Kumcagiz
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Flat
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Kumcağız is a sandbar surfing spot on the Black Sea coast where waves can break to both the left and the right, typically on a sandy bottom. It’s described as quite exposed and primarily a surfing destination, though other board sports may appear during stormy periods. For surfing, conditions are reported as best when northwest swells and north to northeast winds line up (sessions are also described as working mainly in the cooler season). When it runs, wave quality is generally rated as good and the break can serve both beginner progression and more capable riders—though ride length and how often it works are noted as variable across sources. Wind for water sports is typically in the north to northeast range, with northwinds capable of adding chop while offshore/south–southeast directions can groom the surface. Winds are described with medium reliability and moderate gustiness, and wind direction guidance also includes avoiding southeast offshore winds. Because Black Sea coastal conditions can change quickly, it’s important to check the forecast before paddling out or staging gear. Safety is a key focus at Kumcağız: rip currents are specifically highlighted as a significant concern, especially when the waves are larger. The spot can also get crowded at peak times during summer, with seasonal rules that restrict kitesurfing and windsurfing in main swimming zones during daytime. With winter water temperatures around 7–11°C (and even colder-feeling windchill), full wetsuit protection with hood/boots/gloves is strongly emphasized from autumn through spring.
- Sandbar break producing left and right waves
- Best sessions align with northwest swells and north to northeast winds
- Beginner-friendly when running, but not consistent every day
- Sandbar setup that can offer both left and right waves.
- Wave quality is described as good when conditions line up.
- Suitable for beginner progression when it’s running.
- Rips are a significant safety concern, especially when waves get larger.
- Spot is described as exposed and not reliably working; sometimes it simply doesn’t break consistently.
- Cold water in winter requires full thermal protection.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NE, NW
- Offshore directions
- N, NE, NW
- No-go directions
- SSE
- Wind Range
- 10–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Thermal — North to northeast wind is commonly favorable for sessions.
- Reliability
- medium
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gustiness reported.
- Best Months
- November, December, January, February, March, April
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach and sandy bottom.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Medium — Wave size described as medium; can close out when swell exceeds about 2.5 meters.
- Launch
- Medium — Wide sandy beach with space for setting up.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Easy launch from a sandy beach with room to set up.
Through the year
Weekdays can be quiet/few surfers, while weekends and July–August are crowded with swimmers.
Rainy and stormy from November to March.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Occasionally used for kitesurfing during storm swells; primarily a surfing destination.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Possible during strong North or Northwest winds with bump-and-jump conditions and some wave riding opportunities.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–6 m²
Potential wingfoiling spot when swell is not too disorganized.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Reported as foil-friendly.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Kumcağız is a sandbar break on Turkey’s Black Sea coast that does not work very often, but when it does it can produce both left and right-hand waves. It is described as relatively good for beginners when it’s running.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- NW, N, NE
- Swell Height
- 0.5–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Another source states all-tides.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed setup.
- Wind Effect
- North-northeast winds are generally onshore-favorable; wind can create chop. One source notes offshore grooming with south/southeast winds.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out when swell exceeds 2.5 meters.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Wave quality is consistently described as good.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Moderate wave power.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling sandbar waves.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peeling waves reported with medium peel speed.
- Ride Length
- Short — Sources conflict: some indicate short rides (<50m), while others describe normal rides of 50–150m.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Reported normal rides of 50 to 150 meters on good days; other guidance describes short rides (<50m).
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Kumcagiz in the full forecast view.
Kumcagiz wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–12 ktsGusts 20 kts
- Direction
- N1°
- Strongest day
- Fri, Oct 3012 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.3–2.6 m5s period
- Temperature
- 13–19 °C
Over the next 7 days, Kumcagiz is forecast for daytime winds of 2–12 kts, peaking around 12 kts on Friday, October 30 with gusts to 20 kts. The prevailing direction is N. Waves run 0.3–2.6 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
- Rip currents
- Cold water in winter
- Crowded peak season (swimmers)
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguard monitoring is reported as seasonal (summer months).
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability is limited.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest health clinics are in Kefken; Kandıra State Hospital is approximately 20km away. Emergency number for all services is 112.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — No notable localism indicated.
Rules of the spot
Avoid southeast offshore winds. Conditions can be more hazardous when waves are larger; watch for rip currents.
- Designated swimming areas in summer.
- During summer months (June–August), kitesurfing and windsurfing are restricted in the main swimming zones during the day.
- North to northeast winds are favorable; avoid southeast offshore winds.
- North/Northeast swells bring the best waves—check the forecast.
- From October through May, wetsuits are essential.
- Weekdays are typically less crowded than weekends.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Izmit
- Nearest Town
- Kefken
- Parking
- Parking available along the beach front and in designated lots nearby (also described as accessible with parking at the spot).
- Access
- Requires a car to reach; located about 5 km east of Kerpe Bay on Turkey’s Black Sea north coast.
- Local Language
- Turkish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous small hotels, pensions, and campsites are located in Kumcağız and the neighboring village of Kefken.
- Food & Drink
- Local cafes and restaurants line the beach road, serving seafood and traditional Turkish breakfast.
- Equipment Rental:
- Limited surf rentals available through local camps and seasonal shops.
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 Kumcagiz?
The best overall months at Kumcagiz are November, December, January, February, March, April, September, October. The best wind months are November, December, January, February, March, April.
Which wind directions work at Kumcagiz?
Kumcagiz works with N, NE, NW winds. Offshore directions are N, NE, NW. No-go directions are SSE.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Kumcagiz?
Recommended equipment sizes at Kumcagiz: Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–6 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 10–25 kts.
What skill level is Kumcagiz suitable for?
Kumcagiz suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner.