Florida Keys

utahboy · Since 10 Jul 2005 16 Posts Salt Lake City

Been doing the winter kiting in Baja, and now thinking about a winter multi-family kite trip to the Keys (kiting for the parents, windsurfing for the kids). Intermediate kiters. Any advice on good keys, beaches, places to stay? We have never been there and the amount of info on the net is daunting. It would be good to get recommendations from kiters rather than the ads.... thanks

Scriffler · Since 03 Jul 2005 581 Posts LYLE Addicted

I went to the Keys one time for a week and got no wind. I still windsurfed at the time but it was glassy the whole time. I would say for a family vacation it would be great, but not if the whole family plans on participating in any type of windsport. I was there in February, but locals said it is windy on average 1-2 days a week. Every time I have been to Baja it has been windy almost the whole time.

blancoh2o · Since 15 Mar 2005 1153 Posts Oregon Phishy

The Keys offer a ton of great options. I used to live in So. Florida prior to the kiting evolution, but have been back and have had great kiting days there. I would suggest that if you plan on kiting in Florida, do not lock yourself into the Keys. The Keys can be windy, however they might be dead calm for a week straight. If you want to kite in Florida plan on being mobile.
Deffinately visit the Keys for awesome diving, relaxing, fishing and partying. If the wind comes up...That is a huge bonus.
The wind is pretty predictable throughout the state and you can drive anywhere with a days drive. The beaches on the East coast are amazing! You can kite anywhere from Miami all the way to the Georgia border. Take your pager and have at it.

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6548 Posts Couve / Hood Site Lackey

Islamorada might have the best kiteboarding in the country, but you need a boat to really take advantage of it. There are no real "beaches" on Islamorada, so launching is a bit tough without a boat. If you have a boat you can lit on big kites when its only blowing 10-12mph. Reason is the water is soooo flat and wind soooo steady, you just park the kite and bear off a bit build up as much speed as you want, and then start edging into the butter. If you don't have to focus too hard on staying upwind when its light you will have much more fun.

There are also a bunch of "slicks" on the Florida bay side that you can find if you got a boat. The water is so flat and wind so steady it really blows your mind.

Never kited on mainland Florida, but its supposed to be great when its going. Keys goes more often though is what I hear.