Kelibya
- Shortboard, Beginners
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Kelibya is an exposed beach-and-reef surf break on Tunisia’s east coast. The wave environment is typically small and often wind-driven, so conditions can be flat or marginal outside of better swell windows. Surf potential is described as occasional rather than consistently high-performance. Winter is the key season: winter brings the most consistent swells for the Cap Bon region, and multiple sources note that surfing works best in winter at Kelibya when swell reaches the coast. The west wind is highlighted as the best direction for surfing here because it blows offshore, which helps with cleaner wave conditions. Access is straightforward from the nearby town area, with parking available close to the beach and port zone. The spot is also described as having very clear Mediterranean water, and the beach/launch area includes a wide sandy section (notably north of the harbour) that can make launch easier when conditions are workable. Safety-wise, rocks are a repeated hazard for this break. Lifeguard coverage is indicated as seasonal and rescue availability is described as limited in the broader area, so it’s important to manage entry/exit carefully and plan conservatively around the reef/rock sections.
- Exposed beach-and-reef break
- West wind preferred for cleaner (offshore) conditions
- Best surfing in winter swell season
- Rock hazards present in parts of the break zone
- Clear water commonly noted in the area
- Exposed beach-and-reef setup on Tunisia’s east coast with potential winter swell sessions.
- Clear water is commonly described for the area.
- West wind is the preferred direction for cleaner conditions (offshore here).
- Waves are often small and wind-driven, with poor or marginal wave quality most of the time.
- Rock hazards are present in parts of the beach/reef-break area.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W
- Offshore directions
- W
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Sea-breeze conditions are suggested by provider wind typing; best surfing wind is from the west.
- Best Months
- October, November, December, January, February, March
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Sand — White sand beaches are described for the area.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Small — Predominantly small, often described as wind-driven.
- Launch
- Medium — Wide sandy launch area, particularly north of the harbour.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Wide sandy beach area suitable for launching.
Through the year
Very crowded with domestic tourists in July and August; quiet during the winter surfing season.
November to March
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed beach-and-reef break that is often small and occasionally workable in winter swell events. Not a high-performance surf destination; generally suited to beginners to intermediate surfers when conditions line up.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed beach and reef break.
- Wind Effect
- Surf conditions are described as predominantly small and wind-driven; the west wind is noted as preferred/offshore for cleaner conditions.
- Wave Quality
- Poor — Wave quality is described as poor, with occasional better sessions when winter swells reach the coast.
- Wave Power
- Soft
- Wave Shape
- Mixed
- Peel Speed
- Slow
- Ride Length
- Short
- Ride Length Details
- Ride lengths are described as short.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Kelibya in the full forecast view.
Kelibya wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 4–18 ktsGusts 30 kts
- Direction
- NNW331°
- Strongest day
- Mon, Oct 2618 kts
- Windy days
- 3/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.2–1.0 m4s period
- Temperature
- 16–24 °C
Over the next 7 days, Kelibya is forecast for daytime winds of 4–18 kts, peaking around 18 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 30 kts. The prevailing direction is NNW. Waves run 0.2–1.0 m with a period of about 4s. 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
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguard presence is indicated.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue is indicated as limited/seasonal in the regional context.
- Emergency Info
- National emergency number: 198 (Civil Protection) and 197 (police). Regional hospital: Hôpital Régional de Kélibia.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — No notable localism indicated for this spot.
Rules of the spot
- Rocks are present in certain sections of the beach/reef-break area—use extra caution when entering/exiting.
- For cleaner wave conditions, wind from the West is preferred (winds blow offshore here).
- Expect better surf potential in winter swells.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Nabeul
- Nearest Town
- Kelibya
- Nearest Airport
- Tunis–Carthage International Airport (TUN)
- Parking
- Parking is available near the beach and the port area.
- Public Transport
- Louages (shared taxis) and regional buses connect the area with Tunis and Nabeul.
- Cost Level
- Budget
- Local Language
- Arabic, French
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Local guesthouses and hotels are available in Kelibia town and near Mansoura beach.
- Food & Drink
- Several cafes and seafood restaurants are located along the waterfront.
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 Kelibya?
The best overall months at Kelibya are January, February, March, October, November, December. The best wind months are October, November, December, January, February, March.
Which wind directions work at Kelibya?
Kelibya works with W winds. Offshore directions are W.
What skill level is Kelibya suitable for?
Kelibya suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.