H2O Extreme - Conditions
Diani beach on the South Coast of Kenya provides perfect conditions for kitesurfing, windsurfing and leisure activities...
Wind - The Kaskazi tradewind blows a reliable Northerly force 3-5 (starboard tack) from December to February. Winds tend to be lighter in the morning, ideal for beginners, picking up around 11 o'clock. The Kuzi tradewind blows Southerly force 3-5 (port tack) from February to the start of May. The monsoons of June - August tend to blow Force 4-7 and the Indian Ocean storms bless us with logo to mast-high waves on the reef for wave riding and jumping to rival any wave-sailing destination in the world. Winds are always side-shore and constant - it's not uncommon to use the same sail or kite every day for 2 weeks, saving the hassle of de-rigging. For today's forecast click here.
Weather - With Kenya being located on the equator the temperature is always tropical yet comfortable. Even in 'the rains' in April and May the conditions are welcoming and with the temperatures maintained in the high twenties it is never too cold for watersports. For today's forecast click here.
Beaches - the wide pure white sand beaches are some of the most beautiful in the world - seriously! They are also uncrowded and allow learner kite surfers plenty of space to perfect kite control. The long beaches are great for long walks or early morning and evening jogs as well as beach football, volleyball, landsurfing and even some serious golf bunker practice!
Reef - A coral reef runs pretty much intact down the length of Kenya's 500 kms of coastline. At Diani the reef is about 400 metres offshore - this forms a beautiful lagoon between reef and beach with warm, flat water - perfect for beginners and for blasting. The reef also provides a playground for the more adventurous as it picks up the swell for ramps and wave riding. Side-shore winds means you can go down-the-line and work on your bottom and top turns. For the more relaxed visitor the reef provided excellent snorkling, 'nature exploration' and visits to beautiful remote sand bars on reef dhow trips.
Sandbar - There is also a sandbar level with the outer reef. This is easily reached with a broad-reach from the Centre. The sand bar picks up a nice wave, great for first-time wave-riders. At low tide the sandbar is totally exposed - enterprising locals even set up a beach bar selling drinks to thirsty snorkellers!
Hazards - The reef keeps out any big fish (a definite advantage over our South African neighbours!) but we frequently see turtles and sometimes dolphins at high tide. Sea urchins can be a problem at low-mid tide and we advise that you wear appropriate footwear just in case (also available for hire). You will always launch from a wide, sandy section near the beach and there are no 'nasties' here. At low-tide there is very little water in the lagoon (you can pretty much walk to the reef) - during this time we do run beginner lessons but windsurf/kitesurf rentals are not permitted. During low-tide you can rent equipment from our second centre on Galu Beach - this is a beautiful, deserted beach and the lagoon is much deeper. Wave-sailing is also excellent at Galu at low-tide when the wave is steepest. We can arrange transport from Diani to Galu if required (10 mins).
Check out the kite courses and rentals as well as special trips and example itineraries.
