Watamu, Kenya kitesurfing spot

🇰🇪Kenya·Africa

Watamu, Kenya

● Beginner◆ Intermediate▲ Expert🌊OceanWind sports destination

Wind

NE–SE

Best Season

Jan–Dec

Water

Shallow · Flat

About This Spot

Watamu, Kenya is one of the world's premier wind-sports destinations, located in Kenya.

Situated in Africa, the spot offers Shallow and Flat and Chop and Small waves and Medium waves water conditions, making it ideal for beginners and experienced riders alike.

With NE–SE winds, peaking from January to December, Watamu, Kenya delivers the kind of sessions that keep riders coming back year after year.

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Why Riders Love It

Strong wind in the summer and lighter winds at Christmas just depends on size of your kites if you can ride or not. The winds are either from the Northeast or Southeast and hence is always sideonshore. The winds can get up to 30 knots at times but usually more in the 16-20 knot range. When the winds are from the Northeast a constant trade wind builds up as the day goes on. The Southeasterly monsoon has it windy time around June and July and it is very windy then. NE Monsoon: average 10-18 knots (January to April). SE Monsoon: average 15-25 knots (June to September).

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When to Go

It is possible to ride all year round. Water temp: NE Monsoon: 26°C, SE Monsoon: 20°C. At 4° south latitude, the equatorial climate is near perfect.

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What to Expect

Reef: not possible to ride on low tides. But still room to ride elsewhere. As the area has a reef the water tends to be fairly flat. Tide is not really an issue as their isn't much of it. Kiting is always possible but in spring tides it gets very shallow. Nice wave riding on hight tide near the beach and on low tide at the reef.

Wind & Conditions

NESW

NE · SE
Best wind direction

Strong wind in the summer and lighter winds at Christmas just depends on size of your kites if you can ride or not. The winds are either from the Northeast or Southeast and hence is always sideonshore. The winds can get up to 30 knots at times but usually more in the 16-20 knot range. When the winds are from the Northeast a constant trade wind builds up as the day goes on. The Southeasterly monsoon has it windy time around June and July and it is very windy then. NE Monsoon: average 10-18 knots (January to April). SE Monsoon: average 15-25 knots (June to September).

Best Months

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Water Conditions

ShallowFlatChopSmall wavesMedium waves

Reef: not possible to ride on low tides. But still room to ride elsewhere. As the area has a reef the water tends to be fairly flat. Tide is not really an issue as their isn't much of it. Kiting is always possible but in spring tides it gets very shallow. Nice wave riding on hight tide near the beach and on low tide at the reef.

Big beachSand💧 Crystal Clear

Check Conditions

Live Wind Forecast at Watamu, Kenya

Check real-time wind conditions before you head out.

Facilities & Access

🅿️Parking✓ Available
🚻Toilets✓ Available
🍹Beach Bar / Food✓ Available
📚Lessons Available✓ Available
🏨Accommodation✓ Available
🛟Rescue Service✓ Available
🪁Gear Rental✓ Available
🚿Showers✓ Available

📍 Getting There

🚶Short walk to the beach

Turn right from Malindi airport and follow road for quite a long way then turn right at a petrol station, follow that road and turn left at T-junction and get your kit out there and walk up the beach to the second rock. Kiting is best from this spot.

Location

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Watamu, Kenya

-3.3625°N, 40.0076°E

View on interactive map

Travel Light

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Schools at Watamu, Kenya

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