THE LURE - Ultra-reliable conditions, reeling rights and a vast lagoon to explore
Situated on the edge of the Western Sahara desert, the Dakhla peninsula shelters a huge 45 kilometre long flat water lagoon from the Atlantic Ocean, so whatever your level and riding preference, you’re likely to be covered - there's even a speed spot!
Fun and safe for all levels with enough wind to be shredding dawn till dusk among the dolphins and flamingoes, Dakhla in southwest Morocco offers simple and relaxing holiday experiences, or at three good wave spots.
PHOTO: Dakhla Evasion
Flat water on the lagoon
Dakhla Lagoon and the White Sand Dune / Photos: Dakhla Attitude
World famous for its 45 kilometre-long peninsula, Dahkla is blessed with clean wind, a huge lagoon and playful to decent sized waves just a short drive away on the coast. Way down in the south of Morocco... and way up there in terms of quality kite spot!
World tour events, pro riders on training trips and weekend warriors alike all flock to the seemingly endless lagoon which can be ridden at both high and low tide.
The spot itself is a lagoon – around 40 kilometres long and four kilometres wide in places – formed by the Dakhla peninsula, which extends into the Atlantic. Close to the bank, the water is flat which makes for an ideal spot for beginners, who can remain waist deep up to 300 metres off the beach. If space is what you’re after, you’ll find it in Dakhla - without any shore-break to disrupt your first board starts and early rides. The only thing to mention is that it is advisable for beginners to wear booties as there are shells on the lagoon’s floor.
For advanced riders the ‘speed spot’ has a way of injecting hysteria into anyone that goes there. This is the dead-flat spot that you see in all the videos, away from where the competitions usually run. You can reach it in a few minutes, but you should go with a guide as the wind is offshore over the sand bar that appears at low tide.
For boosting, a small wind wave forms in the centre of the lagoon which is perfect for topping up your Woo record. If that doesn’t come to fruition, there’s always the ever-popular sand dune take-off spot. We don’t condone it, but, say you were wanting to float from a sandy dune all the way back down to earth - La Duna Blanca is where you do it.
To put it simply, this entire area is an epic flat water playground and you can either kite out front of your kite camp, go on a downwinder to Dragon Island or charge the speed strip at the northern end of the lagoon. Check in with the camp you’re staying at or your kite school for an awesome downwinder from the White Dune back to camp.
Progression head back for foil-specifc camps each year to make use of the dependable wind in the deeper regions of the lagoon, which are plentiful. If you’re looking for somewhere to go for a week and really focus on your foiling, then Dakhla is a good choice.
Dakhla isn’t all about the lagoon. Across the peninsula there are a couple of really solid wave spots with right handers and wind from the right, making for some classic down-the-line conditions. Oum Lamboiur regularly sets the stage for the GKA Kite-Surf World Tour with a textbook point-break when it’s firing properly. Even when it isn’t at its best, there’s almost always some shred-able shore-break close to the beach. Further down the coast there’s Lassarga, which is less well known but still really good with clean, peeling rights. There’s also a spot closer to the lagoon called Point de l’Or which is about ten minutes in a 4x4, depending on which camp you stay at. It translates to ‘The golden point’ and features a point break that wraps around a small cliff with a wave breaking for up to 400 metres.
In general the spots are very quiet, but the only thing to be aware of are the rocks at the start of the point at low tides. Oum Lambouir is the most used spot with easier access, but is further away from most camps than Point de L’Or, which is just five minutes, but requires a 4×4 to access it. The best wave riding is in the winter months when there’s more swell, but there’s usually at least some surf all year. You’ll need a 3/2 wetsuit during the summer season and perhaps a 4/3 in the colder months.
