Mitu & Djo Kite Surf School is a hybrid space at Kite Beach with lessons, rentals and a restaurant. It can work very well for beginners, but creates friction around prices, services and coexistence. It isn’t neutral: the experience depends greatly on who you meet and how you engage.
Arriving without being quite sure what you’re coming to
There are places in Sal where you know what to expect before you arrive. And then there are places like this one, where the name suggests one thing, Google Maps says another, and the reviews describe three different experiences at the same time. Kitesurf school, beach bar, restaurant, rental point, hangout for the day… everything coexists in the same space.
Mitu & Djo doesn’t present itself clearly. And here, that matters.
What it really is, without forcing it into a box
More than an “educational institution”, this works as an informal kite hub at Kite Beach, where kitesurfing is the core, but not the only element. There are lessons, equipment rental, storage, a restaurant, a bar and shared areas. For some people, that’s a plus. For others, it becomes a constant source of friction.
It can work very well for beginners who want to learn fast, with instructors who explain step by step and an environment where everything is close at hand. Many accounts mention rapid progress in just a few days, especially with specific instructors like Thomas or Gilson.
For experienced kitesurfers, the fit is more uneven.
What happens on the water… and what happens off it
On the water, opinions clearly split. On one side, students delighted with the teaching approach, patience and feeling of safety. On the other, harsh criticism about instructors staying on the beach, shouting, whistling, and an authoritarian attitude toward both students and other riders.
Off the water, the mood changes. The restaurant gets consistently good feedback: tasty food, vegan options, friendly staff and a pleasant atmosphere where people stay for hours. The beer is cold, the spot is spectacular, and for many, that alone justifies the visit.
You’re not just buying a lesson here. You’re buying into an ecosystem. And that has consequences.
Rhythm, services and friction points
The pace gets intense when there’s wind and people. Reviews repeatedly mention high prices, extra paid services (timed showers, expensive and not very secure lockers) and a feeling of “monopoly” at certain times of year, when it’s the only school operating at Kite Beach.
More serious criticism also appears: no visible rescue boat, low empathy in conflict management, and comments about misogynistic or aggressive behaviour from specific people in charge. They’re not the majority — but they’re too specific to ignore.
When it doesn’t work, it really weighs
When the experience goes wrong here, it doesn’t stay at “I didn’t learn much”. It turns into a bad atmosphere, arguments, a sense of insecurity or not being treated with respect. This is especially noticeable among experienced riders who expect cooperation on the water, not confrontation.
At the same time, some people come back year after year without considering any other option.
A few ideas before deciding
If you’re an absolute beginner, ask who your instructor will be before booking — it makes a real difference. If you’re an experienced kitesurfer, come with adjusted expectations about coexistence and unwritten rules. And if your plan is simply to spend the day, eat well and watch kitesurfing in a powerful spot, the place delivers.
An honest ending
Mitu & Djo Kite Surf School is not a neutral place. It’s intense, mixed, and highly dependent on who you meet and how you use the space. For some, it’s a complete paradise. For others, an experience they’d rather not repeat.
The wind never fails here.
What sometimes fails is harmony.
