Ras Al Kheima
- Freeride, Shortboard
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Flat, Small waves
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Ras Al Kheima (also referred to as Al Hamra – Ras Al Khema) is an exposed sandbar break along the Persian Gulf, known for having fairly consistent surf, especially in winter. For surfing, the wave setup is small and tends to be soft/mushy or peeling depending on conditions, with rides typically short on shifting sandbars. The best swell direction is described as northwest, and wind can significantly affect quality: onshore northwest winds tend to add chop, so cleaner groundswell or lighter winds are usually needed for better surf. Beyond surfing, the location is also used for wind sports during the same winter wind regime. Kitesurfing and windsurfing are described as working in winter Shamal conditions, with the site catching wind roughly 1–2 hours before Dubai’s kite beach if the regional forecast lines up. Wingfoiling is also noted as viable with appropriate gear and sufficient depth. Safety is a key concern: dangerous rip currents are reported, and the area has no confirmed lifeguard coverage. Plan around weather and water conditions, keep within the beach/launch zone (including respecting the heritage site), avoid risking other water users, and ideally surf/ride with a buddy.
- Exposed sandbar break with fairly consistent surf
- Winter Shamal winds support kitesurfing and windsurfing
- Quiet, low-profile beach access near the heritage village
- Exposed sandbar break with pretty consistent surf in the Persian Gulf
- Winter is the favorable season for riding
- Low-profile/quiet location with plenty of beach space for launch
- Also supports kitesurfing and windsurfing in Shamal-driven conditions
- Small surf most of the time
- Exposed setup with wind chop possible onshore
- Dangerous rip currents reported
- No lifeguards and limited rescue support
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, WNW, NW
- Wind Range
- 4–17 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Shamal (northwesterly) frontal wind dominates in winter, with some afternoon sea-breeze/thermal contribution.
- Reliability
- Low to moderate (often dependent on winter frontal systems); generally stronger/dependable in mid-winter.
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Providers describe gustiness from light to moderate depending on the system.
- Best Months
- January, February
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 12–17 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Small waves
- Beach
- Sand — Fine/sandy beach.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Small surf with winter generally more favorable.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Onshore northwest winds can create chop; otherwise flat-to-choppy is described for some wind sports.
- Launch
- Medium — Wide sandy beach area near the historical village ruins.
Through the year
Generally quiet year-round; occasional local riders on weekends.
Occasional rain in January and February; short intense bursts are most likely between January and March.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Works at the spot and can catch wind earlier than Dubai kite beaches; winter Shamals are the key.
- Kite Sizes
- 12–17 m²
Best when wind is light to moderate; progression-friendly flat-to-choppy water in season.
- Sail Sizes
- 6–8.5 m²
Viable for wingfoiling due to sandy bottom and open exposure; larger wings help on sea-breeze days.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil-friendly conditions are specifically noted.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 5–7 m²
Exposed sandbar break in the Persian Gulf that offers fairly consistent but generally small surf, working best on northwest swells during winter.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- NW
- Swell Height
- 0.5–1.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides, Mid — One source states it works across all tides; another reports best performance around mid-tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Open-coast exposure; little shelter from winds/swell.
- Wind Effect
- Onshore northwest winds can create chop; wave quality improves with clean groundswell or lighter local winds.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out on very large swells (rare in the Persian Gulf).
- Wave Quality
- Average — Quality ranges from average to good depending on conditions.
- Wave Power
- Soft — Small, soft waves most of the year; winter provides the most consistent surf.
- Wave Shape
- Mushy — Some reports describe mushy/peeling character depending on swell and sandbar position.
- Peel Speed
- Slow — Described as mushy/slow-peeling at times.
- Ride Length
- Short — Quick rides on shifting sandbars.
- Ride Length Details
- Short, quick sessions with the sandbar shifting over time.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Ras Al Kheima in the full forecast view.
Ras Al Kheima wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–11 ktsGusts 18 kts
- Direction
- NNW335°
- Strongest day
- Thu, Oct 2911 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.1–0.5 m3s period
- Temperature
- 25–34 °C
Over the next 7 days, Ras Al Kheima is forecast for daytime winds of 2–11 kts, peaking around 11 kts on Thursday, October 29 with gusts to 18 kts. The prevailing direction is NNW. Waves run 0.1–0.5 m with a period of about 3s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
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
- Dangerous rip currents
- Debris or hazards near historical structure areas
- Strong sun exposure and dehydration risk
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No dedicated lifeguard presence is indicated for the beach/launch area.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Regional guidance indicates limited rescue availability overall; at this spot-level, one provider also indicates no direct rescue support.
- Emergency Info
- Emergency number 999.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — Sources indicate no strong localism; the site is described as quiet/low-profile.
Rules of the spot
Not dropping in on another surfer’s wave; do not hog waves; prioritize safety of yourself and others; follow local guidelines and local heritage-site etiquette.
- Respect the historical heritage site; keep activities within the beach zone
- Observe local sport etiquette (wave priority / avoid dropping in)
- Check weather conditions before heading out
- Surf with a buddy
- Know your limits
- Respect local customs and sport etiquette
- Keep activities within the beach zone and respect the heritage site
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Ras Al Khaimah
- Nearest Town
- Al Hamra Village
- Parking
- Free parking on the beach access road; unpaved parking near the heritage village entrance is also described.
- Access
- Free parking on the beach access road behind Al Hamra Village and marina; accessible from Dubai via E311 north to RAK (about 1h15m), exit toward Al Hamra; also accessible via local roads leading to the Al Jazeera Heritage Village area.
- Local Language
- Arabic
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Luxury resorts and hotels are a short drive away in the Al Hamra area.
- Food & Drink
- Local cafes and restaurants are available in the nearby Al Hamra district; nearby waterfront dining is also described.
- Equipment Rental:
- Rental gear for kitesurfing/wingfoiling is available through mobile schools and established water sports centers at major hotels.
- Gear Storage
- Storage is typically provided by local kite schools and beach clubs (daily or monthly fee).
- Gear Repair
- Basic repairs are available via local schools; major canopy repairs may require sending gear to Dubai.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The area pairs beach sessions with nearby heritage and outdoor adventures, including mountain and desert experiences.
Highest peak in the UAE, with mountain hiking trails and the world’s longest zipline.
Last authentic traditional town still standing in the UAE; known as the 'Ghost Village' of former pearl divers.
Dune bashing, camel riding, and Bedouin camp experiences in nearby dunes.
Waterfront precinct with international dining options and licensed bars.
Boutique wildlife park with exotic animals and family-friendly walking paths.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Ras Al Kheima?
The best overall months at Ras Al Kheima are November, December, January, February, March, April. The best wind months are January, February.
Which wind directions work at Ras Al Kheima?
Ras Al Kheima works with W, WNW, NW winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Ras Al Kheima?
Recommended equipment sizes at Ras Al Kheima: Kitesurfing: 12–17 m² · Windsurfing: 6–8.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 5–7 m². The typical wind range is 4–17 kts.
What skill level is Ras Al Kheima suitable for?
Ras Al Kheima suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.