Aqaba

About This Spot

Aqaba is Jordan's only coastal kite spot, on the northern tip of the Red Sea's Gulf of Aqaba. The kiteable beaches are along South Beach / Tala Bay, south of the city, where H&S Water Sports (the area's only IKO center) operates. Wind is thermal and predominantly side-shore from the north (~80-90% of sessions), funneled down the narrow gulf. Season runs roughly mid-March to mid-October, with wind on ~75% of days year-round; windiest periods are Sept-Nov and Feb-June, while July-Aug tend to be lighter. On working days expect 18-22 kn, with occasional 30-35 kn days for stronger riders; mornings can be glassy and build to afternoon thermal. This is a deep-water spot with lots of open space and low crowds — good for both progressing beginners and freeride/freestyle intermediates. Water is crystal-clear and warm (24-29°C); it's choppy with 0.5-1 m wind chop and small afternoon swell rather than true flatwater, so it's not a slick butter-flat venue. Launch and access: beach frontage is limited and much of the deep water has no standing depth, so most beginner lessons are run from a boat (theory and kite control on the beach first). Access from the resorts/Tala Bay marina is quick and easy. Hazards: deep water with no self-rescue footing, marina/boat traffic, patches of reef and rock near Tala Bay, and locally strong current (can exceed 2 kn) that can set you down-gulf. The gulf is very narrow and bordered by Eilat (Israel) and Saudi/Egyptian waters — stay well inside Jordanian water and respect any permit/school requirements, as kiting is generally channeled through the local center. Best suited to riders comfortable in deep water who want reliable wind, warm water and uncrowded space rather than flatwater freestyle.