# Kitesurfing in Dakhla, 7 days A kitesurfing week at Dakhla Attitude, a bungalow camp on Dragon Point with the spot right outside the door: north-easterly wind almost every day, flat and shallow lagoon water to learn on, the Speed Spot at low tide for experienced riders, and trips to Dragon Island and the White Dune on windless days. Source : https://sabaro-travel.com/en/ideas/morocco-kitesurfing-dakhla-7-days/ ## The spot outside your bungalow Dakhla sits on a 40 km peninsula that closes off a 37 km-long bay on the Atlantic, in southern Morocco. Between the peninsula and the mainland, the lagoon is sheltered from the swell: the water is flat and shallow, and the wind blows almost every day. Dakhla Attitude stands on Dragon beach, about 27 km from the airport, facing Dragon Island. Everything revolves around the Duotone Pro Center, the hotel's water sports centre, open all year. You step out of your bungalow, cross the beach and you are on the water. The room rate includes full board and airport transfers both ways: once you arrive, you no longer need a car. ## Reading the wind and the tide **The wind** comes from the north-east. According to the Dakhla Attitude school, it blows at 15 to 25 knots in winter and above 30 knots in July and August. The 1991–2020 normals of the WMO (World Meteorological Organization) for the Dakhla station count an average of 323 days a year with wind of at least 10 m/s, about 19 knots. On the main spot, it usually blows from the north, cross-shore; in a north-easterly it blows onshore and allows long runs from the island to the far end of the lagoon. **The tide** matters as much as the wind. At high tide, the riding area is huge; at low tide, it shrinks markedly. That is when the **Speed Spot** comes into its own, 200 m east of the camp: a small dune about 40 cm high exposes some 2 km of flat, deep water, made for speed and jumps. Sabaro recommends checking the tide tables as soon as you arrive and planning sessions around them. Wind and wave forecasts are posted every two days on the hotel's screens; a red flag means riding is not advised. ## Planning your lessons The centre teaches all levels, with instructors certified by IKO (International Kiteboarding Organization, an international kitesurf training body) or VDWS (Verband Deutscher Wassersportschulen, the German federation of water sports schools), mainly in French and English. Lessons take place in front of the centre, in a dedicated zone. - **Semi-private**: one instructor for two students of the same level, each with their own kite and gear from the second lesson. - **Private**: for faster progress. Private lessons are compulsory for under-15s, with a waiver signed by the parents, who stay on site. - **In blocks of hours**, from 2 to 12, scheduled according to wind and forecast. The school's rates, listed in Moroccan dirhams (MAD), vary by season: high season in spring, summer and autumn, low season in January and from late November to late December. Booking lessons in advance gives a lower rate, provided you pay at least 30 days before arrival; for example, 2 hours semi-private cost 1,580 MAD on site in high season, 1,422 MAD booked in advance. If you bring your own gear, a storage fee of 110 MAD per person per day is compulsory; it covers the compressor, beach assistance and water safety. For a first taste, the 2-hour lesson listed in this itinerary, with an instructor and 4x4 transport, is booked separately, on Civitatis. ## A week, with or without wind Six nights leave some slack: there will be mornings when the tide or the wind is not right. Here is one possible split for a beginner: - **Days 1 and 2**: arrival, first block of lessons, learning to fly the kite from the beach. - **Days 3 and 4**: water starts, first runs in the lagoon at high tide. - **Day 5**: a rest day, or the windless day. The 4-hour catamaran trip listed in this itinerary crosses the bay and stops for a swim at Dragon Island. You can also go by boat from the hotel, for 220 MAD, or on foot at low tide, with shoes on: the sand is covered in shells. - **Days 6 and 7**: back on the water to gain independence, then departure. For experienced riders, the week follows the tides: the lagoon at high tide, the Speed Spot at low tide, and a trip with the centre to the bay's other spots. On calm days, the centre also offers wingfoil, kitefoil, paddleboard and wakeboard, and the hotel has a cable ski. **Out of the water.** The White Dune is reached by 4x4, on a track about 50 km from town. The bay is the centre of Moroccan oyster farming: try the oysters. In winter, it hosts tens of thousands of migrating waterbirds; it is a Ramsar site, a wetland of international importance. ## When to come Schools are open all year, and the kitesurfing season runs from late February to late October. Sabaro recommends winter and spring for learning, when the wind is gentler, and keeps July and August for experienced riders. The air is at 20–24 °C from November to June and around 27 °C in July and August, according to the school. The water ranges from 17.6 °C in January to 21.8 °C in September: a wetsuit is needed, especially in winter and in strong wind. In low and mid season, the hotel offers seven nights for the price of six. ## Getting there and around Dakhla airport, code VIL, is about 6 km from town. Dakhla is a few hours' flight from Europe's main cities, direct or with one stop. How kitesurf gear travels depends on the airline and the fare: check before buying your ticket. Check the airport code when booking: an Egyptian oasis is also called Dakhla. For trips into the desert, use a provider with a driver. Any route leaving the paved coastal road requires prior approval from the Royal Gendarmerie or the Royal Armed Forces: have the provider check the route before each trip. ## Frequently asked questions ### How many hours of lessons should a beginner plan? The centre sells blocks of 2 to 12 hours, scheduled according to wind and forecast, and extra hours can be added one at a time. Progress depends on the wind and on each person: take stock with your instructor at the end of the first block before booking more. ### Is the lagoon suitable for beginners? Yes: the water is flat and shallow, and lessons are given in a dedicated zone in front of the centre. The riding area shrinks at low tide: the centre schedules lessons according to wind and forecast. ### What does a stay at Dakhla Attitude include? The room, full board with a daily menu, wifi, the gym and return airport transfers. Lessons, equipment rental, the spa and excursions are extra. ### How warm is the water? From 17.6 °C in January to 21.8 °C in September. A wetsuit is needed all year.