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Jet skis off the Palm Jumeirah, with Atlantis and the palace hotels beyond, Dubai

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Surfing, Kitesurfing and Watersports in the Middle East

Surfing and kitesurfing in the Middle East range from Atlantic point breaks in Morocco to warm, steady winds on the Red Sea and a world-class wave pool in Abu Dhabi. Add sailing, jet skis and flyboards in Dubai, and the region makes a sunny base for a watersports vacation almost all year.

Updated

At a glance

Surfing and Watersports at a glance

Best surf
Taghazout, Morocco (October to March)
Best kite
Dahab, El Gouna, Masirah Island
Wave pool
Surf Abu Dhabi, Hudayriyat Island
Windsurf classic
Alaçatı, Türkiye
Water temperature
Red Sea and Gulf warm most of the year

Wind, waves and warm water

The region's coastlines face three seas and an ocean, and each brings its own conditions. Morocco's Atlantic shore catches long winter swells that roll into the point breaks around Taghazout and Agadir. The Red Sea, between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, has dependable wind and calm, shallow lagoons that are ideal for learning to kite. Oman's Arabian Sea coast comes alive with strong summer winds just as the rest of the Gulf heats up.

Where nature does not provide the wave, the Gulf has built one. Surf Abu Dhabi on Hudayriyat Island uses technology from Kelly Slater's wave company to produce long, perfectly shaped waves on demand, and it has brought professional surfing to the UAE. In Dubai, the calm, warm water off the Marina and Jumeirah is made for jet skis, flyboards, paddleboards and sunset sailing, often from the beach of a luxury resort.

Watersports trips pair naturally with diving, which we cover in diving and the outdoors, and with a stay on the region's best beaches. More of the region's sport lives on our Sport hub.

Colorful kites on the sand and in the sky at Mangroovy Beach, El Gouna, a kitesurfing spot on the Red Sea.
Photo: Marc Ryckaert · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

The best spots

Where to surf, kite, sail and play on the water.

Surfing

Taghazout

Near Agadir, Morocco

A former fishing village that became North Africa's surf capital, with famous right-hand points such as Anchor Point and Killer Point. Surf camps, yoga retreats and new luxury resorts line the bay.

Surfing

Imsouane

North of Agadir, Morocco

Home of one of the longest rideable waves in Africa, a gentle right that suits longboarders. A quiet, beautiful bay an hour up the coast from Taghazout.

Kite and windsurf

Essaouira

Essaouira, Morocco

Known as the Wind City, this walled port on the Atlantic has steady trade winds for kitesurfing and windsurfing much of the year. See our guide to Essaouira.

Wave pool

Surf Abu Dhabi

Hudayriyat Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE

A high-performance wave pool built with Kelly Slater Wave Company technology, producing waves for beginners through professionals. It has hosted an event on the World Surf League tour.

Surf and rafting

Wadi Adventure

Al Ain, UAE

A water park at the foot of Jebel Hafeet with man-made white-water rapids, a surf pool and kayaking. A fun day from Al Ain or Abu Dhabi.

Kitesurfing

Kite Beach

Jumeirah, Dubai, UAE

Dubai's favorite strip of sand for kitesurfing, beach sports and paddleboarding, with the Burj Al Arab on the horizon. Kite schools operate when the wind is up.

Jet ski and flyboard

Jet skis and flyboards in Dubai

Dubai Marina and JBR, UAE

Licensed operators run guided jet-ski tours past the Palm Jumeirah and the Burj Al Arab, plus flyboarding and wakeboarding. Book through your hotel for a reputable operator.

To be confirmedSailing

SailGP in Dubai

Dubai Harbour, UAE

The high-speed foiling catamaran league has raced in Dubai's waters in recent seasons, with grandstands on the harbor. Check the official calendar for the next Dubai date.

Official site ↗
Kitesurfing

Dahab

South Sinai, Egypt

A relaxed Red Sea town with a sheltered lagoon that is one of the best places anywhere to learn kitesurfing and windsurfing. See our guide to Dahab.

Kitesurfing

El Gouna

Red Sea coast, Egypt

A lagoon town of canals and resorts with flat-water kite spots and a strong kite-school scene. Pair it with our guide to El Gouna.

Kite and windsurf

Soma Bay and Safaga

Red Sea coast, Egypt

Steady, side-shore winds and long sandy bays have made this coast a favorite with windsurfers and kiters. Luxury resorts sit right on the water.

Kitesurfing

Masirah Island

Ash Sharqiyah South, Oman

Oman's kitesurfing hot spot, where strong, consistent winds blow during the summer monsoon season. Empty beaches, turtles and a true sense of adventure.

Surf and kite

Ras al Hadd and the Sharqiyah coast

Oman

Oman's eastern shore picks up Arabian Sea swells in season, with surf and kite spots far from the crowds. Combine with the turtle beaches nearby.

Windsurfing

Alaçatı

Çeşme, Türkiye

One of the Mediterranean's best-known windsurfing bays, with strong, steady summer winds and shallow water. The stone town behind it is full of boutique hotels and fine restaurants.

Sailing

Bodrum

Aegean coast, Türkiye

Sailing, wake sports and kite spots around a peninsula of coves and luxury marinas. See our guide to Bodrum.

When to go

SpotSportBest months
Taghazout, MoroccoSurfingOctober to March
Essaouira, MoroccoKite and windsurfApril to September
Dahab and El Gouna, EgyptKitesurfingMarch to November
Masirah Island, OmanKitesurfingMay to September
Surf Abu Dhabi, UAEWave poolYear-round
Dubai, UAEJet ski, flyboard, sailingOctober to April
Alaçatı, TürkiyeWindsurfingJune to September

Questions travelers ask

Where is the best surfing in the Middle East?

Morocco's Atlantic coast, above all around Taghazout, has the most consistent natural surf, best from October to March. For guaranteed waves, Surf Abu Dhabi's wave pool runs year-round.

Is the Red Sea good for beginner kitesurfers?

Yes. Lagoons in Dahab and El Gouna are shallow, flat and warm, with steady wind, which makes them some of the best places in the world to learn.

Can I rent a jet ski in Dubai without a license?

Guided rides with licensed operators are open to visitors, usually with a minimum age and a short safety briefing. Ride only with an approved operator and in permitted zones.

When is the wind best in Oman?

Oman's strongest kite winds come during the summer monsoon, roughly May to September, especially on Masirah Island. See when to go for the wider picture.

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