Iraq
Middle EastLevel of surfing
Beginner
Quality of surf
Average
Call code
964
Net code
iq
Area
438317
Coastline
58 km
Climate
Arid, extreme desert conditions
Hazards
Extreme Heat, Severe Storms, Difficult Access, War / Conflict, Coup / Civil Unrest
Best Months
November - January
Population
26783383
Currency
Iraqi Dinar (IQD)
Time Zone
AST (UTC+3)
Special Requirements
Private Beaches, Special Pass / Permits, Lengthy VISA Process, Non tourist Friendly, Strict Religious Observance
surfing
Chris O: Al Faw Peninsula, Iraq; 2004
Iraq's coastline is entirely within the Persian Gulf. Persian Gulf swells are a real rarity that occurs with rideable results maybe twice a year. Standard weather patterns will not produce rideable surf within the Gulf. What you are looking for is a stray system from the northern Indian Ocean or the Arabian Sea to go spining out of control and sit at one end of the Gulf for a few days. If the system sits to the north then the UAE, Western Iran, Saudi, Qatar and even Bahrain will have something small but rideable. If the system sits south then the UAE will be a howling offshore sandstorm with Qatar, Saudi and even Kuwait getting a wave.
Many a visiting servicemen have watched the morphing sandbanks off Iraqs' small slice of coast in the Al Faw Peninsula during storms and legend has it that a sliding left hander peels along the dredged harbour approach every few years. Some of us are still waiting for a colour photo to confirm it!
what to pack
Nordelch: Flashlight; 7 January 2005
If you still go to Iraq after all the warnings, pack only important stuff: loose clothes to cover the whole body, sunscreen, sunglasses, plenty of fresh water, first aid kit, all the medicines you usually take, food, swiss knife.
And if you are taking a digital camera, don't forget to take a high capacity memory card and a good protection for your camera from the sand.
You may also want to take a day carry bag, for carrying your camera, reading material, and picnic goodies while you leave your large bag at the hotel.