Kitesurfing is far more than just getting into the water to catch a bit of wind. There’s a whole lifestyle that comes with it - from the community, people to the vibe of the spot. We discovered Kilifi a few years back and it turned out to be a place that hit all the sweet-spots. Dive into this guide and explore what our little kitesurfing paradise has to offer.
The kitesurfing spot in Kilifi
Kenya has over 500 km of stunning coastline and halfway down there’s Kilifi - a small Swahili town settled on a magnificent creek. When we found ourselves on Bofa Beach we were blown away. The green stretches of palm trees, bright white sand and vivid turquoise water made us feel like we had landed in paradise. And it didn’t take long to realise that this beach offers some amazing conditions for kitesurfing. And the icing on the cake was that there were no large hotel resorts and mass tourism hadn’t found its way here yet. This gives the town a very laid-back and chilled vibe. Our community here is super friendly and vibrant and we couldn’t have imagined a more dreamy place to set up a kite school!
Because the beach is empty most of the time, it has proven to be an excellent place to learn to kiteboard. For a beginner it’s important to have enough space for training, in particular when it comes to waterstarts. Another important aspect is the wind direction, as it determines the quality of the wind and general safety. The best direction for kiteboarding is side on-shore and that’s precisely what we have in Kilifi.
Our kitesurfing village has everything you need for the best holiday. You can enjoy tasty food from our ever-changing, locally sourced menu. Salty’s bar provides delicious fresh juices or a selection of cold, craft beer and the hotel offers a variety of accommodation options for every budget. On the premises we have an outdoor space - perfect for setting up a personal tropical office - and the lush, green garden has a few quiet chilling areas with hammocks and hanging beds. Add to it wind blowing everyday and you have the most dreamy kitesurfing destination!
The wind in Kenya
Kenya undergoes two windy seasons which are very different from one another. The wind’s direction is dependent on a current monsoon affecting the Indian Ocean. From mid - December is when the wind blows from the north and continues until mid-March. This season is known as Kaskazi which means ‘north’ in Swahili. The weather during the Kaskazi is mostly sunny. The wind starts around 10am and gets stronger throughout the day due to a sea breeze effect and as a result blows 15-20 knots on average. Thanks to the side on-shore wind direction, the wind is very consistent and provides safe conditions for training.
The other season - the Kuzi - starts around May and blows until October. This is when everything changes. The wind, now coming from the south, is brought by tropical storms that occur far out in the open Ocean. Most of them happen miles away, but there are days when the rains reach the shore resulting in short showers. The weather might be a bit less predictable during the Kuzi but mostly these storms bring a lot of wind with them. The average speed of wind during this season is 20-30 knots which turns our spot in the ultimate kiteboarding playground.
Both seasons even though different from each other are awesome and allow you to progress in all kitesurfing disciplines. It’s also a great place for beginners as you can experience all kinds of conditions which are essential for you to become an independent kiter.
The water conditions for kitesurfing in Kenya
Thanks to changing tides, we have completely different conditions for kiting during the day. Low tide brings perfect flat and calm water and high tide brings chop and waves. It’s easier for beginners when it’s shallow as they can focus fully on a kite control without the waves splashing them. The higher water levels provide perfect conditions for practicing body dragging and waterstarts.
Not many people know that Kenya is a great place for wave riding in the Kuzi season. From June - September the tropical storms create massive swells very often reaching 3m at the reef. Combine it with very strong wind and you have conditions that can rival Cape Town, but on a completely uncrowded spot and without the need of wearing a wetsuit. You just need to ride away for 1 km from the shore to find yourself on these glassy, light-blue waves.
Salty’s IKO kite centre
Salty’s kite center has evolved considerably since its opening in 2019. Our team now consists of four experienced instructors - two are Kenyan, one Polish and an Egyptian. Over a year ago we affiliated our school with IKO (International Kiteboarding Organization) in order to provide the highest standard of teaching kiteboarding for our students. By following IKO guide lines you’re sure to learn this sport effectively and in the safest way possible.
In addition to the regular kite school services we also hold professional kitesurfing courses. Any independent kitesurfer can undergo an intense 10 day course to become IKO Level 1 Instructor. This certification enables you to take jobs in any part of the world and share your passion for kiteboarding. The course is not only for people wishing to pursue a career as an instructor - it’s for anybody who wants to expand their knowledge and understanding of kite theory and technology. It also massively improves your own skills thanks in part to covering common mistakes new kiters often make.
The next pro training courses dates:
Assistant Training Course 30th January - 3rd February
Instructor Training Course 6th February - 10th February
First Aid Course 4th February