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This article is for adventure seekers who want to help get their pulse racing whilst on holiday in Oman.
If you are into water sports, or if you’re eager to give them a try, the great news is that you’ve stumbled upon the right article and the right country – Oman is an epic place no matter if you’re a seasoned kitesurfer or you’re just starting out.
Oman has some fantastic beaches all across the country and we highly recommend that you check out our ‘best beaches in Oman’ article so you can help to plan your Oman adventure.
An introduction to kitesurfing and kiteboarding
Kitesurfing and kiteboarding are a form of water sport activity where the participant uses a surf or bodyboard-style instrument that is powered by a large kite to pull a person across the water.
If you are just getting started with this sport, following these tips will help you succeed:
- Make sure you’re confident to swim in open water
- Have a moderate amount of fitness
- Get some lessons from an experienced teacher
- Choose an instructor that has completed their training with a recognised professional body, such as the IKO, BKSA or VDWS
- Get used to using the kit
- Get signed off by a qualified instructor before attempting kitesurfing or kiteboarding on your own
The terminology of kitesurfing
To newbies, the terminology around kitesurfing can be very confusing and you’ll often hear lots of different phrases such as kitesurfing, kiteboarding, kite sailing or even kiters!
Kitesurfing and Kiteboarding in Oman
Oman is still relatively unknown. Countless millions visit Dubai and do what? Hang around bars, go to nightclubs, wake up and try to shake off a Hang Over and then do the same thing again until the money runs out. Some more adventurous might go to a water park like wild wadi. This water park is a lot of fun but a short drive away is a whole country with unlimited possibilities for outdoor adventures.
In the north of Oman is the world’s longest Zip line over water. There are endless rock climbing routes, numerous canyons to explore and water sports of all types. Of all the water sports the one that is gaining in popularity is Kite surfing or Kite boarding.
The coast line of Oman is over 3000 Km long so the number of access points to the sea to deploy your kites are almost limit less. And in the summer months mid June to September along the South East coast the monsoon winds blow consistently. Day after day for 2 1/2 months all you need is the stamina to surf until you can’t anymore.
Because the winds are constant this means the wave break is constant and so for those with just surf boards and no kites there are some great Surfing beaches. When I was a student I used to spend my summers trying to surf in Newquay the UK. The weather was normally always miserable the sky was grey the water was cold. But the worst part was there was only decent surf just before bad weather. So we just spent too much time in the Pub.
If someone had told me then that there was a place on this planet where:
- The winds were constant
- I could surf until I was too tired to surf anymore
- That the water was warm and I did not need a wet suit
- That the sun was always up
- That I could camp in the wild
- That there were no fees to camp
- That I could hire a car and buy petrol at a fraction of the cost of back home
- That the locals were very friendly
I would probably have said but is there a pub ? But I was young and now I know that I can buy my favorite Sundowners on arrival at Muscat Airport.
The pros and cons of kitesurfing and kiteboarding in Oman
Like any country, there are both pros and cons to undertaking water sports in Oman and you need to be aware of both before participating in kitesurfing or kiteboarding.
Let’s start with the cons:
Weather
Oman is a very hot country and you need to be prepared and take precautions against the extreme heat, especially during the very hot months of April, May and June. Even outside of these months, the average temperature is well above 30 degrees which is hotter than many of us are used to.
Getting to the water
Oman, like other countries, can present challenges to get to within a close enough proximity to the beach to be able to unload your water sports gear. If you’d like to know about driving in Oman, you should check out our article on hiring a car in Oman.
Remote beaches
Going hand in hand with the point above, some of the beaches in Oman are remote. This can cause difficulties not with just getting to them but present challenges in the form of toilet access, especially when travelling with children, or even worse, they can be far away from the nearest town in case of an emergency situation.
Let’s finish on the positives:
Warm water
For those of you who have swum in colder climates, you’ll all know about the hassle of putting on a wetsuit. Well, the great news in Oman is that there’s no need for one!
