Here at Planet Kitesurf we understand that booking your first, or even your second or third, kitesurfing holiday can be a daunting experience. There are so many things to take into consideration like when and where to go and how much you have and need to spend to have a truly memorable experience. We always recommend speaking to a kitesurf holiday specialist, who not only knows the hotels and the destinations but also is an expert in the sport, before booking your trip.
But to get you started here are four simple frequently asked questions we get and think you should be asking before you book your kitesurfing holiday!
1. When should I travel?
This is a great question and also one that comes with many follow up questions. You need to look at when you can dedicate at least 5-7 days to your kitesurfing holiday. Long-haul destinations that are against the time zone always need a little more time to readjust. The longer you can dedicate to your kitesurfing holiday the more relaxed your time will be as you won’t need to stress if the wind doesn’t come through on one day or if you simply feel like taking some time off to explore the destination. The cost and availability of the location you want to travel to also effects when you should travel. Each destination has a prime time to travel but this can also be the busiest so you need to book well in advance or if you consider booking slightly out of season you may get a better price but the wind and weather could be unreliable.
2. How much do I need to spend on my kitesurfing holiday?
Your budget also depends on when and where you decide to travel. To get the best deals in the best location, we recommend you book early. The days of last minute deals were turned on their head some years ago with the advent of online booking algorithms which are often set to push prices higher closer to the time of departure. Before you call a tour operator we recommend putting together a rough budget – while this may seem like a sure-fire way to get taken for a ride, it actually helps operators to choose locations and itineraries that are best suited to you and not waste your time with holidays that you would never be able to afford.
3. Is the kiting destination safe?
Great kitesurfing destinations are often out of the way, remote locations. Safety is a big thing to consider when choosing the location for your holiday and is something we are often asked advice on. With Egypt and Turkey being avoided in recent years, holidaymakers from the UK are tending to visit destinations such as the Canary Islands and Cape Verde, which have seen a 200% increase in arrivals over the past year. Longer haul locations like Mauritius and South Africa are also very popular as they offer a good level of safety and great value for money, yet are still easily accessible with directs flight from the UK and a very small time zone difference to Europe.
4. Can I kite directly from the hotel?
90% of our clients want to be able to kitesurf directly from, or next to, their accommodation. This is especially important for those travelling with families or non-kiting partners. A massive part of our job here at Planet Kitesurf is to research and visit the windiest corners of the planet, looking for good quality accommodation next to amazing kitesurf spots with a professional kitesurf school that can provide reliable safety cover, quality lessons and rental. There are thousands of great kitesurf spots out there but it’s actually hard to find good and safe locations that make for a perfect kitesurfing holiday. If you think you know of a great spot we have missed let us know!
Ready to book or have some more questions you need answered then get in touch with us today!
