Kitesurfing in Kenia

Kenya with its vast savannahs, diverse wildlife, snow-capped peaks, mysterious mountain rainforests and gorgeous beaches is one of the most fascinating natural paradises on the African continent.

Much of the coast is offshored by a gigantic reef that protects it from the huge waves of the Indian Ocean and behind which form mirror-smooth lagoons that create ideal conditions for kite surfing. The most famous kite spot in Kenya is probably the Diani Beach in the south of the country. European kite schools and tour operators have settled on the white sandy beach and provide an ideal infrastructure for kite trips.

Wind and climate in Kenya
Recommended months for kite trips: January, February, July, August, September, December

Not recommended months for kite travel: April, May, October, November

The equatorial climate has only a moderate effect on Kenya. It is typically quite hot on the coasts, at up to 30 degrees Celsius, coupled with high humidity, which is rarely noticeable due to the sea wind. Kenya has two rainy seasons, from March to May and from November to December. From December to March the Kaskazi blows from the north-east. This wind is steady at about 20 knots and very warm. The stronger south trade wind with up to 30 knots is called kusi in Kenya. It occurs from June to September. Between the two wind seasons, the rain prevents kiting in Kenya. The best travel time for kite surfing and kite trips to Kenya is from December to February and from July to September.

Kenya combines a wide variety of cultures, fantastically white sandy beaches lined with palm trees and, last but not least, a diverse flora and fauna. Our recommendation is not limited to pure kite holidays on the most beautiful beaches, e.g. Galu Beach (quieter stretch of beach next to the well-known Diani Beach), but we also recommend safaris. The many national parks and protected areas are certainly the main attraction of Kenya. We have tested both for you! Our spot is located at Galu Beach, one of the most popular resorts in Kenya, right on the south coast, about 35km south of Mombasa. 18 kilometers of fine white sandy beach enchant thousands of holidaymakers from all over the world every year and yet you never have the feeling of being in a holiday region where mass tourism has taken hold. In Kenya you can therefore combine kiting with the prevailing culture in the best possible way and on short notice.

 The destination airport is Mombasa. For example, Condor flies direct from Frankfurt twice a week. Lufthansa feeder flights are available from almost all European airports (note increased kitebag fees). After landing you have to go through passport control. Citizens of EU countries and Switzerland can buy the entry visa for 50 USD here. Our tip: take US dollars with you, as the exchange rate from Kenyan shillings to euros at the airport is 1 to 1. At the airport exit, one of our friendly drivers will be waiting for you with a sign with your name on it. Now all you have to do is the transfer of approx. 1.5-2 hours (including ferry crossing in Mombasa) before you can finally unpack your kites on the white sandy beach! Just getting there through Mombasa is an 

Wind and climate

Thanks to the Kaskazi (mid-December to mid-March) and Kusi (mid-June to mid-September) winds, Galu Beach has strong winds twice a year. At Kaskazi it blows side-, side-on-shore from the left at the beach, at Kusi it always blows side-, side-on-shore from the right. As a rule, the wind on Galu Beach increases from midday, so that you can start the day comfortably. In the months of May to June, among other things, the rainy season prevents the wind. Winter in Kenya runs from August to September, i.e. the temperatures are a pleasant 28°C during the day. However, it can get chilly at night, so be sure to take a sweater with you. When it rains, it’s usually at night. From December to February is “summer” and the temperatures rise up to 33°C. This is also the greenest time of the year here and thus means high season for tourism. The water is warm enough all year round to kite in lycra (long sleeve lycra is best) and shorts. Due to the proximity to the equator, we recommend a high sun protection factor, especially in our winter time.

The best kitesurfing spot in Kenia

Galu Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches for kiting and is also ideal for beginners, intermediates and advanced kiters. It doesn’t matter whether you want to improve your jumps, freestyle or ride waves on the reef. The wind usually blows between 12 and 20 knots and is a bit more constant here than on the north coast. The main kite sizes are therefore usually limited to 9-13qm kites. Due to the offshore reef, the entire Diani/Galu Beach is quite similar in terms of its nature. There are no bays or the like, the entire beach is very straight. However, the tides must be taken into account. In addition to a huge standing area with flat water at low tide and light choppy waves at high tide, you will find further out on the reef (about 900m from Diani/Galu Beach) a wave that in December to February up to 2.5m, from June to September up to Can grow up to 3.5m high. The waves come in very fast and close together. Inside the reef you have nice flat water. In the north of Diani Beach, especially in front of the Baobab Hotel, the beach is interspersed with large stones and coral blocks, which is why you should be particularly careful there. However, our stations are on Galu Beach, where there is only sandy ground. Depending on the tide (up to 3m), the beach can become quite narrow at full and new moon as well as at spring tides. On the remaining days, the fine sandy beach in front of the station is about 50m wide at high tide and about 100m wide at low tide. So there is always enough space to lay out the lines and set up the glider.

What to do in Kenia a part from Kitesurfing

Kenya has more to offer than “just” perfect kite beaches. A safari in Kenya is therefore an absolute must! From the Diani Beach region there are countless opportunities to take part in safaris. You can choose from 1 to 5 overnight stays, various national parks and different types of accommodation, such as lodges or tent camps in the middle of the wilderness. (From experience we recommend the 2-day safari.) If you have decided on a safari, you will be picked up at the hotel and travel in minibuses or jeeps with an open roof – you can almost get up close and personal with the wild animals. The safaris can be booked through us or spontaneously on site. We chose Tsavo East National Park because it is best reached from the coast (approx. 4-5 hours drive) and you get to see a lot: elephants, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, gazelles, buffaloes, lions and much more! An unforgettable animal experience! The driver, who also acts as a guide, ensures safety. It is advisable to take drinking water with you, as this is usually extremely expensive in the lodges and is not included in all safaris. Our tip: For the safaris, pack a backpack in your suitcase before the trip so that you don’t have to lug your entire luggage with you on the safari. The trip to Funzi Island (from €79 per person including transport and lunch), a paradisiacal shallow water lagoon, is also recommended. Getting there is an experience in itself and offers the opportunity to get to know local coastal villages and their inhabitants. The first-class seafood lunch is already included in the price. In addition, we recommend you to go on a snorkeling or diving trip. The underwater world here is really fascinating and fantastically beautiful. If you want to treat yourself to a beer at the beach bar after a successful day, you will also get your money’s worth here – a large number of bars, restaurants and discos are located directly on Diani Beach (costs European standard) and invite you to a cozy sundowner. And if you are hungry – the Kenyan cuisine is very good! Be it beef pilau, fish or lobster, here you can get everything fresh and, above all, inexpensive. Our tips are the Sails Beach Bar 20 meters next to the Kenyaways or the Hotel Sands at Nomads.