PK 55
- Freeride, Wave
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Chop, Ocean, Mixed
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
PK 55 is a remote, off-grid kitesurfing beach about 55 km north of Nouakchott, reached via a marked turn-off and a short dirt-track approach. The launch is a long, sandy, mostly empty area with ample space and easy self-launch. Wind is typically from the NNW with a trade-wind pattern that’s described as steady. The most reliable months are February through July, plus October and November. Regional notes also emphasize an afternoon strengthening effect from thermal/sea-breeze activity, so conditions often build later in the day. On-water conditions are typically choppy (and sometimes flat-to-occasionally-choppy depending on the provider), with clean water reported in the sources. Beach and water hazards include animals, and the biggest practical challenge is the lack of on-site services. Overall, PK 55 is best for riders who can travel and operate independently: bring your own supplies (food, water, and gear), plan for navigation in the desert, and ride with the understanding that emergency services are in Nouakchott and spot-level rescue support is not present.
- Expansive sandy beach with easy self-launch
- Reliable NNW trade-wind window (Feb–Jul, plus Oct–Nov)
- Self-sufficient riding required—no facilities on site
- Steady NNW trade-wind conditions with a clear seasonal window.
- Very large sandy launch area with easy self-launch.
- Water is generally clean; conditions commonly choppy for freeride/foil.
- No facilities at the spot; you need to be self-sufficient.
- Remoteness: no lifeguards and no dedicated rescue presence.
- Animals reported on the beach.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NNW
- Wind Range
- 14–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — North–northeast trade wind regime (Alizés), reported as steady.
- Reliability
- high during peak months (reported).
- Gust Factor
- Steady
- Best Months
- February, March, April, May, June, July, October, November
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop, Ocean, Mixed
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Small — Small waves reported; water is generally described as choppy rather than surf-setup wave conditions.
- Chop Level
- Heavy chop — Choppy water is reported for the spot (provider descriptions vary between flat and chop; treat as commonly choppy).
- Launch
- Big — Large sandy beach with ample space for self-launch.
Through the year
Very low year-round.
August to September (monsoon influence); rainfall remains extremely sparse.
By sport
What to expect for each.
A remote, largely undeveloped sandy beach with steady cross/near-onshore NNW wind and choppy water. Suited to intermediate freeride and also used for wave and big-air-style riding depending on conditions.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Possible given consistent wind and available depth, but there is no local infrastructure or rescue support.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil-friendly conditions reported.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for PK 55 in the full forecast view.
PK 55 wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 5–15 ktsGusts 23 kts
- Direction
- ENE72°
- Strongest day
- Tue, Oct 2715 kts
- Windy days
- 5/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.3–0.7 m9s period
- Temperature
- 25–41 °C
Over the next 7 days, PK 55 is forecast for daytime winds of 5–15 kts, peaking around 15 kts on Tuesday, October 27 with gusts to 23 kts. The prevailing direction is ENE. Waves run 0.3–0.7 m with a period of about 9s. 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
- animals
- remoteness / desert navigation
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No spot-level rescue support reported; regional baseline describes rescue services as largely non-existent on this remote stretch.
- Emergency Info
- No dedicated water rescue presence at the spot. Emergency care is in Nouakchott (~55–60 km south; about a one-hour drive).
Rules of the spot
- Bring a self-sufficient setup: there are no facilities on site, so plan food, water, and spare gear before leaving Nouakchott.
- The turn-off from the main road is marked by a dead camel and a tire on a post—use this landmark for navigation.
- Bring an appropriate wetsuit for year-round cool water; wind/riding conditions can change quickly on an exposed remote beach.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Nouakchott
- Nearest Town
- Nouakchott
- Nearest Airport
- Nouakchott–Oumtounsy International Airport (NKC)
- Parking
- Open beach/desert parking available.
- Public Transport
- primarily private 4x4 vehicles or bush taxis along the N2 highway
- Access
- Exactly 55 km north of Nouakchott, then about 10 minutes down a dirt track; the turn is marked by a dead camel and a tire on a post.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Arabic (Hassaniya; official) and French (widely used)
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Regional baseline notes limited nearby options (eco-lodges/desert camps near the coast) while more formal hotels are in Nouakchott.
- Food & Drink
- None available at the spot; bring all supplies from the city.
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 PK 55?
The best overall months at PK 55 are February, March, April, May, June, July. The best wind months are February, March, April, May, June, July, October, November.
Which wind directions work at PK 55?
PK 55 works with NNW winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at PK 55?
Recommended equipment sizes at PK 55: Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 14–20 kts.
What skill level is PK 55 suitable for?
PK 55 suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Advanced.