TOP KITESURFING SPOTS IN AFRICA

Africa holds some of the most terrific kitesurfing spots on the planet. For those kiters more adventurers, this continent has some of the most wildness kitesurfing spots. Kitesurfing in Africa is the perfect combination of good wind and unspoiled environment!

 Africa is a fascinating continent. Its vast extension means that, without leaving it, you can find a multitude of biomes and ecosystems, incredible landscapes and biodiversity like there is no other place on earth.

 Furthermore, another aspect that makes Africa so attractive is its multiculturalism. The large number of peoples that inhabit this huge continent generate a diversity of lifestyles, both urban, rural, and indigenous, each with their own artistic manifestations, beliefs, and rituals, which make them unique and enchant for their authenticity. all those who travel to know these places.

 For nature lovers, Africa has some of the most impressive natural spaces in the world. You can find vast deserts, jungles, forests, great mountain ranges and mountain peaks, volcanoes (some active), rivers, waterfalls, extensive valleys and plains or savannas. And of course, all these environments are also populated by all kinds of vegetation and animal species. Africa is the home of gorillas, lions, elephants, rhinos, giraffes, hippos, zebras or crocodiles … Touring its parks and nature reserves is a complete and unrepeatable experience. Furthermore, if you are in love with kitesurfing, you will be even more after kitesurfing in Africa!

 Do you want to know what are the most terrific kitesurfing spots in Africa? Oh yeah, you will be frozen after reading this ultimate guide about kitesurfing in Africa!

List with some of the best kitesurfing locations in Africa

Dakhla, Morocco

It is well known as one of the best kitesurfing destinations in Africa thanks to its perfect conditions of daily thermal wind, being on the edge of the Sahara desert, in combination with warm temperatures all year round and 50 kms of flat water lagoon.

Dakhla has been the No. 1 destination of the PKRA World Kitesurf Championship for 4 years. Many kitesurfing professionals travel to Africa at least a few times a year to train under the incredible conditions that the lagoon of Dakhla offers.

Dakhla has 2 well differentiated areas, the Lagoon and the Ocean. Dakhla Lagoon, in Western Sahara, is an oasis of beauty between the desert and the sea. Located in north-western Africa, this part of the Sahara is one of the least populated areas on Earth, and the 37-kilometer lagoon, separated from the sea by a dune system, offers a surprising variety of animal life.

In addition, it is the northernmost area where Atlantic gibbous dolphins can be found, as well as Morocco’s second center of winter bird migration. Here, chances are good that you will see red-billed gullies, grim gulls, and large gizzards.

The dilapidated and outdated town of Dakhla is basically made up of military barracks, with a few archaeological remains from its Spanish past. It is worth strolling along the beach to see traditional fishermen in their colorful boats, but other than that, only the lagoon is of interest.

On the other hand, fishing and tourism are the two most important commercial activities, but many lovers of strong emotions come here to enjoy water sports. The always pleasant temperature, combined with a regular wind, creates the ideal atmosphere for windsurfing, kite surfing and surfing. The novelty of practicing water sports in the desert is reason enough to visit this fantastic place in the Sahara.

In summary, the Dakhla lagoon is one of those unusual destinations in the world that one must visit throughout his life. Once there, you will enjoy a lot and will leave you with many memories forever. That´s the reason why Dakhla is on the top of our best kitesurfing destinations in Africa!

El Gouna, Egypt

El Gouna is located on the west coast of the Red Sea. There is no town as such, but it is a private set of resorts, hotels, villas and apartments built in the middle of a lagoon area and several marinas. The village services are managed by the company that builds the buildings (Orascom), and has its own security service. Unlike other places in Egypt, here you can walk at any time of the day or night and they do not harass you to go into stores, hire a guide or give them money for any reason: it is a safe town and “hassle- free ”. We can say that among our list about the best kitesurfing spots in Africa, El Gouna is the more “posh destination”

Kite safaris take place on the islands north of El Gouna and on the islands in front of Hurghada. Places where it can only be accessed by boat since many of them are several hours away from the coast. They are virgin and wild beaches where almost nobody arrives and with constant winds, a true paradise for kitesurfing.

All spots have shallow lagoons – depending on the tides – with access to the open sea. If the wind is strong, the raiders usually sail inside the lagoons, since the sea remains flat and very high speeds are reached.