Paulino Pereira competing at Oum Lamboiur during the KSWT Dakhla 2018 Photo: Ydwer van der Heide / GKA Kite World Tour
Camille Delannoy punts one on the lagoon in front of the kite camps Photo: Ydwer van der Heide / GKA Kite World Tour
Ideal learning locations at the lagoon Photo: Planet Kitesurf
Zenith Dakhla’s riads overlooking the spot Photo: Zenith Dakhla
Freeride-friendly conditions Photo: Zenith Dakhla
A desert oasis at Zenith Dakhla Photo: Zenith Dakhla
WIND, WEATHER & WATER
Dakhla offers a long season with rideable conditions for much of the year. The statisticians reckon there is around 320 days of wind every year, so you’re in safe hands. April to September are the windiest months and in July and August it peaks with regular 30 knot days. In winter through to early spring, conditions back off to 19-25 knots, but Dakhla can still surprise you with proper blow-outs at any time of year.
The wind’s usually lighter in the mornings before ramping up and peaking in the early afternoon and then drops off a little before sunset. In summer, you’ll use your seven and nine metres a lot and in winter a 12 will see more action. The best waves can be found from November to February. Annual air temperatures range from 20 – 30°C / 68 – 86°F during the day to 12 – 15°C / 54 – 60°F at night. On the lagoon, boardshorts and bikinis in mid-summer will suffice and a shorty will do for most of the year, but bring a warm sweatshirt and jeans for the evenings.
The water averages 19 – 24°C / 66 - 75°F all year but strong winds make it feel colder and January and February are the coldest months when you’ll need a long suit, whether you’re on the lagoon or the coast.
Airton – On it! – GKA Dakhla
Waves on the coast
Dakhla lagoon
Flat water on the lagoon
Kitesurfing Dakhla, Morocco
Dakhla – GKA Finals
SCHOOLS
Photo: KBC Dakhla
KBC DAKHLA (Kiteboarding Club Dakhla) is open year round and located directly at kite beach with their adjoining hotel. A rescue boat service is provided, and they also offer gear storage, compressor and showers for kiters. Loungers are provided on their sun terrace for that post-session chill.
DAKHLA EVASION is an F-One Pro Centre, running private, semi-private and group lessons, offering packages that combine the cost of your lessons with unlimited equipment hire. Kite gear storage is available and they also offer surf lessons and rentals, too.
EXPLORA in the Dakhla Alize camp is a family run kite, wind and surf centre, open all year with beautiful bungalows a few steps from the water. Duotone gear for rent and specialist clinics run throughout the year. Safety boat cover, gear storage and full package holidays also offered. Languages spoken by instructors: English, French, Spanish, Arabic and Italian.
ZENITH DAKHLA KITE RESORT are open from mid-February to December and offer lessons for all levels with a maximum student to instructor ratio of 2:1. They use the latest Core and Mystic gear, run safety boat cover and offer clinics with pro kiters throughout the season as well. www.zenithdakhla.com book@zenithdakhla.com
ION CLUB located next to the Ocean Vagabond beach bar run lessons in kitesurfing, windsurfing, SUP and surfing. Shop, showers, storage, chill out corner, lots of gear to rent and excursions to wave spots. Ocean Vagabond also provides excellent accommodation. Languages spoken by instructors: English, French, Arabic and Spanish.
Sportif Kitesurf Holidays provide kitesurfing and multi sport holidays to the very best destinations worldwide. Sportif centres have the latest equipment and highly qualified, experienced staff. Whatever your level, you'll find a range of flexible rental or instruction packages, with a choice of accommodation from budget to luxury 5* hotels, right next to the centres. Contact a Sportif Travel specialist consultant to put together a package that's just right for you.
Planet Kitesurf Holidays specialise in luxury tailor‐made kitesurf holidays worldwide. Through its team of highly experienced kitesurf travel professionals, the company offers expert impartial advice, backed up by full ATOL and TTA financial protection. Planet Kitesurf belongs to the Planet Travel group, a market leader in active holidays since 2000.
ION CLUB with 21 Wind - and Kitesurfing centres at 12 destinations, ION CLUB are one of the leading companies in this industry. Also offering Surfing, Stand Up Paddling and Biking. Sustainability is one of ION CLUB's core values as they believe that we have a real responsibility for the natural environment - the place where we practice our amazing sports - and for the local societies in which we are allowed to operate and play.
