Pointe de L'Or (Dakhla L'Or Coast)
- Wave, Shortboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Small waves, Medium waves
- Spot Type
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Range
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Pointe de L'Or is an ocean-side sand beach on the west coast of the Dakhla peninsula, with clean water and conditions that support both wave riding and surfing. The launch is described as having extensive sandy flats and landing/launch space, with bottom made of sand and generally small-to-medium beach-break surf that can become heavier during larger Atlantic swells. Wind is primarily NNE with additional NE/N variation, and it’s strongest in May through September. Multiple inputs agree the wind is reinforced by the afternoon heat (thermal reinforcement), becoming very reliable in summer and frequently exceeding 20 knots during the windiest months. One source also describes the overall wind character as steady rather than sharply gusty, which generally suits stable kite control for freeride and wave styles. The main safety concern is fishing nets. Hazards are reported as fishernets present near shore and further out, and local guidance emphasizes watching for submerged nets—so riders should keep a wide berth from any fishing activity and avoid approaching lines/gear. The spot is remote with no lifeguards indicated; medical care is referenced as being in Dakhla city within roughly 20–30 minutes by car, and the regional rescue situation is described as limited. In terms of comfort and gear, sun protection is highlighted as very important year-round. Wetsuit guidance is consistent across sources: a wetsuit is not needed in summer, while shorty/long wetsuits in winter are recommended (with one input further recommending a 3/2mm or 4/3mm year-round due to colder Canary Current influence). Food/water and equipment support are described as limited: on-site facilities and rentals are not available directly at the beach, so visitors typically plan for day-trip provisioning and transport.
- Windiest period: May to September with NNE winds often above 20 knots
- Clean water and wide sandy launch space
- Primary hazard: fishernets near the shore
- Consistent NNE winds in late spring through summer (May–September).
- Clean water and sandy flats/launch space.
- Strong Atlantic swell potential can support surfing/wave kitesurfing.
- Remote access requires a 4x4 vehicle.
- Fishernets near/under the shoreline are a key hazard.
- No lifeguards; rescue availability is reported as limited (and spot-level sources also indicate no rescue).
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NNE, NE
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Thermal — Thermal wind strengthening during late spring/summer; also described as reinforced by afternoon heating and aligned with NNE trade-wind pattern.
- Reliability
- almost daily in May–September (very high summer reliability)
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Described as steady (less gusty) in one source; otherwise near-daily strength above ~20 knots in peak months.
- Best Months
- May, June, July, August, September
- Thermal Window
- Sea breeze · Afternoon · Months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep · Dir: NNE · Reinforcement from afternoon heat; wind is described as almost daily and often above 20 knots during May–September.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Small waves, Medium waves
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Medium — Sources describe small-to-medium wave conditions; surfing inputs characterize wave size as medium with moderate power.
- Chop Level
- Light chop — Trade winds can groom waves but may also create chop if too strong.
- Launch
- Big — Extensive sandy flats with plenty of space; includes a prominent curved jetty (reported in one source).
Through the year
Low crowd levels year-round due to remote 4x4 access.
Very rare rainfall; most precipitation occurs between November and January if at all.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Premier ocean-side wave kitesurf spot with side-shore to side-onshore conditions for wave riding; also described as a well-known kitesurf spot next to Dakhla.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–11 m²
Suitable for wave windsurfing when swell is running and winds are active.
- Sail Sizes
- 4–5.5 m²
Foilable; more suited to experienced riders due to shore break and waves; depth sufficient for long masts once past the break.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil friendly reported as yes.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–5 m²
Beach-break surfing that can pick up Atlantic swell; wave quality described as good, with exposure.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- NW, W
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — All-tides reported as workable.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed to Atlantic conditions.
- Wind Effect
- Cross-shore trade winds can groom waves but may create chop if too strong.
- Bigger Swell
- Can become heavy and close out during very large Atlantic swells.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Good wave quality reported.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Moderate wave power reported.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling described; can get heavy/close out on very large Atlantic swells.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peeling wave shape with medium peel speed reported.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Medium ride length reported.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Pointe de L'Or (Dakhla L'Or Coast) in the full forecast view.
Pointe de L'Or (Dakhla L'Or Coast) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 6–15 ktsGusts 21 kts
- Direction
- NE50°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2415 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.6–1.3 m10s period
- Temperature
- 21–33 °C
Over the next 7 days, Pointe de L'Or (Dakhla L'Or Coast) is forecast for daytime winds of 6–15 kts, peaking around 15 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 21 kts. The prevailing direction is NE. Waves run 0.6–1.3 m with a period of about 10s. 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
- Fishernets
- Remote location
- Strong currents (reported for Atlantic side, especially on larger swells)
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards indicated.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Regional context indicates rescue is limited; spot-level sources also state no rescue availability.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities are in Dakhla city (reported ~20–30 minutes by car).
- Localism / Vibe
- None — No localism friction mentioned.
Rules of the spot
Use common sense about distance from fishermen; keep clear of fishing nets.
- Sun protection is very important.
- Watch out for submerged fishing nets near the shoreline.
- Carry a phone and travel with a partner as the spot is remote.
- Not wetsuit needed in summer; shorty or long wetsuit in winter.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Dakhla
- Nearest Town
- Dakhla
- Parking
- Informal parking on the sand above the beach level; explicit details otherwise not provided.
- Public Transport
- Limited to taxis and private transfers from Dakhla city
- Access
- Only accessible via a 4x4 vehicle on the west coast of the peninsula near Dakhla (desert tracks).
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Arabic, French
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Most visitors stay in kite camps near Dakhla Lagoon and make day trips to this spot.
- Food & Drink
- No facilities on-site; visitors must bring their own water and food.
- Equipment Rental:
- No rentals available directly at the beach.
- Gear Storage
- None reported at the beach; regional context notes gear storage at major centers, but spot-level details are not specific to this launch.
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 Pointe de L'Or (Dakhla L'Or Coast)?
The best overall months at Pointe de L'Or (Dakhla L'Or Coast) are May, June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at Pointe de L'Or (Dakhla L'Or Coast)?
Pointe de L'Or (Dakhla L'Or Coast) works with N, NNE, NE winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Pointe de L'Or (Dakhla L'Or Coast)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Pointe de L'Or (Dakhla L'Or Coast): Kitesurfing: 7–11 m² · Windsurfing: 4–5.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–5 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Pointe de L'Or (Dakhla L'Or Coast) suitable for?
Pointe de L'Or (Dakhla L'Or Coast) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Intermediate.