What September feels like in Dakhla
Dakhla in September is warm but never oppressive, with daytime temperatures around 28.8 °C and nights near 20.9 °C. Relative humidity averages 70%, and the wind blows across the peninsula for most of the daylight hours, which makes the air feel two to four degrees cooler than the thermometer suggests.
Expect roughly 11 hours of sunshine per day out of 12.3 hours of daylight. Cloud in Dakhla is usually low marine stratus in the early morning rather than the thick overcast you would associate with rain.
Wind and kitesurfing in September
Peak wind season. The average daily maximum wind speed in September is 32 km/h — about 17 knots — with gusts averaging 50 km/h. The north-east trade wind follows the same daily rhythm all year: light in the morning, building from late morning as the Sahara heats up, and peaking between the early and late afternoon.
For most riders this means an 8–10 m kite covers the majority of afternoons, with a 7 m for the strongest days.
Sea temperature and the water in September
The Atlantic off Dakhla averages 21 °C in September. Warmest water of the year — shorty wetsuit. The cold Canary Current keeps the water well below what the latitude would suggest, while the shallow lagoon warms faster than the open ocean and can feel noticeably milder at low tide on a sunny afternoon.
Rain, fog and visibility
September records about 6.9 mm of rain across roughly 1 wet days. Rain gear is not something to plan around here. What does affect visibility is fog: warm air moving over cold water condenses, especially in the early morning, and usually clears between 10:00 and midday.
Crowds and prices in September
Moderate. Dakhla's high season follows the wind rather than the sun, so the busiest and most expensive months are the windiest ones, not the warmest.
What to pack for September
- Wetsuit: Warmest water of the year — shorty wetsuit.
- Light long-sleeve layers — they block the sun and the wind at the same time.
- A warm mid-layer for evenings: nights drop to around 20.9 °C and the breeze makes it feel cooler.
- SPF 50 sunscreen, sunglasses and a buff for blowing sand.