Che Shale (Magarini)
- Freeride, Wave
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Flat
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Che Shale is a kitesurfing-focused spot on Kenya’s northern coast with a large, sandy, tidal beach and generally clear water. Conditions are commonly described as flat to small-wave, with reef protection helping form a more rider-friendly zone near the main launch and riding area. Wind is centered on the seasonal monsoons: NE and SE winds are both favored, with peak periods widely described around December to March and June to September (including July through September in particular). Reported wind ranges commonly sit roughly in the low-to-mid 20s knots, and the overall gust character is described as steady and reliable across the main seasons. For kitesurfing, the spot is repeatedly characterized as beginner-friendly, with ample space on the beach for setup and generally straightforward riding conditions. Wingfoiling is also supported, with foil-friendly sand and more suitable depth during mid-to-high tide. Windsurfing is possible—especially in the SE monsoon—but is described as more secondary compared with kitesurfing. Safety considerations are mainly about access to the reef edges and tidal effects. Reef hazards are noted, and sea urchins can occur on outer reef patches; if you’re walking toward the reef at low tide, booties are recommended. Tidal currents and the distance to major medical facilities (via Malindi town) are also flagged, and rescue availability is described as limited, so plan accordingly.
- Vast uncrowded sandy beach with easy launch
- Reliable seasonal NE/SE monsoon winds
- Reef-protected riding area for calmer conditions
- On-site amenities and kite support
- Reliable seasonal monsoon winds from NE and SE
- Flat-to-small-wave water and a vast sandy launch area
- Reef protection and generally safe riding conditions in the main area
- Facilities on-site (showers, toilets, food, parking) and on-site kite support
- Surfing is limited and not a primary destination
- Sea urchins can exist on outer reef patches (booties may be needed)
- Rescue availability reported as limited
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE, SE
- Wind Range
- 12–30 kts
- Wind Type
- Thermal — Seasonal wind flow with local/thermal influence; prevailing directions NE and SE.
- Reliability
- high
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Reported as steady/consistent.
- Best Months
- January, February, March, July, August, September
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–16 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat
- Beach
- Sand — Sand described as golden mica sand in one provider result.
- Beach Size
- Tidal
- Waves
- Small — Small wave conditions reported.
- Launch
- Big — Vast/expansive sandy beach with ample setup space and no overhead obstructions reported.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Reported as easy due to sandy launch and open beach space.
Through the year
Uncrowded/quiet year-round; slightly busier during December holidays.
May–July (rainy season mentioned); April–May also described as the primary rainy period, with shorter rains in October and November.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Premier kitesurfing destination with reliable monsoon winds, vast sandy beach space for launches, and flat-to-small-wave water. Reef protection helps keep conditions generally rider-friendly.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–16 m²
Suitable for windsurfing, particularly during the SE monsoon, though the spot is more heavily frequented by kitesurfers.
- Sail Sizes
- 5.5–7.5 m²
Excellent for wingfoiling thanks to steady, clean wind and accessible channels at mid-to-high tide.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil-friendly conditions reported.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters at mid tide
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Limited surfing is possible on the outer reef breaks during larger swells; it is not the primary surfing destination.
- Optimal Swell
- SE
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Cross-shore wind is common.
- Wave Quality
- Average
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Mushy
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium
- Ride Length Details
- Ride length reported as medium.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Che Shale (Magarini) in the full forecast view.
Che Shale (Magarini) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–18 ktsGusts 28 kts
- Direction
- SSE160°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2518 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.9–1.7 m7s period
- Temperature
- 24–31 °C
Over the next 7 days, Che Shale (Magarini) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–18 kts, peaking around 18 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 28 kts. The prevailing direction is SSE. Waves run 0.9–1.7 m with a period of about 7s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Reefs
- Sea urchins on reef patches
- Tidal currents
- Distance to major medical facilities
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability reported as limited; no organized public coastguard rescue services.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major medical facilities are in Malindi town (approximately 20–30 minutes away). Emergency number: 999 or 112.
Rules of the spot
Respect designated swimming areas near the hotel front if present.
- Protected by a reef; no rocks or sea urchins reported for the main riding area.
- Wear booties if you plan on walking out toward the reef at low tide.
- All winds push into the bay.
- Kite at both high and low tide.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Malindi
- Nearest Town
- Malindi
- Nearest Airport
- Malindi Airport (MYD) ~25 km
- Parking
- Parking available at the spot; private parking available for guests/day-visitors at the main resort entrance.
- Public Transport
- Matatus from Malindi, then private taxi or boda-boda for the final unpaved stretches.
- Access
- Turn left out of Malindi airport, follow the road to the roundabout and take the left road, pass Mousk, continue till the end and turn left at the T-junction. Follow for about half an hour and follow signs to Che Shale.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English, Swahili
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Accommodation is described as on-site and also nearby along the Mambrui/Malindi stretch.
- Food & Drink
- On-site food available; one result notes a restaurant specializing in fresh seafood and local ingredients.
- Equipment Rental:
- Full kitesurfing gear rental available through the on-site school.
- Gear Storage
- Storage lockers and beach service are provided for guests.
- Gear Repair
- Basic kite repair services available via the on-site setup.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Fresh seafood with a relaxed beach atmosphere.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Che Shale (Magarini)?
The best overall months at Che Shale (Magarini) are December, January, February, March, July, August, September. The best wind months are January, February, March, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at Che Shale (Magarini)?
Che Shale (Magarini) works with NE, SE winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Che Shale (Magarini)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Che Shale (Magarini): Kitesurfing: 7–16 m² · Windsurfing: 5.5–7.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 12–30 kts.
What skill level is Che Shale (Magarini) suitable for?
Che Shale (Magarini) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Beginner · Surfing: Advanced.