Dakhla
Morocco
Why Visit?
There are a million reasons to visit Dakhla, Morocco. This place has been in the spotlight over the last couple of years due to hosting the previous VKWC world cup and upcoming WKC, and for a good reason. Forty-five kilometres of the endless lagoon, warm temperatures throughout the year, constant wind, and friendly and welcoming people. Not to mention that it has perfect freestyle flat-water spots as well as some seriously great surf spots. What's not to like about it?
Wind and Weather
Dakhla offers great temperatures all through the year of about 22 to 29C°. When the wind is stronger, you will feel colder, and on the days of no wind, or lighter wind, the temperatures will rise considerably. Please take into account that at night the temperatures take a big dip, so always bring some warm sweaters, long pants, and even a beanie; you will appreciate it!
For the water, we recommend at least a shorty or 3/2 long wetsuit.
The wind blows all through the year, but the strongest months are April to September where it can blow up to about 35 knots. The lowest months are December and January, but you can still have a lot of kiteable days with high temperatures. The wind is generally lighter in the morning and picks up at about 2 pm.
Getting Around
When visiting Dakhla, most people choose to stay at one of the lagoon camps. These are bungalows and tents that are located directly at the kite spot. When you choose this option, you don’t have to worry about transport unless of course, you want to head into town to do some exploring. Most of the camps can easily organise a transfer for you to do this, at the price of 10 euros per person. If you choose to stay in the city, then you will need to rent a car that will cost about 30 euros per day. This way you can drive back and forth to the kite spot, and it will take you about 25 minutes each way. If you want to head to one of the more adventurous wave spots or the white dune, you will need a 4x4.
Food and Drink
Most of the camps offer an all-inclusive service, which means all of your meals are included in the price. You can expect a combination of European and traditional Moroccan cuisine. Imagine lots of tagines, fish and chicken, couscous, salads and pasta and you are on the right track.
If you venture into the city, you can try some of the local food. Dakhla is very well known for its incredibly fresh seafood, especially the oysters. Head to the oyster farm on the edge of the lagoon to try the very best fresh oysters collected for you while you wait.
No Wind?
Dakhla is known for its constant wind, an estimated 340 days per year. But even in this desert gem, the wind may fail you at times. All the centres offer surf excursions to various spots, which are worth checking out. Alternatively, take a little fishing trip, SUP excursion to the Dragon Island, or head into the city to check out a bit of the local culture.
Internet
All of the camps offer wifi internet connection, but it's important to realise you are in the middle of the desert, and there will be times where it's tough to get a decent connection. You can always buy a Maroc telecom 3G stick in town which is a good alternative and can help keep you connected.
Accommodation
There are now up to 7 camps scattered across the lagoon for you to choose from. Some are more rustic, offering basic tent accommodation, and others are more upmarket and comfortable offering amazing lagoon view bungalows, with hot water shower and all the same comfort you would expect from a hotel. Being on the lagoon is ideal as you can kite all day until the sun sets directly in front of your room.
There are various hotels and guesthouses in Dakhla city, which is a good option if you want to explore the town, restaurants and have a little more independence. You will need to rent a car though, to get back forth from the spot.
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By Gemma Hendra
Gemma has been based in Dakhla on and off for the last 7 years and splits her time between there and the kiteboarding mecca of Tarifa. She is a passionate kitesurfer who co-runs Dakhla Spirit and Girls waterwear store Gemsita!
Been to Dakhla? What did you think?
Where are the Best Kitesurfing Beaches in Dakhla?
This is the northern tip of the lagoon, where most of the camps are located. The wind blows side shore from the Northeast generally, though once or twice a year it will blow from the south!
Flat water at low tide, slightly choppier at high tide. The tides are noticeably bigger during the full moon, and new moon so can be fun to explore areas of the lagoon that are generally not kiteable.
- Wind: Side shore from NE
- Shorebreak: No
- Waves: No
This is a fantastic flat water spot located slightly further to the left of the camps. It offers butter-flat water at low tide. Truly a freestyle paradise and the perfect place to improve your tricks!
- Wind: Off-shore. Only works at lowest tide; otherwise, the water is choppy.
