Dakhla Lagoon

The Dakhla lagoon, cradled on a long sandy peninsula where the Sahara plunges into the Atlantic, is one of the most spectacular meeting points of desert and ocean on earth. A vast, shallow lagoon of shimmering turquoise water, sheltered from the open sea, its warm, flat shallows and famously steady winds have made it one of the world's premier destinations for kitesurfing and windsurfing. Beyond the water stretch endless empty dunes, and the surrounding coast holds hidden bays, a white-dune island, hot springs and rich birdlife including flamingos. Remote, elemental and increasingly beloved by watersport enthusiasts, Dakhla offers a genuinely extraordinary landscape of sand, sea and sky.

What you actually see

• The turquoise lagoon - the vast sheltered flat-water bay.
• The kitesurfing - the world-class wind and flat shallows.
• The white dune - the striking sand island in the lagoon.
• The wildlife - the flamingos and birdlife of the shallows.

When to go

April to September brings the strongest, steadiest winds prized by kitesurfers and warm, sunny weather, though the lagoon's mild climate makes it a year-round destination; the shoulder months are quieter. The flat turquoise water is inviting in any season.

Honest expectations

Dakhla lies on a remote desert peninsula reached by a long journey, and its facilities centre on watersport camps rather than a wide range of tourism, so it suits those drawn to kitesurfing, nature and desert-meets-ocean scenery. As a stunning turquoise lagoon of flat water, steady wind and endless dunes, though, Dakhla is a genuinely extraordinary and increasingly beloved destination.

Nearby

The town of Dakhla, the dunes and the Atlantic coast lie around the lagoon.