Kiteboarding in November: where to go

For kiteboarding in November I'd consider northeast Brazil, where Cumbuco is in a windy part of its season, or the Red Sea. November is the lightest month at the NASA model point near Hurghada used here; that doesn't apply to all of Egypt. Dakhla's airport station also has a lower average than in summer. I'd choose Tarifa or Sicily based on the forecast for the trip.

I know November on the Red Sea: in November 2023 I was on a kite safari and we rode at Geisum and Ashrafi. A stay of 1 week doesn't tell you much about a whole month, though, so for the numbers I go to weather station records that cover many years.

How I read November wind statistics

Most figures here come from Windfinder, which publishes monthly averages measured at specific weather stations. I give wind in knots and m/s. A knot is a nautical unit: 1 knot equals 1.852 km/h, or about 0.51 m/s.

An average of 12 knots (6.2 m/s) doesn't mean the wind stays at that speed all day. Windfinder uses daytime measurements only, including light winds and calm periods. NASA POWER averages across the whole day, so these are differently defined measures. To choose a month, I compare November with other months at the same location using the same source.

A station measures at a particular location, and its surroundings can affect the readings. I wouldn't apply the El Gouna figure to every island in the Red Sea. NASA POWER uses a 0.5° × 0.625° grid, with a value representing the whole cell. It's a first filter for planning and supplies the monthly wind data on the kite spot map; I'd check conditions at the beach separately.

November at a glance

The Brazilian stations have the highest November averages in this selection. Each station measures in a different setting and over a different period, though, so that ranking doesn't tell you where you'll get the most rideable days. Before booking, I'd check the specific spot and whether its conditions suit my level.

Brazil: November is high season

Cumbuco's November station average is close to its October peak. That puts November on my shortlist for kitesurfing in Brazil. Before choosing accommodation, I'd ask a local school where you launch and what the beach is like for someone who can ride and wants to progress.

I'd treat Jericoacoara's figures more cautiously: that station's records stop in 2015. They show the historical seasonal pattern; I'd check conditions for this year's trip with a local school.

Personally, I'd set aside 2 weeks for Brazil rather than 1. Even a higher monthly average can't promise how many days of that stay I'll actually ride.

Egypt and the Red Sea: a lighter month, still rideable

At the NASA POWER point near Hurghada used here, November has the lowest monthly average of the year: 5.32 m/s (10.3 knots) at 10 m, against 7.36 m/s (14.3 knots) in August. I use that as a guide for this area, rather than the November wind at every Egyptian beach.

El Gouna's station average is lower in November than in October and higher than in December. That doesn't confirm the annual minimum at the Hurghada model point. I'd pack a hoodie for evenings on deck or on the beach.

In Egypt in November I'd plan for days on a bigger kite. If you only fly smaller sizes, work out what you'd need before you go, for example with the kite size calculator, and decide whether to bring a bigger kite or rent one.

On a safari it helps that the yacht heads to the islands each day according to the wind and the crew picks the spot for the conditions, so you go where the wind is. The November 2026 trip runs 7-14 November: 8 days and 7 nights on a yacht from Hurghada, €1,250 per person in a twin cabin. Full kite gear rents for €300 for 6 days. To find out whether there are still places on that trip, use the form on the kite safari in Egypt page. Dates for 2027 haven't been published yet, and the same form lets you ask to be told when they are.

How the wind in Egypt changes over the whole year is in Best time to kitesurf in Egypt.

Dakhla: still windy, just much less than in summer

If you know Dakhla from summer, don't expect the same wind strength in November. The figure in the table comes from the airport. Before booking, I'd ask a school at the lagoon I was considering about local November conditions, launch assistance and the sizes available to rent.

I'd use that information to plan what to pack. Once on the beach, choose your kite size for the actual wind, your weight and your ability; a monthly average isn't enough.

Boracay: the season is just starting

November starts Boracay's main season, which local school Freestyle Academy lists as running until April. The station's historical November wind direction is northeast. Its measurements stop in 2018, though, and Windfinder warns that the station is no longer available or reporting data.

I treat the higher December and January averages as a historical guide to timing. If your dates are flexible, I'd compare those months with November and check conditions with a local school. Monthly averages can't tell us when within November the wind will arrive.

Tarifa and Sicily: forecast only

November has the lowest average at Tarifa's town station. For a week focused on riding, I'd wait for a good forecast and check how the wind direction works at the chosen beach before going out. I'd bring a wetsuit.

I'd also let the forecast decide a November trip for kitesurfing at Lo Stagnone. Its station records cover only 2015-2017 and show November as lighter than October. I was on a kite trip in Sicily in October 2022; that trip doesn't tell me what November will be like.

For Europe in November I'd do what I do for Rügen: watch the forecast and go when something shows up. In June 2025, a good forecast was enough to get me to Rügen for a short trip. In November that means booking the flight or getting in the car only a few days ahead, once the forecast looks right.

What to sort out before a November trip

• Kite size. Before travelling, check conditions at the specific spot and the rental options. Choose the kite for each session based on the actual wind, your weight and your ability.
• Something warm for the evening. El Gouna gets down to about 21 °C at night in November, Tarifa to about 16 °C. A wetsuit for Europe, at least a warm layer for the Red Sea.
• The forecast before you leave. The average tells you whether the month makes sense. Whether your week will be windy only the forecast a few days out can tell you.
• Insurance that covers kiting. For the safari the organiser recommends it and it isn't included. I wouldn't travel outside Europe without it.

At El Gouna, October has a higher wind average than November, while December has a lower one. When deciding where to kitesurf in winter, I'd first work out whether my dates are flexible or I'm choosing a spot for a fixed week off.