Dakhla: the lagoon and the wind

The lagoon

The peninsula shelters the lagoon from the ocean swell, so the water inside is mostly flat, with shallow areas where beginners can stand at high tide. Sources give its length as 40 to 45 km. The open Atlantic on the other side of the peninsula has waves for those who want them.

Spots around the lagoon suit different levels, from wide shallow flats for lessons to long downwinders for experienced riders. Many kite camps are set along the shore outside the city.

The wind

Trade winds blow from the north for much of the year. Kite schools commonly quote 300 or more windy days a year, often between 15 and 25 knots. The strongest, most reliable period is roughly spring to late summer; December and January tend to be lighter.

Beyond the kite

Oysters are farmed in the lagoon and served fresh in the city. Inside the lagoon, the Dune Blanche, a white sand dune facing the water, is a popular stop. The landscape is open desert meeting the ocean: big skies, few trees and cool water even when the air is warm.

Getting there

Dakhla has an airport with flights from Casablanca and some seasonal routes from Europe. By road it is a very long journey down the coast. Most visitors stay in camps or hotels by the lagoon and arrange transfers through them.

From babouche to hydrofoil

The Not House Trained design starts with the babouche, the soft leather slipper with a folded-down heel worn all over Morocco. In the illustration it becomes a kite-powered hydrofoil: a familiar indoor shoe heading out into the wind and freedom associated with Dakhla.