It’s time to start thinking about booking your next kitesurfing trip but are you unsure where to go this year? Well look no further; we asked Adventure Holiday reviewers ActionTripGuru to recommend the best place to KiteSurf in the world and everything you need to know for booking your trip there!
WHY GO KITESURFING IN DAKHLA?
It takes some perseverance to get there but when you finally arrive be ready for a very different kind of kitesurfing holiday. Located south of Morocco in the disputed territory of Western Sahara, Dakhla is a very long way from any other substantial population centre and gives a real taste of the desert – and that’s not just the flying sand.
If that’s not reason enough to down tools and go right now, the wind consistency should be. No other spot even comes close to matching wind statistics of >90% of 4+ bft in the peak months between May and August. I scored 10 days out of 10 on the water with a largest kite of 12m but mostly on smaller kites – 7m was the ideal size for the conditions. I didn’t even bother checking the forecast after day 2. In fact the statistics make impressive reading all year round, as does the climate which is a soothing, not overpowering 20ºC average all year round.
THE KITESURFING CONDITIONS IN DAKHLA:
Kiting is on the northern end of the vast “lagoon” created by the narrow Dakhla peninsula and where the room to manoeuvre is unparalleled. With a prevailing wind which is sideshore/side-on from the right, blasting across to the other side is an ideal distance of 2 kilometres. The substantial shallow areas at both ends, especially at mid to high tide, are more than welcome and encourage practising new moves, aid swift board recovery or just make taking a breather just that bit more relaxing.
With no shore break whatsoever, the flat to choppy water takes on every possible hue through exotic turquoise to dark blue and despite the short fetch; surprisingly large waves build up creating fun jumping conditions. It actually gets quite choppy and the best conditions were at mid to high tide where the shallows offer flatter conditions albeit with shorter runs.
For speed addicts and flat water freestylers, there is a separate speed strip around the other side of the headland which works at low tide. Although some did I wouldn’t recommend walking there as it’s a fair trek and you’re better off saving your energy, but a tractor is available for €5. The centre offers regular downwinders with boat support to the White Cliff some distance away. There are Atlantic wave spots a short drive away across the peninsula which I understand attract more swell in winter but were not firing during my visit.
The downside to the gentle slope of the huge beach is that at low tide it can be a long walk with your kit. Despite the Sahara location and the relatively fierce sun, the ambient temperature and wind chill require a shorty and less surprisingly, plenty of highly water resistant sunblock.
The sailing areas are zoned with separate areas for kite intermediates and above, kite beginners and windsurfers, however there was a danger at times from inexperienced kiters losing control in the intermediate and windsurfing zones in front of the centre. No such trouble with the local kiters whose ability levels were thoroughly inspirational. Other than the odd learner, there is nothing to fear here either in or out of the water where there are no obstacles whatsoever to wrap either your kite or yourself around. I do recommend wearing summer boots to avoid the risk of a nasty cut from a seashell, which happened to a couple of people while I was there.
The wind itself seems ever present – it’s hard to believe it ever stops. It generally builds gradually through the day, becoming more consistent from around 11.00 to reach an impressive peak at around 16.00-17.00 but continuing well on to sunset. A slight lull around 13.00 is the sign it’s time for lunch. It’s certainly possible to spend the whole day on the water, if your body can take it that is.
Dakhla is one of the world’s best destinations for windsurfing as well as kitesurfing and if you do both, it can’t be beaten. I opted to kite mostly in the morning when the winds were lighter and to put the hammer down windsurfing in the afternoon – a perfect combination.
THE DAKHLA ATTITUDE KITESURFING CENTRE:
Located at what seems to be the best spot on the “lagoon”, my first impressions of the Dakhla Attitude centre were of a well-managed operation where a lot of attention to detail has gone into meeting its customers’ needs. Substantial investment has clearly gone into a complex of buildings which include fully stocked and separate kitesurfing and windsurfing centres, beach shop, showers, gear rinsing basins, sanitary facilities and large equipment lockers – everything you need including the all-important beach bar for a well-earned post-session beer.
Located at what seems to be the best spot on the “lagoon”, my first impressions of the Dakhla Attitude centre were of a well-managed operation where a lot of attention to detail has gone into meeting its customers’ needs. Substantial investment has clearly gone into a complex of buildings which include fully stocked and separate kitesurfing and windsurfing centres, beach shop, showers, gear rinsing basins, sanitary facilities and large equipment lockers – everything you need including the all-important beach bar for a well-earned post-session beer.
For all non-drinking water on site a well has been drilled at considerable depth to a sulphur spring – we are in the desert after all. The centres front on to the beach giving excellent views of the sailing and conditions and a hard walkway leads down a couple of steps to the firm sandy beach which is accessible at all times, although at the highest tides the water is shin deep.
The kitesurf centre is well stocked with an impressive diversity of kites and boards which should suit just about every kitesurfing style and weight for the conditions on hand. Kites ranged from freestyle/wakestyle through performance freeride to lightwind and beginner and were in good condition. The hire boards were in equally good nick and covered everything from competition freestyle, through big air and freeride to lightwind, ladies and beginners in a broad range of sizes. Exclusively from Cabrinha, the kites and boards will suit many and are good quality.
Recognising that many prefer to use their own equipment, and with the relative portability of kiting kit that’s easily possible, Dakhla Attitude make taking your own kit a breeze. The customer storage facilities are absolutely benchmark with large lockers available in the centre suitable for storing all your wet gear – definitely no need to keep it in your room which is understandably discouraged.
Another simple touch but which really adds to that holiday feeling, is the compressor for inflating your tubes. Two air lines are provided and definitely take the back work out of pumping your kite up. There is also a sheltered area which is useful for storing your kite temporarily while you take a break or drying it before putting it away.
Unlike some centres, Dakhla Attitude doesn’t offer an advantageous combined kitesurf/windsurf rental package which would certainly encourage making the most of the ideal conditions for both sports.
Insurance on the rental kit is available but is strangely limited to minor damage – any major failures being billed to the customer at 75% of cost. Again here, sort out your own kitesurfing insurance at home before you go. Kitesurfing lessons were running every morning and afternoon during my stay and the shallow conditions at mid to high tide give any learner or intermediate a massive boost – it’s difficult to imagine a better spot for getting to grips with the sport. Rescue boat cover is also ever present when the centre is open and included if you rent kit or take lessons. If you have your own gear, storage and rescue cover is a mandatory €60 per week.
The staff were friendly and helpful at all times and contributed to a relaxed holiday feeling. If you speak French, then you’ll get on even better with some of the staff and changing kite or board was never too much trouble.
ActionTripGuru is the independent kitesurfing and windsurfing travel website, helping you cut through the brochure hype. ActionTripGuru in depth reviews share personal experience and are fully editorially independent to tell the truth – providing you with all the essential information you need to know when planning your dream trip. Stop dreaming, do it!” You can find Action Trip Guru via their website and follow them on Twitter (@actiontripguru) and facebook https://www.facebook.com/actiontripguru/.
Look out for Part 2 of ActionTripGuru’s review on next week’s blog!
If you are planning a trip to Dakhla and need sports travel insurance, get a quick quote now! We do insure many people travelling to Dakhla each year for kitseufing holidays and realise sometimes there may be some confusion over Dakhla’s location. Please do make sure you select ‘Western Sahara’ as your destination and not ‘Morocco’ as this does not give you cover for Dakhla. Selecting ‘Western Sahara’ will make sure you are fully covered for your trip. And most importantly enjoy!