Plan Your Next Adventure - Islamorada Kiteboarding
Most extreme water sport aficionados are already familiar with Kiteboarding in Islamorada [http://www.othersideboardsports.com/kiteboarding-lessons-rentals.html]. For those of you who are not, here's an insider's guide.
To most folks's surprise, Islamorada has very few beaches. The biggest challenge in Islamorada is the access points. With Easterly and Southerly winds (which is the areas predominant wind directions), riders have two options for kiteboarding launch areas.
The 1st is Whale Harbor at MM84 Oceanside with a great northeast to south breeze. Riders must pay $10 per day with season passes are available. This is a very tough launch so please no beginners or newbies. This particular launch area is tiny Launching is one at a time, and there's no down-wind area to come in if the wind shuts off or for amateur kiteboarders.
In order launch, the rider will stand in the water while someone holds the kite on shore. There is no room for error here. Once you launch your kite your golden. The riding area opens up with plenty of room. It is Islamorada kiteboarding at it's finest! Word to the wise, stay away from the bridge since the current is very strong.
The second option for Islamorada kiteboarding in the vicinity is Annes Beach, located at the very southern tip of the hamlet of Islamorada. Annes Beach is open to the public and is the only natural beach in Islamorada.
The north entrance to the park has bathrooms and showers, but Islamorada kiteboarders should use the second entrance. The best wind direction here is northeast to southwest. There is a little more area here for rigging and launching, particularly with a low tides The riding area is nice and shallow.
Amateur kiteboarders will enjoy a little bit of a downwind reach. Our kiteboarding instructors suggest that beginners walk out to the furthest upwind corner to enjoy a longer downwind reach. Avoid the bridge at the farthest south corner, as the deep water and strong current does not agree with most kiteboarders.
The ground here is a mix of sand, grass and a little bit of soft mud. Booties aren't required, but suggested. When you're Islamorada kiteboarding, please be conscious of the flat fisherman. There's lots of water for everyone to enjoy, but remember that when the kiteboarders are out having a good time, fishing guides are out making their living giving tours. Be deferential and avoid their boats.
Although the sport of kiteboarding is sweeping the Florida Keys and Islamorada, there will always be more fisherman, so be respectful.
Enjoy - the number one place to kiteboard hands down!
To most folks's surprise, Islamorada has very few beaches. The biggest challenge in Islamorada is the access points. With Easterly and Southerly winds (which is the areas predominant wind directions), riders have two options for kiteboarding launch areas.
The 1st is Whale Harbor at MM84 Oceanside with a great northeast to south breeze. Riders must pay $10 per day with season passes are available. This is a very tough launch so please no beginners or newbies. This particular launch area is tiny Launching is one at a time, and there's no down-wind area to come in if the wind shuts off or for amateur kiteboarders.
In order launch, the rider will stand in the water while someone holds the kite on shore. There is no room for error here. Once you launch your kite your golden. The riding area opens up with plenty of room. It is Islamorada kiteboarding at it's finest! Word to the wise, stay away from the bridge since the current is very strong.
The second option for Islamorada kiteboarding in the vicinity is Annes Beach, located at the very southern tip of the hamlet of Islamorada. Annes Beach is open to the public and is the only natural beach in Islamorada.
The north entrance to the park has bathrooms and showers, but Islamorada kiteboarders should use the second entrance. The best wind direction here is northeast to southwest. There is a little more area here for rigging and launching, particularly with a low tides The riding area is nice and shallow.
Amateur kiteboarders will enjoy a little bit of a downwind reach. Our kiteboarding instructors suggest that beginners walk out to the furthest upwind corner to enjoy a longer downwind reach. Avoid the bridge at the farthest south corner, as the deep water and strong current does not agree with most kiteboarders.
The ground here is a mix of sand, grass and a little bit of soft mud. Booties aren't required, but suggested. When you're Islamorada kiteboarding, please be conscious of the flat fisherman. There's lots of water for everyone to enjoy, but remember that when the kiteboarders are out having a good time, fishing guides are out making their living giving tours. Be deferential and avoid their boats.
Although the sport of kiteboarding is sweeping the Florida Keys and Islamorada, there will always be more fisherman, so be respectful.
Enjoy - the number one place to kiteboard hands down!
