What Wetsuit for Dakhla? Gear by Season

I’m Romano. I’ve been a kitesurf instructor since 2008 and I’ve lived in Dakhla since 2017 — I test gear on the water all year. The wetsuit question comes up in almost every message: “what do I wear for the water in Dakhla?” My answer fits into one simple rule: don’t chase an exact water temperature, choose your suit by the season.

In short: in summer, roughly May to October, a shorty or a 3/2 mm covers the vast majority of riders. In winter, November to April, a 3/2 mm does the job, and a 5/4 mm becomes your ally if you tend to feel the cold or string together long sessions.

The water here is cool — the Atlantic current keeps it fresher than you’d expect for Africa — but it’s nothing icy. The real factor in Dakhla isn’t so much the water as the wind: it blows almost every day, and it’s the wind that chills you between runs. Keep that in mind and you won’t pick the wrong suit.

This is the high season, when the wind is most consistent and most powerful, often between 25 and 35 knots. Air temperatures sit around 20–25 °C. For the water I stay cautious with numbers — it shifts with the current and the day — but in practice a shorty or a 3/2 mm is plenty for most people.

–The shorty (short arms and legs): perfect for the mildest days and riders who don’t get cold easily. Light, free, comfortable for long summer sessions.

–The 3/2 mm full suit: my do-it-all pick for summer in Dakhla. It covers arms and legs, cuts the wind chill when you’re wet, and lets you stay in the water without starting to shiver. If you could only bring one suit for the whole year, this would be it.

A small reminder: even in high summer you always feel cooler than you’d expect because of the constant wind. A 3/2 full suit is never a bad bet.

In winter, Dakhla’s wind blows a little lighter but stays surprisingly steady, and the air sits around 15–20 °C. The water drops a notch compared with summer. Nothing dramatic, but this is where a slightly warmer wetsuit lets you make the most of it.

–The 3/2 mm: still workable for many riders, especially if you stay active and do short-to-medium sessions. Add a thin hood or a neoprene beanie on the cooler days and you’re fine.

–The 5/4 mm: this is my recommendation as soon as you feel the cold, spend long hours in the water, or come in the depth of winter. It keeps you warm from the first run to the last — and a session you don’t cut short because you’re shivering changes everything.

Accessories make a real difference in winter: neoprene boots (3 mm), a pair of thin gloves and a light hood extend the session without getting in the way. When in doubt, always take the slightly warmer option — you rarely regret being too warm, often being too cold.

The wetsuit is only part of the equation. In Dakhla, what catches newcomers out is what they forget for the time spent out of the water — on the beach, between sessions, and in the evening at camp. Here’s my little list, tested season after season.

–A windbreaker: the most underrated thing in the bag. The moment you step out of the water, wet and exposed to the wind, you cool down in minutes. A light windbreaker, ideally water-repellent, keeps you comfortable on the spot all year.

–Serious sun protection: here, the desert sun and the wind work together. You don’t feel yourself burning because of the coolness, and you come home cooked. High-factor water-resistant cream, sunglasses with a strap, a long-sleeve rash vest or a hat for the long days: essential, even in winter.

–A warm layer for the evenings: the desert cools quickly once the sun goes down. A jumper or fleece and comfortable trousers make dinners far nicer — especially in the Fireplace Bungalow, where the fire really comes into its own in winter.

–The small extras that change everything: a microfibre towel, a pair of flip-flops, a water bottle (the dry air dehydrates you), and a head torch for the last stretch of track in the evening. Nothing excessive, just well-judged comfort.

The wind is Dakhla’s signature — more than 330 days a year — and it shapes how you choose your riding gear, not just your wetsuit.

–The kite quiver: in summer, with 25 to 35 knots common, plan to lean towards the smaller sizes. Many riders get through summer with two kites, a small and a medium, and are covered on most days. Winter, being lighter, calls for a slightly bigger kite in the bag.

–If you travel light: no need to bring everything. We have gear on site and partner schools that rent kites and boards, so a well-planned board bag rather than a house-move is plenty. Always warn the airline if you’re bringing gear — sports-baggage rules differ from flight to flight.

–Land sailing, the happy exception: it’s the easiest wind sport to start with, learned in about twenty minutes, and it needs no wetsuit at all — just your beach clothes, a windbreaker and sunglasses against the sand. I run it in-house; it’s perfect for days when you want to play with the wind without getting in the water.

–The right habit: ask us before you pack. The best choice depends on the season, your level and the plan, and that’s exactly what we fine-tune together every morning over breakfast.

Keep the essentials in mind: in summer (May–October), shorty or 3/2 mm; in winter (November–April), 3/2 mm, or 5/4 mm if you feel the cold or stay in the water a long time. Add a windbreaker, real sun protection and a warm layer for the evening, and you’re ready whatever the season.

Once you’re kitted out, the whole of Dakhla opens up: the flat-water lagoon to learn and progress, the wave spots on the ocean side to commit, and different conditions depending on the tide and the day. You’ll find the detail on each one — distance, access and level — on our our spots page.

Still unsure what to pack, or want to know what I’m wearing right now? Write to us via the contact page — it’s often me who answers, and I’ll tell you exactly which wetsuit to bring for your travel dates. See you on the water very soon. — Romano