Galu Beach | Diani | Kenya
Kenya is the perfect kitesurfing destination for every level. Consistent trade winds and tropical temperatures all year round make it one of the top kite spots worldwide.
Wind & Weather Conditions in Kenya
There are two windy seasons for kitesurfing in Diani Beach. Due to its close geographical position to the equator, Kenya benefits from trade winds, that blow from mid-December to mid-March (Kaskazi) and from mid-June until mid-September (Kuzi).
The Kaskazi season is a very consistent wind, blowing with an average of 15-20 knots almost daily. The wind usually starts blowing around 11am and has its peak between 1pm & 5pm, before it slowly starts dropping off. Water temperature is around 28-30 degrees at that time of the year and air temperature is around 30-35 degrees. A wetsuit is definitely not needed on your kite vacation in Kenya, however, we do recommend good sun protection and long rash guards.
The Kuzi season is the Kenyan “winter” and the coolest time of the year on the Kenyan coast. The air temperature is around 24-28 degrees, water temperature is about 24-26 degrees. During the Kuzi season, it is likely to get rain showers here and there and we recommend packing a spring suit in your kite bag as it might get chilly with the stronger wind. On average you can expect the wind to blow at 15-25 knots during your kitesurfing holiday in Kenya at this time of the year. The Kuzi season also brings in some decent swell, which makes kiting surfing out on the reef a lot of fun!
Kite Spot Diani
Diani Beach is Africa’s leading beach destination and the powdery white sand and turquoise-coloured water with all its different shades of blue are pretty mind-blowing.
Kite254 is located at the southerly end of the kitesurfing spot in Diani Beach. It is a quieter and less crowded stretch of beach, which makes it especially nice for beginners to practise. We all know how stressful it can be to kite at a crowded spot when you are only just starting your journey as a kitesurfer and still gaining confidence.
All kite spots in Kenya are tide-dependent. With a tidal range of up to 4m during spring tides, Kenya has rather large tide differences. During the low tide, the outer reef in Diani forms a lagoon with shallow and flat water. Great for learning and also perfect to work on your freestyle/freeride skills. Around a lowish tide, you will also find waves breaking on the reef. They are fun to surf with a directional kiteboard or you can use them as kickers to boost some extra height.
With the incoming tide, the water starts to get choppy and deep everywhere, which makes foiling possible throughout the spot. There will also be a small shore break with the high tides.
The entry and exit zones have sandy ground, however, we do recommend reef shoes with a strong Kevlar sole to avoid injuries from rocks, corals, broken shells or sea urchins, especially during low tides. In case you do not have shoes, you can rent them at our kitesurfing centre in Diani for a small fee.
About 1km further north of our kitesurfing school you can find a beautiful sand bar at low tide which produces fantastic flat water to give you the best freestyle riding experience.
Join our team at Kite254 and be part of the vibe!
In case of any further questions related to the wind & weather conditions for kitesurfing or wing foiling in Kenya or the spot itself, do not hesitate to contact us!