Watamu kitesurf guide: Kaskazi wind, Kite Beach and Turtle Bay
The Kaskazi blows from the north-east at Watamu from December, averaging around 20 to 25 knots and usually picking up around 11 am. Kite Beach has flat water and reef waves; Turtle Bay, Plot 40 and Jacaranda have flat water.
Yes, Watamu on Kenya’s north coast is a good place to kitesurf from December to February. The Kaskazi blows from the north-east in those months, averaging around 20 to 25 knots and usually picking up around 11 am. Riders of all levels can choose between flat water and reef waves.
Facts as of November 2026, from the sources listed at the end of this page.
When is the Watamu kitesurf season?
Watamu has two wind seasons. The Kaskazi runs from December to April, although the Kite Beach section of the IKSURFMAG guide gives December to March. The Kuzi blows from June to September. December to February is inside the Kaskazi by either count.
What is the wind like in Watamu?
The Kaskazi comes from the north-east and averages around 20 to 25 knots. It usually picks up around 11 am. At Kite Beach it blows cross-onshore.
Where do you kitesurf in Watamu?
Kite Beach mixes flatter water with reef waves, which gives kitesurf riders a choice of both.
For flat water there are three other spots:
- Turtle Bay has a sandbar that works from December to March, near low tide.
- Plot 40 has flat water but can get busy.
- Jacaranda has flat water too.
The sources rate Watamu for all levels, and it is also listed for SUP.
What should you watch out for?
- A few coral patches show at the lowest tides.
- The reef lies about 1 to 2 km out.
- Plot 40 can be busy.
The beaches are part of Watamu Marine National Park. The sources do not set out the park’s rules for kiting, so check them locally before you ride.
How do you get to Watamu?
The closest airport is Malindi (MYD), about 20 minutes away by car. From Mombasa it is about 2 hours by road.
Further south on the Kenyan coast, Diani Beach gets the same Kaskazi, and so does Paje on Zanzibar in Tanzania.
How windy is Watamu from December to February?
Share of days with at least three consecutive daylight hours at 11 knots (4 Beaufort) or more, over the last 10 southern summers (2015/16 to 2024/25).
| December | January | February | Mean daylight wind | Most common direction | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watamu | 13% | 52% | 54% | 9 kn | ENE |
Our calculation from NASA POWER hourly wind at 10 m (MERRA-2 model), 09:00 to 18:00 local solar time. The model grid is about 50 km wide, so it smooths out local sea breezes and gusts: use these figures to compare spots and months, and check a local forecast before you go.
Where do people ride at Watamu right now?
Explore+ in the Waterspeed web app shows recent sessions on a map, with sport and top speed, so you can see which spots are working before you go. Open Explore+. To record your own sessions, Waterspeed runs on iPhone, Android, Apple Watch and Wear OS, and syncs Garmin, COROS and Suunto.
FAQ
When is the kitesurf season in Watamu?
The Kaskazi blows from December, lasting to March or April depending on the source. The Kuzi blows from June to September.
What time does the wind start in Watamu?
The Kaskazi usually picks up around 11 am.
Which airport is closest to Watamu?
Malindi (MYD), about 20 minutes by car. Mombasa is about 2 hours away by road.
