Eilat

About This Spot

Eilat's kite spot sits at the head of the Gulf of Aqaba (Red Sea), at the southern tip of Israel. The main launch is the 'Reef Raf' / Coral Beach (Chof Almog) area about 5 km south of the city center, where the kite schools (KiteX/Kite X, Surf Center Eilat) operate — not the North Beach hotel strip in town. Wind: prevailing thermal-driven northerly that runs cross-shore (sideshore to slightly side-off). Strongest and most reliable April–September; April–May are the peak windy months. Summer days commonly average ~18 kn with frequent 20–25+ kn afternoons; winter (Nov–Feb) is lighter on the stats but locals report it stays usable and consistently sideshore — bring a wetsuit Dec–Feb and expect to wait for the better days. Roughly 150 rideable (12 kn+) days a year. Mornings tend cleaner, afternoons build chop. Water: deep, crystal-clear saltwater, choppy with small wind-swell — flat-ish near shore, no real waves. Lots of open water and room to ride, and usually not crowded on the water itself. Skill: suits intermediate to advanced. NOT for beginners who can't ride upwind — the usable beach is tiny and is the only launch/land point, so drifting downwind quickly puts you toward the Egyptian border (a few km south) and the protected coral reserve (~250 m south of the launch). Riding upwind here is essential. Hazards & rules: coral reef bottom (booties recommended; stay off the reserve), the Egypt border to the south, a very small launch beach that gets congested and unsafe when busy, and a side-off component that pushes you offshore — self-rescue skills matter. Kiting may require a permit or membership from the local kite organization, so check access rules before you launch. Schools, gear rental/repair, parking, toilets and food are on site.