Ever wondered where to go kitesurfing next? If you’re like many of us, you probably start by asking Google about the best kitesurfing spots in the world and end up on a post with a list of top destinations.
We’ve been itching to create a similar post but wanted to find a fresh angle for it. If you’re here, it’s (hopefully) because you’re interested in the unbiased ranking part of our list.
So here’s what we did: we analyzed data to identify the top 10 kitesurfing destinations based on global search trends from Google.
My brother and I have been kitesurfing for over 17 years. We launched Surfwaze to make it easy for anyone to find top kite spots around the world.
How did we do it?
We dove deep into worldwide search trends for the most renowned kitesurfing spots since 2004. That’s as far back as Google Trends data goes. Then:
We analyzed search trends year by year for each destination.
We averaged the search data from the last 2 years to capture the latest trends and assembled the top 10.
Then, we calculated the share of searches each destination received within the top 10 and created our unbiased ranking.
Best places to kitesurf according to Google searches
So there you have it: an unbiased ranking of the top 10 kitesurfing destinations in the world based on Google search.
The chart reveals the top 10 most popular and frequently searched kitesurfing destinations in the world over the past 2 years. Source: Google Trends
The fact that many of these spots made the list isn't surprising, the ranking itself however is—at least to us!
We were shocked to see that places like Kalpitiya, Maui, and Cape Town didn't make the list. Or to see lesser-known (though equally great) spots like Lo Stagnone topping world-class destinations like Mui Ne and Boracay. We expected Tarifa to be at the top, but we didn’t think it would hold nearly a quarter of the total searches.
What's even more interesting is that Tarifa has been number 1 globally for 16 of the last 21 years. Mauritius took over as the top spot from 2016 to 2019, but then Tarifa jumped back to reclaim its undefeated title of kitesurfing capital.
The chart below illustrates the share of both Tarifa and Mauritius within the top 10 since 2010. Before 2010, Tarifa dominated the top spot by far, which is why the earlier period isn't included in the chart.
Since 2010 Tarifa and Mauritius are neck and neck for the top spot as the best kitesurfing destinations in the world. Source: Google Trends
Discover the top 10 best kitesurfing spots
01. Tarifa
Location: Andalusia, Spain
When to go: April to October
Best known for: A true all-around destination, with great spots to learn (outside the crowded summer season), epic Big Air conditions, and some top wave riding action.
Learn more about Tarifa.
© Andaluciamia
02. Mauritius
Location: Indian Ocean, off the coast of Madagascar
When to go: April to November
Best known for: While the lagoon at Le Morne offers great conditions to learn, it's for the world-class wave spot, One Eye, that Mauritius is most famous for.
Learn more about Mauritius.
© Get Your Guide
03. Dakhla
Location: Morocco, Western Sahara
When to go: April to September
Best known for: Flat water lagoon spots great for learning and freestyle.
Learn more about Dakhla.
© Surf-Magazin
04. El Gouna
Location: Red Sea, Egypt
When to go: March to June, September to November
Best known for: Arguably one of the best places to learn kitesurfing. The spot is a huge lagoon, with steady winds, shallow waters, and lots of sunshine.
Learn more about El Gouna.
© Duotone
05. Fuerteventura
Location: Canary Islands, Spain
When to go: May to September
Best known for: The famous kite lagoon at Sotavento, Flag Beach in Corralejo, and some top wave riding spots scattered across the island.
Learn more about Fuerteventura.
© R2 Hotels
06. Madagascar
Location: Indian Ocean, off the coast of East Africa
When to go: March to November
© Ocean Lodge Madagascar
07. Leucate
Location: Southeast coast of France
When to go: March to December
© Aude Tourisme
08. Essaouira
Location: Morocco
When to go: April to September
Best known for: Spacious beaches and consistent winds, ideal for beginners, and some top-notch wave spots.
Learn more about Essaouira.
© KiteWorldWide
09. Tenerife
Location: Canary Islands, Spain
When to go: May to October
Best known for: The El Medano kitesurfing spot on the south of the island offering great conditions for beginners, and some great easy wave spots too!
Learn more about Tenerife.
© Web Tenerife
10. Lo Stagnone
Location: Marsala, Sicily, Italy
When to go: May to September
© ProKite Alby Rondina
Hungry for more?
We loved diving into the research and presenting an unbiased ranking of the best kitesurfing destinations in the world. What do you think of the ranking? Share your thoughts in the comments and let us know if you’d like us to compile a list of the top 20 kitesurfing spots next.
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