Reef Raf (Eilat)
- Freeride, Wave
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Chop, Ocean, Mixed
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Reef Raf is a compact, small-beach kitesurfing spot in Eilat with crystal-clear Red Sea water and chop conditions. The prevailing wind is northerly (North sideshore), expressed as a thermal pattern that typically starts early and strengthens toward the late morning/early afternoon before tapering or becoming more gusty later in the day. Best wind months are April through October. The main challenge is the beach itself: it is described as extremely small with only a narrow entry/exit area for safe use, leaving little room for kite setup and making it unsuitable for beginners who are not already able to ride upwind. Offshore exposure further raises the bar—riders need comfort with self-rescue and strict attention to launch/landing zones, especially if the area becomes busy. Safety is dominated by coral and marine protection. Corals are present, and there is a coral reserve approximately 250m south that is explicitly prohibited; entering that reserve is strongly discouraged. Additional hazards referenced include rocks near the shoreline and boat traffic near the area, plus nearby shipping/port considerations. Conditions are generally warm enough for lighter protection during summer, while winter water is still moderate and many riders use a thinner setup (or no suit), though the colder season can bring increased need for thermal protection. Overall, it’s best approached as an intermediate rider location who can manage offshore wind, deep-water access, and the constrained launch/landing footprint.
- Crystal-clear water visibility
- Reliable northerly thermal winds during April–October
- Deep water starting close to shore (supportive for foiling)
- On-site/nearby amenities including toilets/showers/parking and equipment support
- Crystal-clear water and a shallow-to-deep transition with deep water close to shore.
- Consistent northerly thermal wind in the main season (April through October).
- Dedicated rider environment with on-site/nearby amenities and equipment support.
- Extremely small beach with limited space for kite setup, launch, and landing.
- Not suitable for beginners who cannot ride upwind.
- Offshore North wind and deep water starting near shore increase the need for self-rescue readiness.
- Coral hazards, including a coral reserve about 250m south that is off-limits.
- Crowding risk can make safe launch/landing difficult.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N
- Offshore directions
- N
- Wind Range
- 14–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Thermal — Thermal wind with a northerly component; generally starts early and is strongest later morning through early afternoon, then tapers/gusts by mid-afternoon.
- Reliability
- High during summer months; overall Eilat sees over 200 windy days per year in the region.
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gustiness.
- Best Months
- April, May, June, July, August, September, October
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop, Ocean, Mixed
- Beach
- Sand — Some sources describe beach composition as mixed; coral is present beneath/nearshore.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — Surf-facing providers describe wave size as small; water remains typically chop for kitesurfing.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Kitesurfing described as chop-water.
- Launch
- Small — Small/narrow beach with limited space for kite setup and launching; described as the only entry/exit point.
Through the year
Highest during summer holidays and Jewish holidays; weekends are busier with locals.
Rain is very rare; occasional sandstorms or strong southern winds can occur in winter.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Chop-water kitesurfing on a very small beach with sideshore North wind; offshore exposure means riders should be competent with self-rescue and able to ride upwind. The tiny launch/exit area makes it unsuitable for beginners who cannot ride upwind.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Consistent morning winds with deep water starting very close to shore; best suited to intermediate riders comfortable with offshore conditions.
- Sail Sizes
- 5–7.5 m²
Deep-water access supports foiling, though the narrow launch can be challenging.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes
- Min Depth
- 2 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Reef Raf (Eilat) in the full forecast view.
Reef Raf (Eilat) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–11 ktsGusts 19 kts
- Direction
- NNE13°
- Strongest day
- Fri, Oct 3011 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.0–0.5 m2s period
- Temperature
- 20–34 °C
Over the next 7 days, Reef Raf (Eilat) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–11 kts, peaking around 11 kts on Friday, October 30 with gusts to 19 kts. The prevailing direction is NNE. Waves run 0.0–0.5 m with a period of about 2s. 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
- Corals
- Coral reserve about 250m south (off-limits)
- Offshore wind
- Rocks near the shoreline
- Deep water starting very close to shore
- Boat traffic
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguards are listed as seasonal.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability is described as limited; coast guard/local marine police monitor the gulf and private rescue services are often available through local surf centers, but no dedicated kite/windsurf rescue base is specifically documented for this spot.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospital is Joseftal Hospital in Eilat.
Rules of the spot
Do not enter the coral reserve about 250m south; kitesurfers must follow designated launch zones and be able to ride upwind due to the extremely small beach/limited exits.
- Coral reserve about 250m south is off-limits.
- No-kite zones in protected marine areas.
- Proximity to shipping/port area requires awareness.
- Start early to catch the most stable wind.
- Wear booties to protect feet from coral and rocks.
- Ensure you are comfortable with self-rescue in offshore wind conditions.
- Do not kite within the coral reserve area about 250m south.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Eilat
- Nearest Town
- Eilat
- Nearest Airport
- Eilat Ramon Airport (ETH) / Ramon International Airport (ETM)
- Parking
- Parking available at/near the spot; parking described as limited near the beach area and along the main road.
- Public Transport
- Public buses and taxis serve the area frequently.
- Access
- Accessible via the main road heading south from Eilat city center; public buses and taxis serve the area frequently. Parking is available/limited near the beach area depending on approach.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Hebrew
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous hotels are within walking distance or a short drive.
- Food & Drink
- Several beach bars and restaurants are located in the immediate vicinity; bar and restaurant nearby.
- Equipment Rental:
- Available on-site/nearby; equipment rental described as available at nearby centers within a 1–2km radius.
- Gear Storage
- Gear storage offered by some local surf centers for a fee.
- Gear Repair
- Basic repair services available at shops in Eilat city center; gear repair mentioned as available on-site by some sources.
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 Reef Raf (Eilat)?
The best overall months at Reef Raf (Eilat) are April, May, June, July, August, September, October.
Which wind directions work at Reef Raf (Eilat)?
Reef Raf (Eilat) works with N winds. Offshore directions are N.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Reef Raf (Eilat)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Reef Raf (Eilat): Kitesurfing: 7–12 m² · Windsurfing: 5–7.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 14–25 kts.
What skill level is Reef Raf (Eilat) suitable for?
Reef Raf (Eilat) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate.