Kotu Beach, Gambia

During winter season, probably 70% of the time you can expect 8-20 kts. Usually sideonshore, but occasionally offshore. If you have wind from East in the early morning then hurry up. The thermal will kill the wind around noon if the sky is clear (you will find this wind situation most probably in December to February). Wind from the East means you have to ride at Kotu Beach or right of it. Then you will have sideshore wind. All the beaches to the left will have offshore or sideoffshore winds. If you have no wind in the morning you can expect a nice thermal wind in the afternoon from N or NW. Then you can use all beaches because it will be sideonshore (this will be the case from February and later). 70% of the days wind from NE dying out around noon, but good kite circumstances for bigger gear.

The water is very warm in summer and cooler in winter. A wetsuit is not necessary at any time of the year, but in January you should take a wetsuit with you, since the water in the morning is pretty cold. Best season is winter (November to June). There are good days in the summer, but it can rain a lot.

Water ranges from flat calm (when you need a big kite for the low wind) to choppy with some lovely little waves for jumps. It's shallow enough to get a reasonable distance out from the beach (about 30 m), but then shelves quite steeply. There are waves breaking 200-300m off shore. At Kotu you will find a lot chaotic waves sometimes building fast and a nice flat shore break to surf. At low tide beware of the rocks on the left side which you will the see. This spot is not a beginner spot but if you are advanced you will have a lot fun. If you are a beginner it is better to walk a few 100 meters to the right side to get less and lower waves.