Shark Bay Kitesurf Spot in Western Cape
Africa Kiteboard Spot in South Africa
Shark Bay (don’t worry, no dangerous sharks) near Langebaan is a great spot to learn kitesurfing or for more advanced riders to practice their freestyle. The water is mainly waist to chest deep here and at low tide there are various sand bars which create mini flat water kitesurfing spots that are perfect for practicing tricks. It’s a popular spot among freeride kiters and there are also various kite schools who operate here, so it can get really busy on the beach. Luckily there is a big area to kitesurf in if you don’t care about having the flattest water or showing off to the spectators on the beach, and kiting a bit further upwind or out into the bay will give you plenty of room.
Shark Bay Kitesurfing wind conditions
Generally the kite season for Shark Bay is from December until April, when the wind averages between 20-30 knots most days. The weather is beautiful in South Africa at this time but the water is cold, so you’ll definitely want a good wetsuit for kiteboarding here: a decent 4/3 is generally ok, but go 5/4 if you get cold easily. At high tide the water is more choppy, so if you are after perfect flat water kitesurfing conditions you’ll want to be here at low tide instead. Be careful where you park your stuff on the beach and make sure it’s high and dry, as the tide can come in quickly and catch you unaware when you are out kitesurfing.
body wear
- long neo
- short neo
downwinder
- Yes
ride type
- freeride
- freestyle
- wakestyle
skill level
- intermediate
- advanced
- professional
spot type
- lagoon
starting area
- sandy beach
water condition
- choppy
wind daytime
- all day
wind type
- constant
Impressions
Wind Stats for Shark Bay Kiteboarding
Around the Kiteboarding Spot Shark Bay
Langebaan is just around the corner from Langebaan with loads of restaurants, cafes, bars and kite schools. The main beginner kitesurfing spot is in Langebaan itself, so if you are a group with different levels you can all kitesurf nearby. There’s always a party somewhere in Langebaan if you ask around, but for bigger city life you can drive to Cape Town itself which is around an hour and a half away. Cape town has shops, restaurants etc but also Table Mountain which is well worth hiking up for the views alone, and further past the city you’ll end up at the Cape of Good Hope. For any wine lovers South Africa has so many options, and you’ll easily find a tour from Langebaan going to the local vineyards for tastings and days out.
camper parking
- Overnight
car parking
- Nearby
emergency
- A medical center
- Kite repair
has restaurant
- Yes
has toilet
- Yes
has shower
- Yes
How to get to Shark Bay and how to bring it about while you're there
Fly into Cape Town International Airport (CPT) and from there it’s around an hours drive to Langebaan. If you plan to spend your whole time in Langebaan itself you can just get a taxi from the airport, but if you want to do any exploring at all, then having a car is essential. The area around Cape Town has so many kite spots to explore and so many other activities it would be a shame not to have your own transport if that’s an option.
accommodation
- near the spot
public transport
- Poorly developed
rental cars
- Recommended
Notice
Go there by car and bring some warm clothes as it might get freezing in the evening (at least for the girls).
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Wind Forecast for Shark Bay Kitesurfing
FAQs
Kiteboarding Spots around Western Cape
Hermanus, a coastal town in South Africa's Western Cape province, has increasingly become a sought-after destination for kitesurfing. This burgeoning interest is primarily driven by the area's optimal wind conditions and the diversity of kiting spots it offers, including the Klein River Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean. Historically, Hermanus has been renowned for its whale watching, but its natural beauty and favorable wind patterns have also made it a hub for water sports, especially kitesurfing.
