Overview

Sodwana Bay is a legendary kite spot in the iSimangaliso park, on KwaZulu-Natal's northernmost coast. World-famous for scuba diving, this tropical bay also offers kite conditions with very warm waters (24-28°C) and coral reefs. Spectacular natural setting. Isolated spot reserved for advanced riders.

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Spot forecast for Sodwana Bay

Sunrise 05:08 · Sunset 18:00

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< 7 kn7–12 kn13–20 kn21–30 kn31–40 kn41+ kn Gusts Your minimum: 7 kn

Forecasts provided by Open-Meteo

Swell and waves

Swell and tides over 8 days. Premium members see the swell and tides over 8 days. Without a subscription: 5 days.

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Wave height: < 0.5 m 0.5–1 m 1–2 m 2–3 m ≥ 3 m

Swell data by Open-Meteo Marine

Tides

Heights above lowest astronomical tide, in the spot's local time. Computed 2.9 km from the spot.

Tuesday 20 October Low tide 05:18 · 1 m High tide 12:24 · 1.5 m Low tide 18:35 · 1 m
Wednesday 21 October High tide 00:35 · 1.5 m Low tide 06:40 · 0.9 m High tide 13:11 · 1.7 m Low tide 19:19 · 0.9 m
Thursday 22 October High tide 01:20 · 1.6 m Low tide 07:20 · 0.7 m High tide 13:41 · 1.9 m Low tide 19:50 · 0.7 m
Friday 23 October High tide 01:53 · 1.8 m Low tide 07:52 · 0.5 m High tide 14:09 · 2.1 m Low tide 20:20 · 0.5 m
Saturday 24 October High tide 02:23 · 2 m Low tide 08:22 · 0.4 m High tide 14:38 · 2.2 m Low tide 20:49 · 0.3 m

Sodwana Bay: when to go?

Rideable days and hours computed for a minimum wind of 7 knots · log in to set your own (foil, twin-tip…)

Season · peak

231h

in December · 25.5 rideable days

The season runs from August to January, peaking in December: 22 rideable days a month and 231 hours of usable wind, at 26 °C. The low point is June, at 9.5 days.

Rideable days per month

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 77%13-20 knots · 23%21-30 knots · under 1%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 77% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is June, at 23 °C. The wettest month is March, with 205 mm.

Monthly averages: Sodwana Bay

Monthly averages — Sodwana Bay — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
Month	Rideable days	Usable wind	Temperature	Rain
January	23.5	186 h	28 °C	117 mm
February	18.5	157 h	28 °C	88 mm
March	25.5	177 h	27 °C	205 mm
April	13.5	90 h	26 °C	124 mm
May	17.5	101 h	25 °C	22 mm
June	9.5	41 h	23 °C	39 mm
July	13.5	64 h	23 °C	15 mm
August	21.0	135 h	24 °C	30 mm
September	19.5	140 h	24 °C	84 mm
October	22.0	170 h	24 °C	50 mm
November	21.0	180 h	26 °C	104 mm
December	25.5	231 h	28 °C	106 mm

Photo gallery of Sodwana Bay

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Technical details of Sodwana Bay spot

The spot works with winds from NNE, NE, ENE, E, ESE, SE.

Rideable Not rideable

Spot functioning

The spot works in NE to SE winds. Sandy beach with coral reefs close to shore. Tide strongly influences conditions. Ocean swell. Check park regulations for kitesurfing. Launch from the sandy beach.

Spot opening date · Required level

Spot opening date: Open all year round
Required level: Advanced

On the water

Very warm tropical water (24-28°C), no wetsuit needed. Sandy bottom near the beach, coral reef offshore. Crystal-clear water. Exceptional marine life. Coastal currents. Regular waves.

Parking

Access from the N2 via Mbazwana (long road, partially dirt). iSimangaliso park entrance fee. Parking at Sodwana camp. Accommodation in the camp or camping. Basic infrastructure but dive lodges available.

Wind specificities

The dominant wind is the NE (summer trade wind), blowing side-onshore on this east-facing coast. Very tropical conditions. Wind can be reinforced by coastal effects. Year-round, best October to April. Cyclone season possible in summer.

Hazards

Coral reef very close to shore, dangerous and protected. Strong coastal currents. Sharks present (tiger sharks, bull sharks). Very isolated spot, rescue hours away. Strict park regulations. Cyclone season. Buddy system mandatory.

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All spots: KwaZulu-Natal

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Sodwana Bay kitesurf, wingfoil and surf spot