The vast majority of kiters choose to stay in one of the camps on the lagoon’s water’s edge. Unless you only want to kite at the town’s main wave spot, the best option is to book accommodation at the lagoon where the offerings now cater for all tastes and budgets; most are all-inclusive meaning you can just kite, relax and enjoy good food and drink without having to worry about anything much more than that.
HOTEL DAKHLA CLUB is a modern club hotel, protected from the wind as it’s integrated into the mountain, right at the kite spot on the east side of the kite lagoon, just behind the KBC Dakhla kite school. Stay in deluxe bungalows and there’s a large freshwater pool, hamam, massage and gym, mountainbiking, yoga and more.
Accomodation with a view from Kiteboard Club Dakhla
ZENITH DAKHLA KITE RESORT is situated next to the lagoon with six individual riads, six private villas and five ‘lofts’ with king beds, private jacuzzis and fantastic views across the lagoon. Stylishly built with an excellent restaurant, Zenith will arrange every detail of your trip once you arrive, so all you need to focus on is kiting and relaxing by the pool!
Zenith Dakhla’s riads overlooking the spot Photo: Zenith Dakhla
A desert oasis at Zenith Dakhla Photo: Zenith Dakhla
PHOTO: Zenith Dakhla
DAKHLA EVASION are well established with nicely-appointed chalets, bungalows, family bungalows and cottages about 100 metres from the lagoon. They have a lively bar, restaurant with great food, chill-out areas, a swimming pool and spa, gym and they can also organise off-water activities, like horse riding and desert excursions. It’s a lovely and peaceful place where you can unwind, or get together without a care in the world.
EXPLORA in the Dakhla Alize camp is a family run kite, wind and surf centre, open all year with beautiful bungalows a few steps from the water. Duotone gear for rent and specialist clinics run throughout the year. Safety boat cover, gear storage and full package holidays also offered. Languages spoken by instructors: English, French, Spanish, Arabic and Italian.
Sportif Kitesurf Holidays provide kitesurfing and multi sport holidays to the very best destinations worldwide. Sportif centres have the latest equipment and highly qualified, experienced staff. Whatever your level, you'll find a range of flexible rental or instruction packages, with a choice of accommodation from budget to luxury 5* hotels, right next to the centres. Contact a Sportif Travel specialist consultant to put together a package that's just right for you.
Planet Kitesurf Holidays specialise in luxury tailor‐made kitesurf holidays worldwide. Through its team of highly experienced kitesurf travel professionals, the company offers expert impartial advice, backed up by full ATOL and TTA financial protection. Planet Kitesurf belongs to the Planet Travel group, a market leader in active holidays since 2000.
ION CLUB with 21 Wind - and Kitesurfing centres at 12 destinations, ION CLUB are one of the leading companies in this industry. Also offering Surfing, Stand Up Paddling and Biking. Sustainability is one of ION CLUB's core values as they believe that we have a real responsibility for the natural environment - the place where we practice our amazing sports - and for the local societies in which we are allowed to operate and play.
Dakhla is very reliable for wind, so you shouldn’t have many windless days (if any) but if you do then there’s surfing and wave SUPing over on the coast. SUPing on the lagoons is also popular.
If you’re looking for a kite-focused trip, chilled vibes and the option to just relax and recharge when you’re off the water then a trip to Dakhla is a solid call.
Most people stay at the kite camps and they can arrange your transfers, so you won’t need a hire car. Staying at the camps usually includes rescue boat cover too and the daily routine is very mellow. Many of the camps have social gatherings from time to time as well as live music in the evenings and yoga sessions during the day. You’ll also find day beds as well as shaded areas to relax in.