Constant wind
If you’re interested in water sports such as kiteboarding or kitesurfing, Oman’s constant wind is great for supporting your activity.
No crowds
Oman’s beaches can be very quiet, especially during midweek, so if you’re lucky you will get yourself to a peaceful location.
Flat or low wave environments
Oman’s beaches are brilliant for providing a range of flat or low wave environments, making the perfect scenario for beginners and more advanced kiteboarders.
Picking the perfect kite spots
If you’re planning on going kitesurfing, you’ll need to know how to pick the perfect kitesurf spots and you should follow these tips to help get the best from your activity.
- You need to find a kitesurfing spot that has a consistent wind that isn’t too strong. There’s no point in having a strong gust one minute and nothing the next, the consistency of the wind is key to being able to participate in kiteboarding.
- Choose a sensible and safe spot. Steer clear of estuaries and rip tides which could cause you severe problems. If in doubt, check with local lifeguards, or if none are present ask locals for their advice.
- Get the perfect water conditions. For kiteboarding, you’ll generally need flat water that will help you whizz along it on your board. Other water sports may need waves so you need to choose the perfect water conditions according to your chosen sport.
The best kitesurfing spots in Oman
We’ve already told you that Oman has some of the best beaches in the world, and if you haven’t checked out our other article yet, we strongly advise giving the ‘best beaches in Oman’ a read as this will help you plan your beach adventures.
Photo Date: 20 July, 2024Masirah Island
Masirah Island is a hugely popular destination for kitesurfing and kiteboarding sports. Whilst at Masirah island you can visit the stunning beaches, take part in water sports activities, or just relax in this stunning location.
Another interesting fact is that Masirah Island is home to a population of around 12,000 people. Whilst this isn’t a huge number, Masirah Island is only 95km (59 mi) long and between 12 and 14 km (7.5 and 8.7 mi) wide. Most of the 12,000 population live in villages in the north of Masirah island.
You might like to read this:
6 Breathtaking Islands in Oman You Don’t Want to Miss
Mughsail Beach
This Salalah Oman beach is only a 30-minute drive away from Salalah so makes a popular choice for day trippers looking to escape the city. This white sand beach is the perfect spot for couples and families and is a popular place to participate in watersports.
Ain Sahalnoot Salalah
During the monsoon season, Ain Sahalnoot Salalah fills with water and there is potential for participating in watersports activities such as kite sailing or kiteboarding. As this isn’t a beach or coastal location it would only be possible during a very small part of the year.
Ain Razat Salalah
Similar to Ain Sahalnoot Salalah, Ain Razat Salalah is a popular tourist destination that fills with water during the Khareef. What is different about this place is that there is water present across the year, but during the Khareef it may be possible to undertake kitesurfing or other water sports due to the extra water.
Ain Garziz Salalah
This place has an excellent water spring during the Khareef meaning there’s a definite possibility of being able to participate in kitesurfing during parts of the year.
Ain Athum
This seasonal waterfall and surrounding lagoon is an extremely popular tourist destination. During the Khareef there is an abundance of water which draws crowds and also fills the area with plenty of stallholders trying to sell goods to the tourists.
All of the places we’ve listed above are near Salalah and although they offer some kiteboarding potential, apart from Mughsail Beach, where water is present all year round, the others are more of a seasonal attraction.
But, the great news is that Oman is a country with many delights and this includes some fantastic beaches which will have brilliant kitespots, which are spread out all over the country. We recommend that you read about the best beaches in our ‘best beaches in Oman’ article and then plan your kitebeaches adventure from there.
It’s also important to remember that water sports such as kiteboarding, kitesurfing, and kite sailing is an upcoming sport in Oman and whilst they continues to grow, all of the infrastructure isn’t fully in place yet so it is good to plan your adventure in advance to avoid disappointment.
