Anyone kite in Fla Keys wintertime?

flyin_dutchman · Since 12 Dec 2008 106 Posts LandLocked Stoked

Looking to roadtrip this winter from OKC. Does anyone have any personal experience of where/when to go? Looking for flats and waves Thumb's Up

Chong · Since 21 Oct 2009 27 Posts LA/FL/MX

many good places; check www.fksa.org

EdG · Since 19 Dec 2005 425 Posts Just a Kook that's Obsessed

Did you leave PDX? Maybe Gman can help out since he goes to FL often.

flyin_dutchman · Since 12 Dec 2008 106 Posts LandLocked Stoked

Thanks for the link Chong

Ed- Think you got the wrong guy (i'm in OKC), but maybe Gman will give his 2 cents? Thanks

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4910 Posts Portland Unstrapped

winter is good - don't get that far south much but have had some good trips - like this area:

http://www.bahiahondapark.com/our-activities.html

not sure if kiting is off limits or not anymore (check )

WINDUDE · Since 10 Jun 2010 558 Posts GORGE! Addicted

check out "the kitehouse", nick is the guys name, he does charters down in key west, takes you to some sick spots

http://www.thekitehouse.com/key_west.php

DesertWinds · Since 01 May 2009 80 Posts

Key West rocks but better yet (avoid Nassau) check out some of Bahama's outer islands Wink

boardrider · Since 05 Apr 2006 1034 Posts Ventura, CA XTreme Poster

I had a good trip a few years ago in the spring

Many pics & short write up here:
http://nwkite.com/forums/t-7912-0-asc-0.html

If you are going for white pristine sand beaches, Florida Keys is not the place IMO.. Some of the beaches ARE very nice tho. Many of the kiting areas have a whitish gray mucky bottom - others are more sandy. I hear there are pretty cool excursions via boat to 'the flats'. Snokeling @ great barrier reef was superb.

I really enjoyed Key West.

arkay · Since 06 Jun 2008 192 Posts Manzo/Hillsburrito Stoked

I'm headed to Orlando with the kids, but flights are cheaper a few days earlier... so... I was planning to hit either Coco beach, below cape canaveral, or tampa. From what painful research I've done it looks like coco beach is the place to go from Orlando. Coco is shallow and flat water, but I can't imagine it's a destination like the keys.

BigR · Since 05 Jul 2005 372 Posts White Salmon Obsessed

beaches and the keys are an oxymoron.

the rest of FL and wide sandy beaches are spot on.

that said, it's usually warmer and windier in the keys, but you need a boat and you are mostly in muck....

goiner · Since 26 Aug 2006 89 Posts

I have kited 23rd on south beach, crandon, hobie, mattheson-hammock and islamorada.
All but South Beach are pretty flat, shallow water.
Crandon needs an IKO card, insurance from IKO and a daily fee.
It is a good spot though.
Mattheson is a launch from the parking lot or just in the water.
Islamorada is great. You launch at the edge of a parking lot, but have miles of flat open water and hot water at that.

My kid has ridden further south and is down there now.
If you head up to 80th or jupiter, there are better waves, but I haven't been there.
Lots of people on this forum know.

Good luck.
I will be there in November 5-14th.
Bob

Burny · Since 05 Feb 2008 12 Posts

I was in Isla Morada Key last March. Otherside Kiteboarding totally hooked me up with gear and know where the spots are...so check them out online. I went to Anne's Beach (south of isla morada 10 minutes) which had great flats...unfortunately not much wind (locals said it was not a good season). However, maybe this year will be better...If it has wind you'll have a blast..

tonyb · Tue Oct 12, 10 8:02 pm

Be careful in the winter, looks like it can be a little dangerous: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sdoQ9d-w4Y

Tony

lineman · Since 05 Feb 2009 170 Posts Stoked

The Keys are great, no waves though, you'll have to go north to Lauderdale to hit waves.
Noel at Otherside can hook you up in Islamorada, Smathers Beach in Key West or you can charter a boat to the flats thru Kitehouse.
Bahia Honda is a great spot in Marathon.
Last year sucked but it has already been rockin there recently, looks like it's going be a great year.

aaronosters · Since 22 Oct 2010 1 Posts Middle Keys New Member

Check out Florida Keys Kiteboarding LLC at Hawks Cay Resort and Marina for boat trips to the grass flats and sand bars at hawkscay.com . Most of the biggest beaches in the Florida Keys are right in The Middle Keys. Look for Cocoplum Beach, Curry Hammock State Park, and Sombrero Beach in Marathon. Also check out Bahia Honda State Park farther south from Marathon. Don't let anybody tell you that there are no good beaches for kiteboarding in The Florida Keys, they are here in The Middle Keys!!!!!
When the wind comes out of the North it's time for a boat trip to grass flats or sand bars because there are very few safe launches on the north side of The Florida Keys. We have some great spots out there!!!!
Check this sweet site out for great information on Kiteboarding spots in Florida, http://www.kiteboardingflorida.com/
Please don't hesitate to call or email Florida Keys Kiteboarding LLC with any Florida Keys Kiteboarding questions you may have, ask for Aaron. 305-942-9635 aaronosters@gmail.com.

Have a great day and thank you for reading this post!!!!

Aaron