Kadarim (Haifa Bay)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Swell, Swell
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Kadarim (also called Dado Beach) is an exposed breakwater surfing spot in Haifa Bay. It’s known for a right-hander that peels off/along the rocks of the northern breakwater, and sources also describe the break as offering both left and right waves at all tide stages. Surf here is strongly dependent on alignment: it’s described as having an ideal swell angle from west-northwest, with west and west-northwest swell directions referenced as best. Wind-wise, it’s typically favored when south winds are offshore, helping groom the wave face; conditions are also noted to be inconsistent and the break doesn’t work very often. From a safety perspective, the spot is exposed and close to a rocky breakwater. Hazards include rocks near the breakwater and strong currents during winter storms; rip currents can also form along the rocks. During the official summer season, surfing may be restricted in marked swimming areas—follow local rules and avoid the designated swim zones. When conditions line up, wave quality is described as good to organized, and the setup can hold up to around 2 meters before closing out or turning messy. The spot is generally unlikely to be too crowded even when surf is up, though weekends and good winter swells can bring more people; swimmer crowding is reported in July and August.
- Exposed breakwater with both left and right waves
- Best when offshore south wind meets west to west-northwest swell
- All-tides option, but overall consistency depends on conditions
- Rip-current and rocky breakwater hazards
- Offers surf at all tide stages
- Well-regarded for a right-hander peeling along the breakwater
- Offshore south winds can groom the wave face
- Generally unlikely to be too crowded even when surf is up
- Exposed breakwater break that does not work very often
- Strong currents can occur during winter storms
- Rip currents can form along the breakwater rocks
- Can be crowded with swimmers in summer (and lifeguard zones may restrict surfing)
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- S, SW, W, NW
- Offshore directions
- SSE
- Wind Range
- 12–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Mixed — Offshore south winds can groom the wave face for surfing; winter and frontal systems can change conditions and create variability.
- Reliability
- inconsistent
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Gusts described as moderate.
- Best Months
- December, January, February
- Shadow Zones
- Directly behind the northern breakwater during North/Northeast winds.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Swell
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach composition.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Flat — Wave size described as flat by one source, but another describes medium conditions—overall variability by swell/storm setup is likely.
- Launch
- Medium — Sandy beach area adjacent to the breakwater.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Launch area described as sandy with easy access, though the breakwater zone must be navigated safely.
Through the year
Busy on weekends and during good winter swells; crowded with swimmers in July and August.
November–March (rainy and storm season).
By sport
What to expect for each.
Possible but less popular than other nearby beach options; breakwater can create turbulence.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Often used as an entry point for those seeking waves sheltered from the strongest northerly winds.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–5.5 m²
Sandy entry can be accessible, but riders must clear the breakwater zone to find consistent wind.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil-friendly (minimum depth requirements noted).
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Exposed breakwater break that does not work very often. Offers both left and right waves at all tide stages, with a commonly referenced right-hander peeling off the northern breakwater at Hof HaCarmel.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- W, WNW
- Swell Height
- 0.5–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — Good surf at all stages of the tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed breakwater setting; also described as semi-sheltered depending on wind orientation (breakwater effects).
- Wind Effect
- South wind is offshore and grooms the wave face; it can work-best-offshore.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds up to about 2 meters before closing out or becoming messy.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Often more organized than open beaches further south when conditions align.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Moderate wave power; works best when wind is offshore.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling right-hander wave.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peels off/along the breakwater rocks with a medium peel speed when lined up.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Several turns are possible on a decent wall when swell is lined up.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- A right-hander is noted; when the swell is lined up, waves can provide a decent wall for several turns.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Kadarim (Haifa Bay) in the full forecast view.
Kadarim (Haifa Bay) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–14 ktsGusts 19 kts
- Direction
- NW315°
- Strongest day
- Thu, Oct 2914 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.3–1.5 m5s period
- Temperature
- 19–29 °C
Over the next 7 days, Kadarim (Haifa Bay) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–14 kts, peaking around 14 kts on Thursday, October 29 with gusts to 19 kts. The prevailing direction is NW. Waves run 0.3–1.5 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
- Rocks near the breakwater
- Strong currents during winter storms
- Rip currents can form along the rocks of the breakwater
- Proximity to the swimming zones in summer
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguards are provided at designated municipal beaches; lifeguard presence is not guaranteed at this exact spot outside designated summer services.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability described as limited.
- Emergency Info
- Rambam Health Care Campus is the nearest major hospital in Haifa.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Local scene described as having a more relaxed atmosphere than larger crowd hotspots.
Rules of the spot
Avoid surfing inside the marked swimming areas during the official summer season when lifeguards are present. Do not surf in designated swimming zones during high season.
- No surfing in designated swimming zones during high season
- The spot is best when the swell is West and the wind is from the South.
- Use the channel next to the breakwater to paddle out more easily.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Haifa
- Nearest Town
- Haifa
- Parking
- Large public parking lots are available at the Hof HaCarmel beach area.
- Access
- Public beach access via the Hof HaCarmel promenade.
- Local Language
- Hebrew
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Leonardo Plaza Hotel Haifa is located directly at the beachfront.
- Food & Drink
- Numerous cafes and restaurants along the Hof HaCarmel promenade.
- Equipment Rental:
- Limited surf rentals may be available at shops along the promenade (spot-level); regional equipment rental is also available at major sport centers along the Carmel Coast and Bat Galim.
- Gear Storage
- Offered by several local surf clubs and schools near the promenade (daily or monthly fee; regional).
- Gear Repair
- Specialized workshops in Haifa provide sail, kite, and board repairs (regional).
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Kadarim (Haifa Bay)?
The best overall months at Kadarim (Haifa Bay) are January, February. The best wind months are December, January, February.
Which wind directions work at Kadarim (Haifa Bay)?
Kadarim (Haifa Bay) works with S, SW, W, NW winds. Offshore directions are SSE.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Kadarim (Haifa Bay)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Kadarim (Haifa Bay): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–5.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 12–25 kts.
What skill level is Kadarim (Haifa Bay) suitable for?
Kadarim (Haifa Bay) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Intermediate.