Level: Intermediate, Expert
Type: Island
Water type: Shallow, Flat, Chop, Small wave
Water hazards: Ships, Fishernets, Corals, Rocks, Stones, Shells
Water quality: Clean
Infos: Calm, flat and shallow water. There is a long breakwater about 250m out, which means you can cruise through dead-calm water even in 25 knot winds. Can get small chop when the wind gets above 20 knots. Unlike a lot of areas in Bahrain, the water here is relatively clean and unpolluted.
Beach type & size: Sand, Rocks, Stones - Medium
Infos: Part of a large man made island, the beach is made up of dredged seabed, so it's full of small shells and rocks. If the kite is dragged across the beach, it may get ripped. Plenty of launch space, plus the road comes right up alongside the beach.
Identified hazards: Rocks, Stones, Shells, Concrete, Road, Cars
Beachgoer: None
Weather specificities: Air temperature is very hot in the summer (45C+) and the water is warm, a pair of boardies is all you need. In the winter it can get chilly, the water gets cold and you'll need a wetsuit, (though if your hard, you can go without one).
Wind type: Thermal
Wind specificities: The wind generally blows either from the Northwest or the Southeast. The best wind for kiting up in Amwaj is the Northerly breeze, as this is usually strong ranging between 15-25 knots, while the Southerly breeze is normally pretty weak. The wind is generally unpredictable, especially in the summer. It might blow up for a couple of days and then disappear for a week or two. Summer is usually pretty dead, apart from June and July when the Northerly (Shamal) wind should pick up and blow more consistently. Winter is good as the wind is stronger and more constant, during the summer the wind is less predictable.
Best months: January, February, June, July, November, December
Access description: by Car - If driving from Manama, cross one of the two bridges to Muharraq and take a right at the first junction after the bridge. Follow the highway until you reach the Amwaj junction on your left, take this road into Amwaj and past the security post. Go straight through a few roundabouts, the road will wind around the Amwaj islands until the beach appears on your left. Turn onto one of the byroads, just before the first bridge. You can also cross the new bridge by Mina Sulman, take a left at the end of the highway and follow the road until the Amwaj junction appears on your right.
Specific rules: Zones
Extra: When you reach the security post in Amwaj, just tell them, "Kitesurfing" and they'll let you through. Be aware that Amwaj is a construction zone, both in and out of the water. There are a load of dredgers just outside the breakwater, with a lot of submerged piping and watch out for any construction material dumped around the launch area.
Nightlife: In Manama, JJ's/BJ's, Fiddler's, Sherlocks or the Bab Al Bahrain Hotel for the brave.
Accommodations: Parking
View spot
Level: Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Shallow, Chop, Small wave
Water hazards: Ships, Stones, Shells
Water quality: Crystal clear
Infos: Chop and small waves.
Beach type & size: Sand, Stones - Medium
Infos: Medium sized, sandy beach.
Identified hazards: Shells, Cars
Beachgoer: None
Weather specificities: Warm and sunny all year, a bit colder during winter.
Wind specificities: Predominating NW wind, which is best here.
Access description: by Car - End of Budayia Highway. Police station round-about: continue straight until Red Castle, turn left, beach on the right after castle.
Specific rules: Zones
Extra: Don't get too close to the small island (West) as it is a restricted area.
Accommodations: Parking
View spot