Weird dressed girl walking down the stairs to Shark bay

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 Kitesurf season

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

Weird dressed girl walking down the stairs to Shark bay
View from Restaurant over Shark Bay
View from terrace  over shark bay at sunset.
Florian preparing kite at Shark Bay
Shark Bay at low tide with few riders
Beach view at Shark Bay, white Sand, green grass and green water

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

Shark Bay, located near Langebaan, stands out as a top destination for intermediate and advanced kitesurfers due to its waist to chest deep waters and the emergence of sand bars at low tide, creating mini flat water spots perfect for practicing tricks. The spot is renowned for freestyle and freeride kiting, offering ample space and optimal conditions for riders looking to enhance their skills. However, it’s important to note that the beach can get crowded, so seeking space further upwind or out in the bay might be necessary for an uninterrupted experience.

Kiteboarding Spots around Western Cape

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South Africa - Hermanus

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.