Kitesurfers Car & Camping Equipment
If you are looking for cars equipped with camping gear and ready for kitesurfing adventures, see below:
Checkout out Kite surfers car and camping equipment:
Kitesurfers car and camping equipment rental
Learn from others
We’d strongly recommend that you check out some kite surfing videos on YouTube or elsewhere so you can get a flavour of what’s in store for you if you decide to participate in this water sport.
Always remember you are participating in a dangerous sport and you need to be aware of the following risks:
- Drowning: Kiteboarding is a water-based sport so there is every possibility you could drown whilst participating. You can prevent any serious accidents by wearing all the appropriate safety gear and taking part in official training lessons.
- Weather: You need to respect the weather conditions and if it looks too dangerous to enter the water then don’t risk it!
- Equipment failure: Make sure you double-check all equipment prior to participating in any form of kitesurfing.
- Emergencies: Be prepared for an emergency scenario and know where you can get to for help.
Taking kitesurfing on land
Kitebuggies are so cool and if you’ve never heard of them you’ll wish you had a kitebuggy after seeing one.
They are basically the land version of kitesurfing and they allow the participant to ride a purpose-built vehicle in a large open space. Some of Oman’s beaches are perfect for kitebuggy activities!
This is also a great activity if you’re not overly confident in the water and would prefer to keep your feet dry.
As with kitesurfing, if you decide to ride a kitebuggy it’s important to respect that this is an extreme sport and follow all the necessary safety procedures.
The best time to visit Salalah for water sports
If you’d like an in-depth analysis of the weather in Salalah we urge you to check out our other article All About Salalah Oman’ where we have provided weather information for every quarter of the year.
If you’re travelling to Oman with the idea of taking part in water sports activities, such as kitesurfing, the good news is that you’re going to be greeted with a year-round climate that is favourable for heading to the beach.
For those unaware of the Middle Eastern climate, what’s different to other parts of the world such as Europe is that you probably wouldn’t head to the beach in what we would call the summer months between May and August. There are two reasons for this in Salalah and Oman and the first is that between April and June, the weather is extremely hot, often reaching highs of mid-forties which would be too hot to go to the beach. The other issue is that July, August and part of September are referred to as Khareef otherwise known as monsoon season which may impact some water sports.
Therefore, the best time to visit Salalah for water sports such as kitesurfing would be any part of the rest of the year, so between September and April. This is when the temperature drops a bit and very little rainfall is present so you can take the maximum opportunity of being at the beach.
The Oman kitesurfing season
We’ve already mentioned what we think the best time to visit Salalah for water sports is, and whilst this is generally true for the whole of Oman, there isn’t any reason why you can’t go kitesurfing at any time as long as you’ve taken precautions against any weather conditions.
The great thing about the Oman kitesurfing season is that with how warm it is across the country; the sea will be warm enough to go in without a wetsuit at any time of the year!
The other great news about the Oman kitesurfing season is that there is a pretty persistent wind across Oman, especially in the coastal areas, so coupled with the warm temperature this provides the perfect platform for kitesurfing.
Travelling from Muscat to Salalah
If you’ve already read our other articles such as ‘All About Salalah Oman‘ or ‘Places to see in Salalah‘ you will have seen we’ve already covered travelling from Muscat to Salalah.
To recap, travelling from Muscat to Salalah by car is going to take you around 10 hours and you’re going to need to drive well over 600 miles, so make sure you plan your journey and know where to stop en route, especially if you’re travelling with children.
Another way of travelling from Muscat to Salalah is to catch an internal flight from Muscat International Airport to Salalah International Airport, which will seriously cut down your travelling time and you can book yourself a hire car for when you arrive. As well as hiring a car directly at Salalah International Airport there are also other car rental Salalah options and if you prefer you can choose to hire one from either the Salalah City Office or Salalah West City Office. If you’re interested in renting a car in Oman, we suggest you check out our car rental page on our website.
