Kenya
LAST UPDATED 27/08/2008
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Level of surfing

Beginner

Quality of surf

Average

Call code

254

Net code

ke

Area

580367

Coastline

536 km

Climate

Varies from tropical along coast to arid in interior

Hazards

Coup / Civil Unrest

Best Months

September - December

Population

34707817

Currency

Kenyan Shilling (KES) Kenyan shillings per US dollar - 72.101 (2006)

Time Zone

East African Time (UTC+3)

Special Requirements

Lengthy VISA Process, Non tourist Friendly

surfing

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Angelo Juan Ramos; Moon over Mombassa; 2007

Sitting mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, it is the easterly tracking sub antartic storm cells South of Africa that peel up and supply most of the area with swell. Kenya is no exception. April to September is the best season for spots requiring SE to SW groundswell. Island groups in the region can create some swell shadowing but generally, the sheer frequency of the southerly swells will make those spots your better option. Rarer northerly swells that descend from the Arabian gulf from May to July can light up novelty spots and mysto treats but swell decay is a problem. 

Bear in mind that the southerly swells do need to 'bend' up quite a bit to feed this coast so not every system is going to yield results for you. Reliance on onshore winswells is a reality of surfing on the western side of the Indian Ocean. In betwwen the flat periods though, chances are you are going to have some serious fun in generally uncrowded waves. 

what to pack

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Rich Niewiroski Jr.: 62 mm ultra-violet, fluorescent, and polarizing lens filters. Camera used was a Canon 400D; April 9, 2007

Trainers, loose clothing - everything for the hot weather. Definitely take along some bug repellent spray, good sunscreen and sunglasses! Better take your medicines with you (esp. anti histamine tablets), as the brands can be unfamiliar and cost more. By the way, getting a trip medical insurance would be a good idea.

And take a good protection for your camera from the sand.

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