Kotu Beach
- Freeride, Wave
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Flat, Chop, Small waves
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Kotu Beach is a resort-area kitesurfing spot on the Atlantic coast near Serrekunda, characterized by sandy launch areas with shallow sandbars and generally flat conditions with some chop. Kiting is commonly described as working well in a sheltered lagoon context, while wind and water access is also improved when riders walk up toward Kotu Point. Wind is best in the dry-season window from November through June, with the most reliable power attributed to afternoon sea breezes. Typical winds are described as roughly 10–20 knots, with moderate reliability, and the gustiness is described as light. Local wind can be a bit turbulent close to shore due to hotel structures, so many riders prefer launching further along the beach toward the point. Safety at Kotu Beach centers on rock hazards (including rocks near Kotu Point) plus the risk of sunken obstacles near river mouth/points. There are also restrictions/no-sport zones in parts of the beachfront swimming areas in front of hotels—so keeping clear of designated swimmers is important. Rescue availability is limited and lifeguards are seasonal, so riders should plan accordingly. For other sports, surfing is described as mellow and mostly beginner-friendly when conditions line up, with wave quality vulnerable to onshore wind. Foil activities are described as viable because afternoon winds are steadier, but shallow water and sandbars can make launch tricky. Water stays warm most of the year; a wetsuit is generally unnecessary, though January mornings may be cold enough that bringing a wetsuit is recommended.
- Afternoon sea-breeze pattern
- Flat-water/controlled chop kitesurfing feel
- Rock hazards around point/near river
- Shallow sandy lagoon setup with flat water and small waves for kitesurfing.
- Afternoon sea breezes are a common pattern during the dry season.
- Tourist infrastructure nearby supports easy access and basic on-site amenities.
- Rocks and sunken obstacles near river/points can be hazardous during launch and wipeouts.
- Onshore winds can quickly degrade wave quality for surfing.
- Limited rescue availability and seasonal lifeguards.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NW, N, W
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Afternoon sea breezes are common during the dry season.
- Reliability
- Moderate
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts
- Best Months
- November, December, January, February, March, April, May, June
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 12–17 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Chop, Small waves
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Small wave environment for most users.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Chop is described alongside flat-water conditions.
- Launch
- Small — Launch is described as a sandy beach in front of resort hotels, with more space by walking to Kotu Point; sheltered lagoon with shallow sandbars.
Through the year
Highest during the peak tourist season from December to February.
July to September
By sport
What to expect for each.
Flat water with small waves and chop in a sheltered lagoon setting; convenient for resort-based riding. Spot-level descriptions note freeride and foil-friendly conditions, with shallow zones and sandbars affecting setup.
- Kite Sizes
- 12–17 m²
Suitable for freeride windsurfing, especially when the afternoon sea breeze fills in.
- Sail Sizes
- 6.5–8.5 m²
Viable for foiling with steadier afternoon winds; shallow sandbars can make launch tricky.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Minimum depth noted as 1.5m.
- Min Depth
- 1.5m
- Wing Sizes
- 5–7 m²
Kotu Point is described as offering a mellow right-hand break when swell is appropriate.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- NW, W
- Swell Height
- 0.5–1.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid, High — Best described as mid to high tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Onshore winds can mess up wave quality quickly.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out on very large swells.
- Wave Quality
- Average
- Wave Power
- Soft — Mellow, not powerful surf.
- Wave Shape
- Mushy
- Peel Speed
- Slow
- Ride Length
- Medium — Mellow rides; best on mid to high tide.
- Ride Length Details
- Mellow rides that are best on a mid to high tide.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Kotu Beach in the full forecast view.
Kotu Beach wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–10 ktsGusts 19 kts
- Direction
- W269°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2410 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.3–0.5 m7s period
- Temperature
- 26–34 °C
Over the next 7 days, Kotu Beach is forecast for daytime winds of 3–10 kts, peaking around 10 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 19 kts. The prevailing direction is W. Waves run 0.3–0.5 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
- rocks
- sunken obstacles near the river
- beach users
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — No dedicated kitesurfing rescue service; safety is typically provided by hotel-based lifeguards or local surf instructors.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities are in Serrekunda.
Rules of the spot
Avoid kiting or surfing too close to designated swimming areas in front of the hotels; there are no-sport zones in front of some hotel swimming areas.
- No-sport zones in front of some hotel swimming areas
- Keep distance from designated swimming areas
- Walk up to Kotu Point for a cleaner launch and better wave conditions.
- Rocks in the water and shallow sandbars are present—check your footing before launching.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Serrekunda
- Nearest Town
- Kotu
- Parking
- Parking is available near the hotels and at the public beach access points.
- Access
- From Banjul drive westwards towards the coast and get to Kotu. From the 'Kotu Strip' group of hotels, go out onto the beach, turn left and walk about half a km to the point (Kotu Point Beach Bar).
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous hotels and resorts along the Kotu Strip area near the beach.
- Food & Drink
- Various beach bars and restaurants are located directly on the sand, with multiple options nearby.
- Equipment Rental:
- Limited rental options directly at Kotu; some riders may need to bring their own gear.
- Gear Storage
- Some hotels may provide storage for guests.
- Gear Repair
- No specialized professional repair shops on-site.
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 Kotu Beach?
The best overall months at Kotu Beach are November, December, January, February, March, April, May. The best wind months are November, December, January, February, March, April, May, June.
Which wind directions work at Kotu Beach?
Kotu Beach works with NW, N, W winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Kotu Beach?
Recommended equipment sizes at Kotu Beach: Kitesurfing: 12–17 m² · Windsurfing: 6.5–8.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 5–7 m². The typical wind range is 10–20 kts.
What skill level is Kotu Beach suitable for?
Kotu Beach suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner to Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner.