KITESURFING ZANZIBAR

Do you want to go kitesurfing in Zanzibar but you are not sure whether there is enough wind? Do you want to be sure to go in the best kite period?

I worked in Zanzibar for three months and heard this question often repeated among my friends. That’s why I decided to write this article with all the information needed to go kitesurfing in Zanzibar.

Zanzibar is an island in Tanzania easily accessible by plane. In recent years the flow of tourists is growing a lot thanks to its paradisiacal beaches, perfect to relax for a week or to practice kitesurfing. In fact, much of the east coast is exposed to monsoons and that’s why Zanzibar is becoming one of the best kite spot in the Indian Ocean.

You want to know why you should read my article and trust me. Read something more about me and why I wrote it

There are two differents wind that blows in Zanzibar and they determine the two best kite period :

The “Kuzi”, S-SE monsoon who blows parallel to the east island coast. It blows between July and mid Septemberat 11 to 22 knots.

The “Kazkazi”, NE wind, which is lighter. Normally it blows around 10 to 18 knots. It blows consistently during January and February.

The average temperature are always between 20° – 30° and the sun it’s often shining. Only in Avril and May the clouds can eclipse the sun.

The water temperature is around 25° – 29°.

You can kite in swimsuit.

During the “kuzi” period the kite more useful can be between 9m and 12m, but it can be always helpful to have bigger size.

During the “kazaki” period in better to have bigger kite, so you need to have at least a 12m. Just in few occasions you can need a smaller kite.

There is a “long rainy” season between March to May. April and May are the rainest period and it can be a real flood.

The “short rainy” season is between mid October to December, when the Kazaki is approching to the island.

In general Zanzibar is a sunny island but is located on the tropical area so you can have some rainfall during all the year-round.

Here you will find a lagoon to discover to the rhythm of the tides. At low sea freestyle is a real pleasure, while at high tide you will want to devote yourself to freeriding, even in hydrofoil, sailing downwind and upwind to the lagoon. If you wanna catch some waves you need to wait the high tide and go close to the reef. The wind it’s mostly light so if you don’t unhook you can practise some old school tricks rather than big jump.

The lagoog is huge and it’s easy to find your own space. The conditions are perfect to do a first kite course or the first waterstart. For who want to progress it’s one of the best spot. I do advice you this spot to all level riders. The only sore point is when the wind blows completely on shore and the tide is high because it becomes more difficult for beginners.

The water is mostly flat but when the tide is high it can become a bit more choppy, which is perfect for freestyle or freeride. Then you can do some waveriding close to the reef even if it’s not the main reason why people come to kite in Zanzibar.

This spot offer a lot of opportunities.

Facilities : on the spot there is a kite school, Jungle Kite School, which offer also a food service. Then you can find more resorts or other restaurants on the same beach.

Danger :the greatest danger are represented by some “dhows”, typical Zanzibar boat, in the middle of the spot and by some wood sticks which are not visible at high tide. Then you have to be careful about some sea urchins when you get closer to the reef.

Warning :the tides. Each 6 hours you have one low tide and one high tide. During the days of the full moon or new moon at low tide the lagoon is completely empty. It’s very fascinating to see it but be careful cause the lagoon it’s gonna be full soon and if you are close to the reef it can be tricky. The “jungle kite school” can give you the exact time of the tides.