Bruma Seca (dry fog) for this strong Calima.
The Calima originates in the Sahara, the largest desert in the world, located in the north of Africa. From the Sahara comes with the eastern current warm dry air that swirls fine sand dust over the desert. The constant high-pressure area over the Sahara further increases the temperature and speed of the wind and removes moisture in the air.
For us surfers on Fuerteventura is a typical feature of Calima, that once you leave the water form salt crystals on the skin or wetsuit, because the dry hot air very quickly dries body and wetsuit or board shorts.
But in addition to the fast drying of wet clothes, for us surfers especially something else characteristic of the Calima wind is interesting. The wind direction. The constant wind from the east and southeast ensures that wind is offshore on the west and north coasts. For every surfer, beginner or advanced, the clean and easy-to-read waves, which are the result of offshore wind, are a highlight.
So are the days of Calima just in summer days with clean little waves on the west coast of Fuerteventura. Not only other surfers envy us for these waves, but also all other Canary Islanders who do not spend a whole day in the water during the hot Calima days like us;)
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