Dakhla Lagoon

About this spot

Dakhla sits on a narrow peninsula jutting into the Atlantic at the edge of the Sahara, and the lagoon behind it is one of the world's great kitesurfing destinations. The north-easterly trade wind funnels down the peninsula and blows side-onshore across the lagoon with astonishing consistency — over 300 windy days a year, typically 15–30 kn from mid-morning until sunset. The water is butter-flat over sand, waist-deep in huge areas at low tide, and the air is warm all year.

The trade wind from the north to north-east is the working direction: side-onshore along the western shore where the kite camps line up. South-westerly and westerly winds are rare and blow offshore from the lagoon side — avoid them. The lagoon empties and fills with the tide: at low tide large sandbanks appear and some areas become too shallow to ride, while at high tide the water reaches the camp beaches. The famous 'Speed Spot' at the lagoon's southern end offers mirror-flat water at mid-tide; the 'White Dune' downwind trip is a classic, but only go with an organised group and a boat.

The lagoon shore is lined with kite camps offering accommodation, lessons, rental and rescue — you eat, sleep and ride in one place. Dakhla town, 25 km south, has an airport with flights from Casablanca and Europe. The desert sun is fierce even when the wind feels cool: bring strong sun protection, and a 3/2 mm wetsuit for winter sessions when the water drops toward 17–18 °C. Everything here runs on the wind and the tide, so plan sessions around the tide tables.