Kitesurf in South Africa : all you need to know
South Africa is a mythical country for kitesurfing, with the many videos of Table Mountain that we see during the King of The Air.
Winter is generally the best time to come for a kitesurfing stay.
The best spots are mainly in the south of the country, around the famous city of Cape Town.
High Season
Required level
Best suited for
Budget
Spots
Other activities
Why kitesurfing in South Africa is a good choice ?
South Africa borders both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, thus offering varied conditions for kite surfing.
The conditions are ideal, as evidenced by the professionals who regularly spend the winter there for training, or the large big air competitions that take place in Cape Town.
Besides kitesurfing, South Africa is a beautiful country that abounds with incredible excursion opportunities. However, be aware of the insecurity in the big cities.
Best period and spots to kite in South Africa
There are three main regions for kiting:
– The West coast facing the Atlantic, characterized by a consistent wind, very cold water, and large swells, even though there is also a lot of fun to be had in freestyle/freeride. (see Langebaan spot – one of the few spots in the area spared from sharks)
– The Southern region of Cape Town, the most renowned for kiting, which offers varied conditions as it is shared between the Atlantic and the Indian Ocean. (see the spots of Kitebeach – Table View and Sunrise Beach)
– And finally, the Durban region on the East coast, which is more like Florida, with warm water (Indian Ocean), less wind, and fewer risks of sharks. (see the spot of Durban KiteBeach)
Best season (for kiting):
– From November to March for the South and West coasts (Langebaan, Kite Beach Table View & Sunrise Beach)
– From August to November for the East coast (Durban Kitebeach)
Discover the kite spots in South Africa
Langebaan
Witsand
Sunset Beach
Durban
Kitebeach Table View
What we love most
Drawbacks
- Consistent wind (especially on the Atlantic coast)
- World-class waves
- A beautiful country
- Insecurity in big cities
- Shark risk even though there are always people in the water
Our best advices to travelers
How to get there ?
Travel time: Minimum 11h on a direct flight
Direct flight: to the capital and Cape Town (during winter)
Time difference: UTC+2
Airlines: KLM – Turkish Airline – Air France – Luftansa – South African Airline – Emirates
Main airports: Cape Town (CPT) and Durban (DUR)
Flight price: €750 / €1300
Formalities
- Mandatory vaccines: Yellow fever vaccine is required for travelers coming from or transiting through a yellow fever risk country.
- Visa requirements: American and British nationals need a visa to enter South Africa. The cost varies depending on the type of visa and length of stay.
- Electrical adapter: South Africa uses type D, M, and N electrical sockets. An adapter is needed for American and British plugs.
- Official language: English is one of the official languages spoken in South Africa.
- Currency: The currency used in South Africa is the South African Rand (ZAR).
Additional tips
You need a car to visit and move from spot to spot (not necessarily a 4×4).
Make sure you have what it takes to change a tire in the trunk!
Take precautions in big cities: locked doors, no valuable items in sight.
South Africa is a real treasure in terms of nature, wildlife, and flora, so don’t hesitate to venture a bit inland to explore!
What are the best non kitesurfing activities ?
Outside of kiteboarding, South Africa is a country rich in activities.
To start, if you come to South Africa for kiteboarding, there is a good chance you will be in Cape Town. So, a piece of advice, take the opportunity to hike up to the top of Table Mountain, the view from there is breathtaking!
Alternatively, there are many national parks in South Africa, the most famous being Kruger National Park, ideal if you have always dreamed of observing lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffaloes, these big animals known as the “big five”.
Lastly, I can only recommend that you go explore South African vineyards to discover and taste the wines from their terroirs.