Wind in Kenya, waves, and local knowledge on our Mombasa seas and surrounds is key for your sports holiday in Kenya. Take a few minutes to read some detailed info on the weather in Kenya, global warming and unpredictability of today's world weather patterns permitting!
Wind
Mombasa has trade winds blowing consistently cross-shore at varying strengths through the year. It's pretty easy here through, the wind blows for six months of the year from the North East (Kaskazi) and then six months from the South East (Kusi).
After the "short rains" of October, the Kaskazi, from the North-East, howls in from mid December through January/February and lightens up towards the end of March. This is the first peak tourist season for Kenya, hot and windy. The Kusi, from the South East, comes in during the May "Long rains", and then blows through June, July and August. It then lightens up towards the end of September. This is the second peak tourist season for Kenya and the weather and ocean is a bit cooler (approx 24 C) and has bigger swell at this time.
Kitesurfing's prime seasons for beginners, intermediates from June 15th to 30th September, and 15th December to 31st March, with the wind speed peaking mid season on both seasons, which is best for advanced riders.
Kitesurfing generally can be all year round, with the exception of the months of November and April where the change of season affects these months very still and muggy. Windsurfing (learning and intermediate) can be all year (except November and April) with the best months for advanced windsurfers being June, July, August, January and February.
Water/Air Temperature
The water is the same temperature as a bath water, so no wetsuit needed! Air temperature is 34 - 36 C for most of the year, so boardies and bikinis are fine! The only time that it might be considered a bit cool from wind chill (24 – 28 C) is during the season from June – August, a rash vest or 3 mm top is advised if you feel the cold and are out all day. Water temp is at its peak of 28 C in the Kaskazi season, and at approx 24 C in the Kusi season.
The temperature and wind speeds are posted up at the centre twice a day, everyday!
Coral Reef
The reef runs along the entire Kenyan coast about 1km from the beach and acts as protective barrier. Although we have daily tidal changes we always have water in our beautiful lagoon at low tide as well at Nyali, unlike anywhere else on the North Coast.
Water Depth
The beach slopes off at a gentle angle and then depth is depending on the tide, but at Nyali there is always water even at low springs (unlike anywhere else on the North Coast strip). The depth on launching at the beach at a neap tide is approximately less than 1 m and gets progressively deeper, where at about 500 m from the shore the depth is about 3 – 4 meters. It then gets shallow again and at approx 750 m from the shore is back up to about 2 – 1 m, depending on the tides.