Kitesurfing Kotu Beach

Wind & Conditions

Main kitesurf spot in Gambia on the W-African Atlantic coast near Banjul. Shore faces W; N/NW afternoon thermals fire Feb–Aug (8–20 kn). 205 windy days/year. Flat to small chop; shallow. Shallow enough to stand far out. Safety note: NO rescue services — helmet and travel insurance essential. Resort strip nearby; bars and accommodation on the beach.

About Kotu Beach

Kotu Beach sits on Gambia's Atlantic coastline, a short drive west of Banjul in the Greater Banjul area. The Gambia is a narrow strip of a country running inland from the Atlantic, and Kotu is the country's primary kitesurf destination — one of West Africa's more accessible spots for riders looking beyond the usual European circuits. The beach faces west, which sets up the wind well. The usable kite window runs from south through northwest (180°–359°), and the prevailing afternoon thermals blow from the north/northwest. That alignment gives you a predominantly side-to-side-onshore setup, which suits most skill levels. The thermals build reliably from around February through to August, and with some 205 windy days across the year, this is a genuinely consistent spot by any measure. Wind-wise, expect 8–20 knots in the thermal window. The wind is thermal-driven, so it builds through the afternoon and typically eases toward sunset — plan your sessions accordingly and aim to be rigged before midday. The water is flat to small chop, and it stays shallow a long way out. You can stand up far from shore, which makes a real difference when something goes wrong. And at Kotu, what goes wrong is your problem: there are no dedicated rescue services here. That's not unusual for West Africa, but it's worth taking seriously. Bring a helmet, carry a safety knife, and make sure your travel insurance covers water sports. Don't push limits at an unfamiliar spot without the fundamentals fully dialled. The launch area is beach-based, part of the resort strip that lines this stretch of coast. The practical upside of the resort location is that accommodation and food are immediately to hand. Coco Ocean Resort & Spa Hotel is the obvious landmark; Bakotu and Camping Sukuta Lodge offer alternatives at different price points. For food and drinks after a session, John Raymond's Beach Bar and Restaurant sits right on the beach, Elidi's Coffee & Bar works for a sit-down debrief, and Captain's Table, Al Terrace, Ali Baba, Eguette's Food & Drink, and the Belgian-owned place are all within easy reach on the strip. Getting there is straightforward — Kotu is well within the Banjul tourist strip and reachable by taxi from most area accommodation. No long tracks, no logistics puzzle. The tradeoff is beach traffic: tourists and vendors share the same stretch, so scope your launch and landing zone before setting up and stay aware of foot traffic when riding close to shore. Best season is February through August for consistent thermals. The sweet spot is probably March through June — early in the season can be lighter, and the wet season from mid-year onward can bring unsettled conditions. Pack a range of kite sizes if you can. Overall, Kotu is a practical, honest spot with real West African character. The shallow flat water and reliable thermals make it comfortable for intermediates building confidence; experienced riders will find it a low-stress session. Just go in clear-eyed about the no-rescue environment — that's the one thing that deserves your full attention.

Best Season

Check the Breeza app for the current rideable window at Kotu Beach.

World Ranking

Not globally ranked, but a kitesurf destination — a local favourite worth a check when the wind lines up.

Location

Kotu Beach, Greater Banjul, Gambia, Gambia

Lat: 13.4593, Lon: -16.7145