Cape town –  Langebaan – South Africa

Every kiter at least once in their life should travel to Cape Town, the mecca of the kite world where the best kitesurfers from around the world meet. Brands and professionals from the world of kite travel to Cape Town to train and test the new materials that will hit the market and it is where the Red Bull King of the Air is held in Blouberg, the best kiters in the world challenging the forces of nature with jumps and impossible maneuvers. Cape town, South Africa = the mecca of kitesurfing for “Big Air”

Cape Town is famous for its strong and steady wind from December to February. Also the months of November and March can be good since there are usually fewer people in the water and there may be very good windy days. The wind blows around five days a week between 20 and 40 knots starting from 10am and rising steadily until 4pm where it reaches its peak.

There are a multitude of beaches and spots to explore along the 15 km coastline that stretches from south to north, starting at Sunset Beach and continuing to Big Bay or even more for the more adventurous. These collections of sandy beaches provide very good opportunities for downwinds.

The weather is very good. During the day a temperature between 20 and 30 degrees perfect to go to the beach with your bikini or swimsuit and flip flops although the water is cool. At night temperatures drop and you will need long pants and a sweatshirt. The sun beats a lot and it is important to use sun cream.

The water temperature is quite cold, you will need a 4 or 5 mm wetsuit. Platboom is located in the Cape of Good Hope National Park. An idyllic landscape with white sand, crystalline sea, surrounded by thickets. In Platboon, you will first find waves but once you pass this phase the sea is flat and any point is good to navigate.

 Langebaan is another great kitesurfing spot in South Africa

Langebaan it is situated about 130km from Cape Town. Its lagoon is part of the West Coast National Park, so in addition to practicing water sports, it can be combined with activities such as safaris, whale watching, bird watching or bike and horse routes to enjoy its splendid nature.

The flat water spot and shallow areas make it an ideal destination for beginners. You can also do downwinds for those with more experience from Shark Bay and Kraalbaai or go in search of waves to other spots an hour or so away such as Swartriet or Yzerfontein.

Diani Beach, Kenya

Diani Beach is the most exotic kitesurfing location in Asia! Diani Beach is 1h30 from Mombasa and is the main and most famous kitesurf spot in Kenya. It is an extensive beach of fine white sand where you can enjoy all the blue tones that the Indian Ocean possesses. There are not enough words to praise all the beauty of this corner of the African east coast. The reef keeps the waves at a great distance from the beach, making them ideal conditions for learning, intermediate or Freestyle. Those who want a little more wave can approach the reef.

There are 2 winds depending on the wind season.

The Kaskazi makes an appearance from December to April. They are usually 10 to 14 knots in the morning and up to 20 knots in the afternoon. They are optimal conditions for learning,

Diani Beach is the quintessential meeting point for kitesurf lovers and amateurs. On your visit to Kenya, you can put your kite at the disposal of the capricious winds that gently sweep the area, in order to experience the adrenaline of a sport that will make you fly in every sense of the word. With temperatures approaching 30ºC and bathed in waters averaging 27ºC, the Diani Beach area receives two types of winds that you are surely not used to:

Kasaki: with possibilities of reaching 20 knots (37.04 km / h) after noon, this wind visits the coastal area between December and April, providing the best time to indulge in kitesurfing adventure tourism.

Kuzi: from June to September the waves increase in size and the kitesurfing experts find their heyday in the year to put their skills and stunts into practice

Bilene, Mozambique

Mozambique is another kitesurfing destination in Africa. Bilene is one of the best kite spots in Mozambique and Africa as a whole. It is a pretty little seaside resort, located on a beautiful turquoise lagoon directly connected to the Indian Ocean. An attractive kite destination in a region untouched by mass tourism. To locate you, Bilene is in the north-east of the capital Maputo, around an hour and a half away. Further south is Durban in South Africa, and even further south / southwest is Cape Town. Mozambique is a former Portuguese colony, although many dialects are spoken there, Portuguese is the official language. In Bilene, the beaches are magnificent, the waters are crystal clear, beyond the interior lagoon, it is the ocean and its waves, against a backdrop of fabulous African landscapes.

