anyone got info for kitesurfing around mid may? or if there is any way of hiring gear over there,

cheers james

got a good mate in dahab who runs a kitescool. james hodge is his name and the company is called happy kite..

find him on facebook for more details.

jp out

You can kite in Dubai at kitebeach just to the North of the Burj. You will need a permit to kite there though, just ask the locals. Rediculously busy though.

I used to live in Dubai (learnt to kite there), and yes, the winds are generally light so big kites are the norm, although May is probably the most consistent Month for wind.

The main kite beach is just North of the Burj Al Arab hotel, but it can get real busy, and common sense / courtesy can be a rarity. Your are supposed to have a license to kite there (i.e. IKO) but it seemed like a lot of people don’t have anything at all. You are also not supposed to kite from Dubai beaches on Fridays.

If you’ve got wheels and don’t mind driving about one hour, Ras Al Khaimah is a great spot. Nice clear flat water, sometimes with a few turtles kicking around, but it’s fairly well isolated so take food, drinks, etc. Here are the directions:
1. Follow the Emirates road towards RAK.
2. Come off at dreamland Leisure Park turning. (Junction 103)
3. Go down to the old Sharjah R.A.K. road.
4. Turn right at the roundabout with the weird centre piece
5. Past the Barracuda hotel (if you know it - CHEAP duty free booze - no liquor license required - a must stop if going to RAK)
6. Past dream land leisure park
7. After passing dreamland about 10 minutes later you will come to 3 speed bumps in the road. 5km after these you need to cross the duel carriage way.
8. If you cross a white bridge or even reach al Hamra fort hotel you have gone too far.


Rental kites - sorry, but I'm not sure about the rental options.


Oman: There is excellent and consistent wind in Oman during the middle of the year, check out the area around Masirah Island. But keep in mind that it's a long way from anywhere, and there is bugger all there except great kiting.