Level: Intermediate, Expert

Type: Ocean

Water type: Flat, Chop, Small wave

Water hazards: Rocks

Infos: Water ranges from flat calm (when you need a big kite for the low wind) to choppy with some lovely little waves for jumps. It's shallow enough to get a reasonable distance out from the beach (about 30 m), but then shelves quite steeply. There are waves breaking 200-300m off shore. At Kotu Beach you will find a lot chaotic waves sometimes building fast and a nice flat shore break to surf. At low tide beware of the rocks on the left side which you will the see. This spot is not a beginner spot but if you are advanced you will have a lot fun. If you are a beginner it is better to walk a few 100 meters to the right side to get less and lower waves.

Beach type & size: Sand - Medium

Infos: The beach is nice and sandy, but does have a lot of shells, so you have to be careful with the kite. There is adequate space to launch/land a kite, but care has to be taken because of other beach users and inquisitive locals. You can enter/exit the water anywhere along the beach front (the bay extends for about 1.5 km). At the Kotu Beach bar the local people will help you to setup your kite.

Identified hazards: Shells, Bystanders

Weather specificities: The water is very warm in summer and cooler in winter. A wetsuit is not necessary at any time of the year, but in January you should take a wetsuit with you, since the water in the morning is pretty cold. Best season is winter (November to June). There are good days in the summer, but it can rain a lot.

Wind type: Thermal

Wind specificities: During winter season, probably 70% of the time you can expect 8-20 kts. Usually sideonshore, but occasionally offshore. If you have wind from East in the early morning then hurry up. The thermal will kill the wind around noon if the sky is clear (you will find this wind situation most probably in December to February). Wind from the East means you have to ride at Kotu Beach or right of it. Then you will have sideshore wind. All the beaches to the left will have offshore or sideoffshore winds. If you have no wind in the morning you can expect a nice thermal wind in the afternoon from N or NW. Then you can use all beaches because it will be sideonshore (this will be the case from February and later). 70% of the days wind from NE dying out around noon, but good kite circumstances for bigger gear.

Access description: by Car - From Banjul drive westwards towards the coast and get to Kotu. From the 'Kotu Strip' group of hotels, go out onto the beach, turn left and walk the half km to the point (Kotu Point Beach Bar).

Specific rules: None

Extra: The fisherman close to Kotu Beach are briefed. If your kite stays down a long time they will start a rescue operation with their fisher boat. Please pay them afterwards. Highly recommend a helmet is worn and that you have travel insurance because local medical facilities are poor and there are NO rescue facilities. Be nice to the fishermen and watch out for other beach users. Make sure you have safety equipment as if something does go wrong there is no-one there to help. The locals here have never seen much kitesurfing so expect to generate a crowd. Be careful though as they will want to help you with everything without knowing what they are doing.

Nightlife: The best bar in Gambia is "The Green Mamba", off the car park at the bottom of the Senegambia Strip. Look for the flashing palm tree! Numerous bar and restaurants. Try the shacks on the beach they are very friendly, cook great food and are amazingly cheap (4 for 2 fish and chips and 6 beers).

Accommodations: Rooms, Food