Durrat
- Freeride, Freestyle
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Flat, Shallow
- Spot Type
- Busy
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Durrat is a protected lagoon system near Jeddah with shallow, generally flat and clean water. The water is described as turquoise/shallow with minimal tidal influence (useful for planning), and it’s built around artificial breakwaters and marina-style development that create sheltered riding areas. Wind is dominated by north-westerly trade winds with frequent afternoon sea-breeze reinforcement. Typical direction preferences match N through NW to WNW sectors, with best months concentrated in January, February, March, and November–December. Wind is reported as generally steady, and the thermal/sea-breeze window typically builds from around 1:00 PM and peaks near 4:00 PM, with higher reliability in winter and late spring. For kitesurfing, the lagoon is positioned for freestyle and flat-water practice, including freeride and foil sessions. Reported conditions can be ideal for controlled trick progression due to the flat water and shallow protected environment, though the zone is also congested with moored/anchored vessels. Access is a major factor: the spot sits inside the Durrat compound/resort area and entry requires authorized permission (e.g., property/reservation/invitation). Safety priorities are clear—jetskis and wave breakers are common hazards, and swimmers may be present—so riders should avoid designated swimming areas and be especially alert to fast jet-ski traffic.
- Flat, shallow protected lagoon with clean water
- Reliable afternoon sea-breeze wind (strongest into mid-afternoon)
- Kitesurfing-friendly freestyle/flat-water setup
- Flat, shallow, protected lagoon conditions (reported clean water).
- Reliable winter and late-spring wind with strong afternoon sea-breeze component.
- Good environment for learning/practicing freestyle and flat-water techniques.
- Strict private-compound access; you need authorized permission/invitation to enter.
- Heavily developed lagoon/marina environment with vessel congestion.
- Risk of high-speed jetski traffic in the area.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NNW, NW, WNW, S, SSW, SW
- Wind Range
- 12–22 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Dominant north-westerly trade/sea-breeze pattern with frequent afternoon sea breezes.
- Reliability
- High during winter months and late spring.
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Generally steady wind reported.
- Best Months
- January, February, March, November, December
- Shadow Zones
- Wind can be gusty near large villa structures/buildings close to shore.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Shallow
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach areas within the resort compound.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Flat — Flat conditions reported for the lagoon riding area.
- Launch
- Small — Launch/space is within the resort/compound; not a traditional public beach launch, and space can be restricted near beachfront villas.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Reported launch difficulty varies by space/access; the lagoon is not a traditional open public launch and can be restricted by resort zones.
Through the year
Can be very busy during weekends and public holidays.
Rare rain; typically between November and January.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Flat, shallow lagoon water in protected channels/artificial breakwaters—well-suited for freestyle and flat-water freeride/foil practice, but the area is congested with vessels and is inside a private compound with restricted access.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–14 m²
Suitable for freeride and slalom windsurfing, especially for riders staying within the resort.
- Sail Sizes
- 6–8.5 m²
Good for wingfoiling, but shallow lagoon sections require caution for sandbars/shallows; deeper water is found further from the immediate shoreline.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil-friendly conditions reported.
- Wing Sizes
- 4.5–6 m²
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Durrat in the full forecast view.
Durrat wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–13 ktsGusts 22 kts
- Direction
- WSW245°
- Strongest day
- Tue, Oct 2713 kts
- Windy days
- 4/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.3–0.9 m5s period
- Temperature
- 26–34 °C
Over the next 7 days, Durrat is forecast for daytime winds of 2–13 kts, peaking around 13 kts on Tuesday, October 27 with gusts to 22 kts. The prevailing direction is WSW. Waves run 0.3–0.9 m with a period of about 5s. 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
- Jetskis
- Wave breaker
- Moored vessels
- Constricted/congested waterway
- Anchored boats
- Swimmers
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard presence reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Group-level baseline indicates rescue is limited; private resort areas may provide additional safety resources for guests.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major hospitals are located in Jeddah (approximately 40–60 minutes away).
- Localism / Vibe
- Heavy — Access and on-site rules are strict due to private-resort and villa privacy zones.
Rules of the spot
Kiting is generally permitted, but riders must avoid designated swimming areas and respect the privacy of beachfront villa zones. Access is private/residential—do not enter without permission.
- Must know somebody to enter the Durrat compound (private/resort access).
- Not a traditional public kitesurfing destination due to congestion and private compound entry rules.
- Avoid kiting “nearly naked”; kite trousers or a short wetsuit are commonly used, depending on preference.
- Watch for high-speed jetski traffic which is very common.
- Avoid riding through designated swimming areas and be mindful near villa zones.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Jeddah
- Nearest Town
- Dhahban
- Nearest Airport
- King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED)
- Parking
- Parking available within the resort for residents and authorized guests.
- Public Transport
- extremely limited
- Access
- Drive on the highway northbound. Exit Durrat. Turn left, then cross the next crossing going westbound. Drive about 15km to the entry gate of the Durrat compound. Entry is restricted: you must know somebody / have an invitation or authorized access to pass security.
- Cost Level
- Expensive
- Local Language
- Arabic
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Numerous private villas and apartments for rent within the gated resort/residential area.
- Food & Drink
- Multiple cafes and restaurants are located within the marina area of the resort.
- Equipment Rental:
- No dedicated public kite rental reported; most riders bring their own gear.
- Gear Storage
- Not available publicly in the spot access zone.
- Gear Repair
- No specific on-site public gear repair is reported; baseline for the wider area indicates basic repairs via local schools/operations and limited professional canopy/sail repair.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A premium high-end gated resort and marina atmosphere centered around private beachfront areas, restaurants, and lagoon recreation near Jeddah.
Long waterfront area featuring the world’s tallest fountain, sculptures, and parks.
UNESCO World Heritage site featuring traditional Hijazi architecture and ancient markets.
World-class diving on nearby reefs with abundant marine life and shipwrecks.
Collection of international and local eateries overlooking the marina.
Resort areas offering kid-friendly swimming pools and water play areas.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Durrat?
The best overall months at Durrat are November, December, January, February, March, April. The best wind months are January, February, March, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Durrat?
Durrat works with N, NNW, NW, WNW, S, SSW, SW winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Durrat?
Recommended equipment sizes at Durrat: Kitesurfing: 9–14 m² · Windsurfing: 6–8.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4.5–6 m². The typical wind range is 12–22 kts.
What skill level is Durrat suitable for?
Durrat suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate.