Photos: Disputed Western Sahara becomes kitesurfing hotspot

A kitesurfer maneuvering her kite at Dakhla beach in Morocco-administered Western Sahara. In Dakhla, an Atlantic seaport town punctuated with military buildings in Morocco-administered Western Sahara, swarms of kitesurfers now sail in the lagoon daily.

A kitesurfer riding waves at Dakhla beach in Morocco-administered Western Sahara. "Here there is nothing other than sun, wind and waves. We turned the adversity of the elements to our advantage: that's the very principle of kitesurfing," says the kitesurfer Rachid Roussafi.

Tourists reading as a kitesurfer glides on waves at Dakhla beach in Morocco-administered Western Sahara. Tourist numbers to this place have jumped from 25,000 in 2010 to 100,000 today.

A kitesurfer riding waves at Dakhla beach in Morocco-administered Western Sahara. The former Spanish garrison is booming today with the visitor influx adding to fishing and trade revenue.

A kitesurfer holding her kite as she walks away at Dakhla beach in Morocco-administered Western Sahara. Kitesurfing requires pricey gear - including a board, harness and kite - and the niche tourism spot attracts well-off visitors of all nationalities.

Kitesurfers at Dakhla beach in Morocco-administered Western Sahara.

A kitesurfer riding waves at Dakhla beach in Morocco-administered Western Sahara.

The silhouette of a kitesurfer against the sunset at Dakhla beach in Morocco-administered Western Sahara.

A kitesurfer riding waves at Dakhla beach in Morocco-administered Western Sahara.

A kitesurfer riding waves at Dakhla beach in Morocco-administered Western Sahara.

A kitesurfer fixing her board at Dakhla beach in Morocco-administered Western Sahara.

Tourists watching kitesurfers pass by at Dakhla beach in Morocco-administered Western Sahara.

A kitesurfer maneuvering her kite at Dakhla beach in Morocco-administered Western Sahara.

A kitesurfer riding waves at Dakhla beach in Morocco-administered Western Sahara.

A kitesurfer maneuvers her kite at Dakhla beach in Morocco-administered Western Sahara.

A kitesurfer riding waves at Dakhla beach in Morocco-administered Western Sahara.

Kitesurfers riding waves at Dakhla beach in Morocco-administered Western Sahara.

Kite-surfers manuever their kites at Dakhla beach in Morocco-administered Western Sahara.

Tourists watch kitesurfers at Dakhla beach in Morocco-administered Western Sahara.

A kitesurfer riding waves at Dakhla beach in Morocco-administered Western Sahara.

A kitesurfer maneuvering her kite at Dakhla beach in Morocco-administered Western Sahara.