Florida is my favorite winter kiteboarding destination. Many will travel to South America chasing warm winds, blue waters, and endless kitesurfing. It’s funny because you can find conditions to suit any style of kiteboarding, warm waters, and consistent winds right in your backyard. Florida boats thousands of miles of coastline, hundreds of kiteboarding beaches, and all the amenities of home.

The Florida Keys are like visiting a tropical island. One that you can technically drive to! The kitesurfing here is amazing and the water is out of this world. It's one of only a few places in the USA where you can find water this beautiful.

There are a handful of kiteboarding beaches to be found here. Some have easy access while others take a little more work. Curry Hammock is one of the most convenient kite destinations in all of the Florida Keys.

Kitesurfing in Marathon is amazing, possibly the best in the Florida Keys. Beach access for kitesurfing in the Keys is limited to a few locations and people with boats. The launch areas can be small and require a drift launch. Curry Hammock has a large grass staging area where multiple kiters can rig up, launch, and land their kites. The amenities here are useful.

There is a public bathroom, a beach shower, shade, and a playground for the family. You won’t find a more convenient launch area in Marathon or the rest of the Keys. It's the best place to keep your gear clean and maintained. You don’t have to worry about sand or clay sticking to your kite. With the beach shower, you can rinse off all your gear. The other kite beaches often require a drift launch and have a small beach. They also often have wet clay that sticks to your kite. It’s difficult packing kites away clean and dry.

The riding area here is massive and forgiving. In front of the launch area, you will find a large riding area and some boat channels. This is where you will want to wing foil and kitefoil. The large area in front of the park can vary from ankle to waist deep depending on the tide. It’s relatively flat water and beginner-friendly. Hydrofoiling with a kite or a wing foil is possible in the marked boat channels.

To the north of the main area, you will find one of the largest flat spots accessible from land. The water here is shallow, there is a large sandbar that keeps the water flat. You can also do a bit of exploring and ride up the coastline here for some scenic views. Sometimes, there will be small wave kickers along the sandbar. You can use these to jump or pop off for more air or even goof around with a kitesurfboard.

Kiteboarding at Curry Hammock works best on east winds. You need at least 70º east-north-east to start. East winds, south winds, and southwest winds all work well here. Anything with too much north wind is going to be gusty. It is possible to ride but it’s not enjoyable.

 South winds in the Florida Keys are less common but they are spectacular. During the prime wind season, you will find more north and easterly winds. This is ideal for sailing upwind to the sandbar area or downwinders to Sombrero Beach. Be prepared to self-rescue if you attempt this downwinder. It’s not challenging but there are no beach access points to land a kite.

 
With an east wind, you can sail along the coast and enjoy the views. The nature here is beautiful and there is a lot of wildlife. It’s not uncommon to see rays jumping from the water or small sharks and fish or even sometimes manatees in the shallows. The coast has lush vegetation, palm trees, and scenic nature.

If Curry Hammock is too gusty, you can drive along the keys to find better wind. Sometimes at Vetrans park or Anne's beach. There are times when the wind is strong further out than near the beach. You can check out the map and make the call based on the wind direction that day. Good wind is sometimes just a short drive or a tack away.

There is a small parking lot that can fill up quickly on a windy. There is also some oversized parking for larger vehicles and RVs. We recommend arriving early if you don’t want to get turned away. Parking is limited here. This means there will never be too many kiteboarders on the water.

You can set up your kite in the grass and launch there. There is also a small beach dedicated to launching and landing. Don’t set up anywhere else. If the tide is high, launching from the grass is best.

Pay attention to the tides. High tide can be choppy and low tide can be too shallow. It is possible to kite in the deeper areas away from the shore but you must go out a good distance. With the limited parking, this location is never too busy. One of the best reasons to kite here is how much space you will have to yourself.

Even if the entire beach was kitesurfers, you can easily sail upwind to the flats for a private session. There is camping here too. Be mindful, that this campground fills up months in advance. If you are lucky enough to get a site, there is nothing better than waking up, walking to the beach, and getting a dawn session before the other kiters arrive when the park opens.

Kiteboarding here is a privilege, not a right. Be respectful of the park rules and beachgoers. There are signs with the rules marked on the beach. Only set up in the designated launching area.

Never fly your kite over the campground. If you can’t get upwind, the water here is shallow. Self-rescue and walk back. Give kayaks and swimmers the right of way. Keep a distance of 300 feet from them and the shore. Space is limited here so keep your kites together and wrap up your lines. Parking is also limited here so be sure to arrive early. There are Portuguese man o’ wars here. Watch out for them! The bottom here is sea grass with shells and rocks. Booties are recommended if you must walk back in

• Only set up in designated areas.
• Stay 300 feet away from shore.
• Stay 300 feet away from swimmers and kayaks.
• Never fly your kite over the campground or the beach.
• Beach goers. Give people the right of way.
• Beach goers. Give people the right of way.
• Wrap your lines when the kite isn't being used.
• Portuguese man o’ wars.
• Shells and sharp objects on the bottom. Wear booties.

Elite Watersports has served the Tampa and St Petersburg area for years. They offer kiteboarding and wingsurfing lessons. They also have a retail shop equpit with all of the latest kitesurfing gear. 

If you need help give us a call. .
(727)-800-2202