What’s it like Kiteboarding in Kenya. My wife and I travelled around Kenya earlier this year on our bicycles and ended up at Diani Beach, near Mombassa in Kenya.

What transpired was ten days of joy and relaxation on the most beautiful beach in Africa combined with four days of excitement and fun whilst learning a new sport. Kiteboarding! This post is written very much from a beginner’s perspective of learning Kiteboarding in Kenya. Let’s Go!

Here’s a quick summary of what we discovered.

1. Can you kiteboard in Kenya?

Yes you can!
Kenya is the perfect destination for kiteboarders from all levels. Whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or advanced-level kiteboarder, you’ll be able to find the perfect spot in Kenya. With its sandy beaches and strong winds, the East African country is the ideal place for an adventurous kiteboarding holiday. Whether you’re looking to learn how to kiteboard or just have some fun on the waves, Kenya has something for everyone!

We had the pleasure of choosing Galu Beach, next to Diani to learn to kiteboard and it was a perfect beginners’ paradise. Diani Beach kitesurfing is excellent, the warm shallow lagoon is extensive and provided a perfect playground to begin our kiteboarding journey. In Diani Beach, Kenya the accommodation was affordable, comfortable and peaceful in the form of the Diani Beach Chalets. The freshly cooked seafood obtained daily from the local fisherman was a delicious treat. The area abounds with wildlife, the sunsets are absolutely beautiful and the beach is voted the most beautiful in Africa.

2. Kenyan kiteboarding locations

Where can I learn Kiteboarding in Kenya? Here’s a list of the most popular kiteboarding spots in Kenya.

1. Diani Beach.
2. Galu Beach.
3. Nyali Beach.
4. Watamu.
5. Malindi.
6. Shelly Beach – Mombasa.

Galu Beach is known for Galu Kinondo, a palm-lined sandy stretch popular for kitesurfing and paddleboarding. Snorkelers and divers can spot seahorses and ghost pipefish near the offshore reef, while colobus monkeys, vervets, and other primates feature on eco-tours run by Colobus Conservation. Fish restaurants have beachside tables, and lodging ranges from waterfront resorts to luxury thatched villas.

Google Quick Fact

Galu and Diani beaches are adjacent to each other. We have the experience of enjoying both these beaches and the miles of fine sand, palm trees and Kenyan sunshine and hospitality. From a beginner kiteboarder’s perspective, Galu and Diani Beach are great choices. With an average water temperature of 22 to 25 degrees Celsius and uncrowded waters, it’s a great place to learn kiteboarding in Kenya.

3. What Equipment Will I Need?

Remember kiteboarding is an exciting and active sport that can be enjoyed by both men and women of all skill levels, from beginners to advanced.

To get started, you’ll definitely need the right equipment such as a kiteboard, kite, harness and flotation device. Depending on where you’re located, you may also need additional items such as a helmet, wetsuit or other safety gear. With the right equipment in hand, you are ready for an adventure-filled and fun kiteboarding experience in Kenya!

If you’re just getting going and haven’t completed your intermediate levels of 4 and 5 where you’re qualified to ride on your own and set up your own equipment it is very advisable to connect with a Kiteboarding Instructor or Kiteboarding School. The instructor will ensure you have all the necessary equipment, you’ll be trained in safety, how to rescue yourself in the water with a kite, how to use your gear, how to set up and put away, and all the fundamentals that could save your life.

4. Kenyan Kiteboarding schools

You’ll have absolutely no problem finding a kiteboarding school in Kenya. There are plenty and they’re very happy to have your business. You’ll need to ask around to find out the price and what’s being offered. You should aim for the best value and not just go for the cheapest.

We decided to go with Reef Kiteboarding, a local kitesurfing school in the Galu Beach part of Diani Beach. Why? Our approach was based on wanting to support a local kiteboarding school. There are many kiteboarding schools run by overseas operators who have a distinct advantage over the locals in terms of technology, marketing, equipment and capital to fund the business. Unemployment is rife in Kenya and any local who is employed may be the only breadwinner in a large family.

With this in mind, we stumbled upon Swaleh the owner, Said, Shem and Salim, four very cool and awesome locals who are Reef Kiteboarding, and they operate a small centre in Galu Beach. Swaleh knows his stuff, is IKO qualified and all their courses are set up to IKO standards. They were friendly and we received very good instruction, I was up and riding by lesson four much to the enthusiastic guidance and encouragement from Said shouting instructions to me from waist height in the water.

I can highly recommend Reef Kiteboarding from personal experience and their Google Reviews. There are however many qualified schools to choose from. The school will be able to give you advice on the Diani Beach kitesurfing season and the Kenya kitesurfing season.

5. travelling tips for enjoying kiteboarding in Kenya

You can fly into Nairobi or Mombassa and then easily get connections to wherever you wish to go. There are flights direct into Ukunda (Diani Beach) from Nairobi. Kenya is a modern country however poverty is rife so you must prepare to be approached lots by vendors trying to sell you a carving or a bracelet or a tour or something. There will be many opportunists who will be more than happy to sell you something as a foreigner who is unaware of the local prices. Always negotiate lower prices, and speak to someone who can give you a rundown on fair prices for taxis, curios, tours, food and restaurant prices.

Kenya is renowned for its friendliness, and we felt completely safe there. Although there are many poor people around we never experienced any theft. When we were out touring on our mountain bikes we never had to lock them up as we would have in the UK. You will however be approached lots to offer some form of support, so be prepared for this.

We decided to support a certain amount every day to the vendors and then be happy that we couldn’t help everyone.

We bought fresh fish every day from the local fisherman who ran small cooperatives along the beach, and there were delightful fisherman’s restaurants right on the beach being run by the locals in that area. You will have no difficulty in your food choices from well-stocked supermarkets to local fruits and veg stalls selling the most delicious ripe mangos and avocados for less than a pound.

You will also have no difficulty with accommodation. Everyone will have a different budget so you can go from 5-star all-inclusive to a delightful private self-catering beach chalet. We chose the latter in the form of Diani Beach Chalets, a basic but well-equipped beach chalet, with a garden and unobstructed view right out into the vast Indian Ocean. We witnessed the most amazing sunsets sipping a cold beer on our verandah and tucking into fresh seafood direct from the local fisherman. The beach chalets were actually large enough for 2 families, so hook up with your best friends and plan your kiteboarding holiday in Kenya, you will not regret it.

Conclusion

As a beginner, I would highly recommend Kenya as a fantastic kiteboarding destination. I would happily go back there on my next break. Kenya is a cheap destination if you’re street-smart and well-prepared. Our experience with Reef Kiteboarding and the Diani Beach Chalets made our stay in Diani Beach a beautiful memory that we chat about a lot. We look forward to returning as soon as we can to hone our kite surfing skills in the turquoise-warm waters of the Indian Ocean off the tropical paradise that is Galu Beach.

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