The water is hot. You mainly sail in lycra, and if the south wind blows strongly, then a shorty can keep warm the most chilly. The lagoon offers a shallow flat water body, 1 meter by hundreds of square meters. The constant and regular trade winds blow in thermal almost every day, between 12 and 15 knots, but when it goes south, it strengths up to 25 knots and more. You navigate on several flat spots, and you reach the waves by the ocean. The nights can sometimes be “cool”, bring a sweatshirt or long-sleeved t-shirt to be comfortable. Mozambique is also an excellent diving destination.

The best kitesurf spots in Mozambique are the magnificent Lagoon of Bilene and Punta de Ouro. What is the best period for a kitesurfing trip on the Bilene spots in Mozambique?

The best time to come and enjoy a kitesurfing vacation in Bilene is between October to April and between August and September. The Bilene kite spot is swept by constant and regular trade winds which blow thermally between 12 and 15 knots almost every day. When it heads south, it can force up to 25 knots and more. The water is warm (between 23 and 28 degrees) and the air fresh, all the conditions for a heavenly kitesurf trip in Mozambique! All levels of kitesurfing are fun on the Bilene spots in Mozambique. Downwind on the lagoon, freestyle, waves in the Ocean, all kite lovers are in paradise in Mozambique for a course in Bilene or a trip.

Zanzibar, Tanzania

Zanzibar is one of the most beautiful destinations for a kite trip in Africa. June, July, August, September, December, January and February are the best months for kiting on the Jambiani spot. 25/30… These are the temperatures in degrees Celsius for the year of air and water in Zanzibar. 10/25… It’s the force of the wind in knots. 9 to 15 m2… Are the wings used to sail in Zanzibar. 1000/1… represents the 1000 and one wonders that you will discover on the African continent as well as the thousand scents and spices of Zanzibar! The village (and kite spot) of Jambiani is located south of Zanzibar in Tanzania. It is a fabulous kitesurf destination where wind, lagoons and reefs mix, flat water or waves, vibrant colors and translucent at the same time. The Jambiani lagoon is immense, offering a varied playground; the east coast also allows you to make superb downwinds…

But Zanzibar is also a discovery destination in Africa for kitesurfing with magnificent landscapes, heavenly beaches, palm trees and lush tropical vegetation, fishing villages, an incredible wealth of flora and fauna, a magnificent city to visit made of palaces, small streets, mosques, shops, scents and spices.

The best kitesurf spots in Zanzibar, Africa are Jambiani and Paje.

The best months for a kitesurfing stay or course in Zanzibar, Africa are June, July, August, September, December, January and February. Zanzibar is an exceptional kitesurfing destination for all practitioners, from beginners to experts. Lagoons, reefs, there is something for lovers of downwinds or waves, in the heart of paradisiacal landscapes between white sand and translucent waters. In Zanzibar there is wind between 10 and 25 knots, temperatures between 25 and 30 degrees for air and water. No doubt, in Zanzibar you have a dream spot for your kitesurf trip.

Alcati, Turkey

Did you know that in Turkey you can find a super nice kite spot in Africa? Yeah! Kitesurfing in Alcati is the best option if you travel to Turkey

The town of Alacati is known as the St. Tropez of Turkey for its numerous cafes, restaurants and exclusive terraces. This Mediterranean air has it without losing the acclaimed Turkish hospitality and its traditional landscape full of vineyards and stone houses.

Just 5 km from the center of the old town is a bay that is the main spot for windsurfing throughout Turkey for its crystal clear waters and constant wind. The sailing conditions are ideal for both beginners and lovers of freeride, speed and freestyle.

Our top pick kitesurfing spot in Africa!

Madagascar

Madagascar is the diamond of kitesurfing in Africa! Believe me, you don´t wanna end this life without being in Madagascar.

Madagascar is the biggest island in Africa and the fourth largest island in the world, with a predominantly tropical climate and extensive biodiversity, where almost all fauna and flora are endemic and characterized by unique colors and shapes only present in this part of the planet. Also called “The Red Island”, Madagascar is known for its hospitality and kindness of its people: more than 18 tribes make up the mosaic of ethnic groups that inhabit the country. In addition to the extraordinary sailing conditions, the trip to Madagascar itself is already an adventure. An island full of old pirate stories and paradises lost to be discovered and enjoyed.

In the north of the country there are more reliable wind conditions for navigation, where the Emerald Sea stands out, which is one of the most unknown wind points for navigation but without a doubt one of those unexploited paradises that still remain in the world.