- Shorebreak: No
- Waves: No
If you fancy getting some wave action in Dakhla it is just a short ride in a car away, there are a lot of great waves nearby, but Oum El Bouir is the most popular spot for the kiters. It is a right-hand point break that offers long perfectly peeling waves and the chance to get barrelled on the bigger days. If you want to come here for the waves be sure to go in the winter when the swells are bigger.
- Wind: Cross Shore from the Right
- Shorebreak: On the bigger days
- Waves: Right-hand point break
When is the Best Time to go Kitesurfing in Dakhla?
The windy months to go kitesurfing in Dakhla are April, May, June, July, August, September
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Kitesurfing Articles that Mention Dakhla
Issue 85
Tired of taking a beating training for the freestyle tour, Jerome Cloetens found his love for kiteboarding slowly fading. Ready to become a beginner again, he set off on a trip to Dakhla with a board bag full of toys to reignite the fire! Read all about it in this article!
Issue 85
The best photos with nowhere else to go!
Issue 65
Images with no particular place to go.
Issue 54
Brandon Bowe heads to North Africa to sample the delights that Dakhla has to offer, checking out all the spots on the lagoon and the infamous wave break there too!
Issue 20
We have always wanted to go and finally we got to sample the delights of this remote Moroccan outpost!
Issue 13
We covered Essaouira in the last issue, but when these shots of 3m waves turned up from Dahkla we just had to shout once again about what Morocco has to offer. Have you booked your trip yet? You will after seeing this!
Kitesurfing Videos and News in Dakhla
7 years ago
Are you ready?! The second stop of the 2018 GKA Kite-Surf World Tour begins today -- Wednesday, April 25th -- in Dakhla. A record 34...
7 years ago
The battle for the sole slot in the girls’ European division for the forthcoming Youth Olympic Games (YOG) kitebaord racing discipline saw perhaps some of...
7 years ago
The prospect of a place on the Youth Olympic Games’ (YOG) stage—or better, a medal—has seen a dramatic transformation in the way kiteboarding is viewed,...
7 years ago
61 competitors from 18 countries are in contention for the 4 qualification places to the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires. Check out the...
7 years ago
PK25, the first boutique sports hotel in Dakhla, is preparing to open its doors on March 22nd, 2018. PK25 consists of 32 4-person bungalows that...
7 years ago
The GKA Kite-Surf World Tour kicks off the first of its 2018 series of wave and strapless freestyle events in less than two weeks time...
7 years ago
Ladies, here's a spring deal to take advantage of! Visit Hotel Dakhla Attitude for the Sirens of the Desert event March 2nd - 9th, 2018...
7 years ago
Make sure you watch this outstanding strapless freestyle from the F-One boys in Dakhla! They're so consistent!
7 years ago
Check out Dakhla - a film by director Leopold Dekeister who explores Sahara's nature. Dakhla is a celebration of nature and kitesurfing, beauty and exploration.
7 years ago
Visiting the fabulous kiteboarding oasis of Dakhla, Morocco? Don't spend your entire holiday kiting right in front of your hotel! Isa is here to give...
7 years ago
The main event is on at the GKA Kite-Surf World Tour event in Dakhla! Riders are being judged on a combination of wave riding and...
8 years ago
The exciting finale of the Global Kitesports Association (GKA) Wave and Strapless Freestyle Tour went down in Dakhla, Morocco in classic form. All the perennial...
9 years ago
If you want to add a little challenge and variety to your next kite vacation, check out the second annual Dragons Challenge, slated for February...
9 years ago
Have you ever kited in a sandstorm? This is definitely not like the usual Dakhla Morocco that is so often depicted in the videos. A change...
9 years ago
If you like to watch megaloops then you'll love this one. Nourdine Mansour finds an amazing flat water spot in Dakhla and pulls off plenty...
9 years ago
Did you catch Hannah Whiteley's film from the first stop of the Virgin Kitesurf World Championships in Dakhla, Morocco? She finished 2nd in the Big Air...
9 years ago
Hannah Whiteley goes big in this action packed teaser trailer of her time in Dakhla. Full video will be released tomorrow! An insight to Professional...
10 years ago
Val Garat is back on form! He has spent more than 7 months off the water with a knee injury but with hard work and...