Bermuda kite spots
Still discovering new spots!
Due to Bermuda’s rocky topology and varying winds, you have to pick a spot that works for that day, sometimes even according to the tides. Some spots have a large range, others only exist in low tides.. And some are only accessible by boat or by kiting to them from another spot.
Below is a list of the most popular places.
If you have any questions or just want to get in touch, email me here.
Elbow Beach
By far the largest beach for kiting, which also works in the most wind directions. However, the chop here is something else. Due to Bermuda’s rather unique boiler reefs, the chop comes from hundreds of directions at the same time. Makes it hard to ride fast or time jumps. Still a great place with plenty of space for launching and landing.
Rigging & Launching:
Beach with beautiful sand that sticks to everything.Riding conditions:
Slight shore break. Serious chop. Reefs around but generally too deep and not too sharp. Riding area too deep to stand.Parking and access:
Usually plenty of parking on the public access road. Brand new concrete steps to beach allowing for a short walk and easy access from the parking lot.Amenities:
Nothing really with the exception of a Port-a-pottyWind directions:
SW-NEWatch out for:
In warmer months watch out for swimmers.
Horseshoe Bay Beach
The main wave spot and the most popular beach in Bermuda for tourists. Only works on winds from around the south east due to the cliffs surrounding the beach at each end. Gets choppy on the outside but often allows for some nice turns in the shore break. Gets crowded with only four or five kiters on the water as the space is limited as it is an onshore spot.
Rigging & Launching:
Big beach with beautiful sand that sticks to everything.Riding conditions:
Sometimes a large shore break. Sometimes great waves. Best tide height is middle to high as it provides longer rides and more space.Parking and access:
Plenty of parking on the public access road. Brand new concrete steps to beach allowing for a short walk and easy access from the parking lot.Amenities:
Showers and bathrooms, summer time beach bar in the south cornerWind directions:
SE-SWatch out for:
In warmer months watch out for swimmers and when a cruise ship is in it can very full. Watch out for surfer when the surf is up.
Somerset Long Bay
The best kiting spot on the island as it is not too choppy, quite friendly for beginners, and rigging areas on grass. Works best on all winds from the North. Ranging from WNW-NNE
Rigging & Launching:
Large grassy areas to rig and keep your kite when not on the water. Narrow beach on high tide but quite large on low tide. Launching can be a little sketchy on the grassy areas if there are wind shadows.Riding conditions:
Quite flat with small chop. Sometimes small fun ramps at the right tide and direction.Parking and access:
Plenty of parking.Amenities:
Nothing really with the exception of a Port-a-pottyWind directions:
WNW-NNEWatch out for:
Sea turtles swimming around, and as the beach is near an old glass dump, sometimes sharp pieces of the odd glass bottle can be seen on the beach.
Nine Beaches (Daniel’s Head) North and South
If the winds are shifting, two alternative spots for launching are situated on and abandoned resort called Nine Beaches. While there are nine beaches, only two or three are large enough to launch from with a kite. Additionally, they are best on lower tides for launching. Great spot to start if you want to quickly get out to ride near the semi submerged wreck, The Vixen.
Rigging & Launching:
Grass rigging. Launch from sandRiding conditions:
Small chop. South side has some more shallow areas to stand.Parking and access:
Plenty of parking.Amenities:
Abandoned bungalows..Wind directions:
SSW-W for the south launching area
NW-NE on the north launching areaWatch out for:
Turtles plus trees at launching area.
West Side Road
A great spot that handles all westerly directions, and shallow quite far out. However, on high tides, the beach can completely disappear making rigging and launching difficult. If you can’t find the beach access, don’t worry! It is a small walkway between two houses, so just look for a tine alley.
Rigging & Launching:
Sandy rigging and often have to walk out in the shallows to launch.Riding conditions:
Small but pretty clean chop, Sometimes a little nice kickers on the right tides and direction.Parking and access:
Limited parking, best near an abandoned church across the street. Short walk of around 75 meters from there.Amenities:
Nothing…Wind directions:
SW-NWWatch out for:
Sometimes some debris on the beach, and on low tide, don’t ride too close to the buildings...
Grape Bay
Another beautiful beach but with limited access as no public parking is available. Similar conditions to Elbow Beach but a little smaller. Sometimes a nice shore break.
Rigging & Launching:
Sandy beach with beautiful sand that sticks to everything.Riding conditions:
Slight shore break. Serious chop. Reefs around but generally too deep and not too sharp.Parking and access:
Very limited parking for cars unless you know someone who lives in the area.Amenities:
NoneWind directions:
SSW-ENEWatch out for:
Some shallow reef areas in low tide.
Shelly Bay
The cleanest small waves you can get in Bermuda, but only works in limited directions. From around 235 degrees to 260. Meaning just north of SW and just before W. Any other wind direction you start getting some wind shadows and it can get gusty if it is too southerly. Low tide creates som very smooth kickers. As it is a small riding area and an onshore wind, it can get crowded on the inside with more than three kites.
Rigging & Launching:
Grass or beach rigging. High tide limited space near trees but safe if rider goes out into the water. Hard to self launch in high tide. Self launching a little risky as debris and kelp sometimes on the beach.Riding conditions:
On shore, but lower tides create sweet kickers and some great small but clean rideable waves for the waveriders.Parking and access:
Plenty of parking.Amenities:
Restrooms near parking areaWind directions:
Around SW-W (235-275 degrees)Watch out for:
In warmer months watch out for swimmers. The road is nearby, so make sure you dont fly your kite too close to the road..
Coopers Island
On the east end you can find a few spots for different directions. Clearwater can have great flat water but sometimes gets people in trouble with the airport personell. Coopers island can be good on SE. Works all the way to NE but gets very choppy. Some small beaches on the south side of Cooper’s island can be good on SW but quite small riding areas.
Rigging & Launching:
Sandy beach rigging even though it has some grassy areas, but these have sharp items from trees that can puncture your kite. Stay on the sand.Riding conditions:
Chop or flat water depending on where in the area you ride and the wind direction direction.Parking and access:
Plenty of parking, but a bit of a walk if you go to the end of Cooper’s island.Amenities:
Bathrooms and hopefully the bar will reopen after the pandemic.Wind directions:
Best for winds around easterlies.Watch out for:
In warmer months watch out for swimmers. Do not ride near the airport landing strip.
Fort St Catherine’s
On the top west end past St George’s, you can find a beach facing east. Just below the newly built St Regis hotel. Choppy waters but when a hurricane swell comes in, the break around one mile off the coast gets going!
Rigging & Launching:
Smaller sandy beach but limited space if the sun chairs are on the beach. Can be gusty depending on wind direction. gets better when out on the water.Riding conditions:
Mostly chop.Parking and access:
Plenty of parking.Amenities:
St Regis hotel has some of the best cocktails on the island and one of the best burgers you can find!Wind directions:
Best for winds around easterlies.Watch out for:
People on the beach, the fort, the old rusty iconic jetty.
Spanish Point
On the north side of the middle of the island is the Spanish Point Boat Club. A popular spot for windsurfers and wingfoilers. An extremely challenging launch depending on wind direction. You get some flat water if you kite on the lee side of the small island (Cobbler Island) outside Spanish point.
Rigging & Launching:
Grass rigging, treacherous launch and depends on direction. Either by the boat club or the park on the other side of the little bay full of boats. All of them full of flagpoles or trees. plenty of sharp rocks. Best if you can launch from a boat..Riding conditions:
Mostly chop. but completely flat water behind the little island outside.Parking and access:
Plenty of parking.Amenities:
Boat club has a full bar. The park has restrooms.Wind directions:
SW-NNEWatch out for:
Launching and landing. If in doubt, don’t go out...
Blue Hole Park
Popular launch with the wingfoilers, this spot is rarely used by kiters, but is definitely one of the less choppy places on the island. It is also one of the few spots that work in straight NE winds.. We are still working out when and what kind of winds work best for different conditions. Beach only there at lower tides, and launch is partly in the water, but with a shallow sandy bottom, it works well.
Rigging & Launching:
Sandy beach, small but enough to lay lines and a few kites are not a problem. The launch will sometimes be in the water although sandy and shallow so no problem. Intermediate-expert launch. On low tide enough beach to launch on the beach. Enough space on lower tides for several kites.Riding conditions:
Mostly one directional chop. relatively small depending on wind direction.Parking and access:
Usually enough on windy daysAmenities:
Nothing, but a gas station across the road with everything.Wind directions:
N-SE,Watch out for:
Some windshadows depending on direction and strength. Watch out for the rocks on the sides when launching.