As a growing hub for sports, Dakhla itself is more recently developed than the traditional Moroccan towns further north. You’ll find there are cafes, markets, some shops and a museum that details the cultural history of the area and the nomadic bedouin people who once inhabited it. For any twitchers, there are interesting wildlife roaming around, including large flocks of flamingos, migratory birds and, of course, the camels!
In recent years there has been a big push among the hotels to cater for non-kiting guests, with city tours and visits to various tourist attractions. The ancient mosque is well worth a visit - built by the Spanish, it still stands today as a monument to ancient architecture.
The Dakhla Attitude Hotel has a 2.0 system cable park in a 140 x 45 metre pool with two kickers, rooftop and box that is available everyday and for two night sessions with BBQ and beach party each week.
If it’s peace and quiet you’re after, especially after a day of battling the winds, Planet Kitesurf offer a hotel that few agents know of. It is set a bit further down the beach in a quieter secluded spot: La Tour D’Eole - known for being secluded and eco-friendly.
PHOTO: Dakhla Evasion
PHOTO: KiteWorldWide
PHOTO: Dakhla Attitude
GET AROUND
If you are staying at one of the camps no rental car is necessary. Transfers to town and back can be €10 per person or free depending on your package and be aware that there aren’t many taxis. The UCPA hotel in town brings people to the lagoon each day but it’s inconvenient compared to just walking to your kite spot and the costs can build up. Make sure you buy a rescue voucher for the lagoon if you’re not staying at one of the camps. If you stay in town you’re best to rent a car to get to the kite spot or daily 4x4 transfers can be arranged with schools to a variety of spots.
PHOTO: Dakhla Attitude
PHOTO: Dakhla Attitude
PHOTO: Dakhla Attitude
Currency
Moroccan Dirham (MAD): £1 = MAD14 / €1 = MAD11 / US$1 = MAD9 Facilities in the camp will accept Euros too and there are ATMs in Dakhla.
FOOD & DRINK
All the camps and hotels are all-inclusive and provide excellent fresh food and drinks at sunset. If you want to get out of camp for a while then Dakhla town is a good experience and probably not what you’re used to. Visit the small souk in town and the local food and spice markets. Look out for the cars selling seasonal fruits and try the Dakhla-grown cherry tomatoes. Traditional tea in a cafe is a must-do, and lunch at the oyster farm is also highly recommended (it serves more than just oysters). Between the camps and town there’s also a semi-hidden fish restaurant on the water’s edge that there are pizza options in town as well as a more upmarket dinner at Villa Dakhla.
PHOTO: Dakhla Attitude
PHOTO: Daklha Attitude
PHOTO: Dakhla Attitude
PHOTO: Dakhla Attitude
PHOTO: Svetlana Romantsova / Kite Morocco
PHOTO: Dakhla Attitude
PHOTO: KiteWorldWide
AIRPORT
Fly into Dakhla (VIL), although there are no direct flights from outside Morocco. There are also seven flights per week from Casablanca and two from Agadir. Be prepared to spend a night in Casablanca for your connecting flight on your way home (though if booking with KiteWorldWide they will organise a nice hotel). Twice a week there’s also a service from Las Palmas, Gran Canaria with Canary Fly (www.canaryfly.es).
TRAVEL AGENTS
KITEWORLDWIDE specialize in delivering extraordinary kitesurf holidays to exotic destinations while avoiding the tourist traps.
Planet Kitesurf Holidays specialise in luxury tailor‐made kitesurf holidays worldwide. Through its team of highly experienced kitesurf travel professionals, the company offers expert impartial advice, backed up by full ATOL and TTA financial protection. Planet Kitesurf belongs to the Planet Travel group, a market leader in active holidays since 2000.
ION CLUB with 21 Wind - and Kitesurfing centres at 12 destinations, ION CLUB are one of the leading companies in this industry. Also offering Surfing, Stand Up Paddling and Biking. Sustainability is one of ION CLUB's core values as they believe that we have a real responsibility for the natural environment - the place where we practice our amazing sports - and for the local societies in which we are allowed to operate and play.
