The beach at Nelly Bay needs 1.3m of water to cover the reef flat. It has flat to choppy water over the reef flat, and larger waves outside the reef. There is a flat water section close to the harbour at the northern end. The reef flat is quite sharp - booties are advised if kiting between 1.3m and 1.7m tide.
Launch and setup area is the beach near the OLD council helipad about halfway along the beach. This area is clear of trees, and has enough space to safely launch and land. Beware the powerlines about 100m downwind of the launch spot. Beginners should be careful of coming in downwind of the launch spot (ie toward the X-base backbacker resort), as there are trees and a road right along the beach here, and the hill behind the beach tends to weaken the wind. Walk upwind as far as possible from the launch site to get a good first run out across the reef flat, then work upwind into the northern end of the bay to ride. The beach sand is nice and clean.
Summer: day time temp 30-35°C. Water temp 29°C. Wear a lyrca suit or rash vest with long sleeves to protect against jellyfish stings, and sunburn. Winter: day time temp 22-27°C. Water temp 22°C. Short wetsuit is comfortable.
Best wind at this Nelly Bay spot is ENE, which usually occurs in the afternoon from 2pm till dark when the trade winds are blowing, any time of year. The morning SE wind is also a good direction onto the beach. Best winds are usually in the autumn, winter, and spring months from April through to September. In general the wind is 15-20 knots on an average day, and 20-25 knots on a good day. Winds above 30 knots occur only a few times each year. In the summer, if the wind is Northerly, then go to Horseshoe Bay instead. Sideshore: NNE and SSW.
From the Townsville Aiport catch a taxi or shuttle bus to the ferry terminal, then take the ferry to Magnetic island (25mins). You can walk to the Nelly Bay spot from the ferry terminal in about 15 min, or catch the island bus service and it will drop you right there.
No special rules or regulations as yet. Beware of the emergency helicopter coming in to the new helipad on the harbour breakwater. Beware of the ferries coming and going from the terminal. Locals, tourists, and dog walkers use the beach, so be courteous to other beach users.
)
)
)
)
)
