Reef Raf (Eilat)

KitesurfingWindsurfingWingfoiling
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 this spot

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
Great for
Kitesurfing freerideKitesurfing waveKitesurfing freestyleWindsurfing freerideWindsurfing slalomWindsurfing foilWingfoil freeride
What's great
  • 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.
Heads up
  • 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.
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Practical spot guide

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

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
20–27 °C
Water Temperature
20–32 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Dec–Mar: 3/2mm full suitMay–Oct: rash guard / boardshortsApr, Nov: 3/2mm full suit (shoulder season option)
Crowds by Season

Highest during summer holidays and Jewish holidays; weekends are busier with locals.

Storm/Rain Season

Rain is very rare; occasional sandstorms or strong southern winds can occur in winter.

By sport

What to expect for each.

KitesurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

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.

FreerideWaveFreestyle
Kite Sizes
7–12 m²
WindsurfingSkill Level

Consistent morning winds with deep water starting very close to shore; best suited to intermediate riders comfortable with offshore conditions.

FreerideSlalomFoil
Sail Sizes
5–7.5 m²
WingfoilingSkill Level

Deep-water access supports foiling, though the narrow launch can be challenging.

Foil Friendly
Yes
Min Depth
2 meters
Wing Sizes
4–6 m²
Forecast

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.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

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
Ability Level: Intermediate
Recommended Safety Gear
HelmetImpact vestBootsWetsuit

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.

Restrictions
  • Coral reserve about 250m south is off-limits.
  • No-kite zones in protected marine areas.
  • Proximity to shipping/port area requires awareness.
Local Tips
  • 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
Amenities

What's on the beach

Toilets
Showers
Parking
Restaurant
Bar
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.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

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.