Flat to moderately choppy, depending on the strength of the wind. Waves are generally small. Low tide: shallow water - best time for learners. A large sandbar extends from the jetty at low tide, the area on the other side can be very flat but also has a current which is very strong (7-8kts!) at low tide.
The beach runs from the sandbar/jetty westward (to the right as you look out over the water), curving around to the south. High tide is extremely tight, must be very skilled at going upwind to get away from the shore break. At low tide plenty of beach and shallow water - best time for learning.
The beach is crowded from the end of June through mid-August - especially on weekends. Often not enough space to launch, especially at high tide. However, the crowds tend to thin after 5 pm, and when the tide goes out there may be enough room for more experienced riders to launch. Setting up near the parking lot is never a good idea: pedestrian traffic year-round.
5/4 wetsuit with boots/gloves/hood in April, 4/3 with boots/gloves/hood through most of May, 3/2 in June, shorty usually fine July/August or stick with 3/2, September/October are fine with 3/2 or 4/3. Off-season riding is possible but water and air temps are dangerously cold - snowkiting on nearby frozen lakes is the better option.
- April - May - June - August - September - October
Wind Type:
- Thermal Winds - Frontal Winds
Best Direction:
- SSW
Main Direction:
- SSE - S - SSW - SW
Average over the course of the season is 2-3 ridable days per week. Usable wind is most often onshore thermals (stronger in springtime, very light in July/August), with some frontal winds on occasion (mainly in the fall). Since the beach curves, NE and SW will be sideshore further west.
I-95 exit #42, take a right, drive a couple miles to the first light, take another right and then LEFT at the very next light. Follow the road straight all the way to the bottom of the hill and turn left at the stop sign just after the "Clam Bake" restaurant, and take the very next right. Follow the road for about 1/2mile until you see the parking lot on the right. Parking is $10 during peak times, usually free after 5:30 pm.
Always free and rarely full parking at boat launch 1/4 mile to the NE at the end of King St.
No formal restrictions at this time, but local kitesurfers have worked hard to develop a good relationship with the community and to get along well with other beach users - and thereby avoid/prevent a ban. It is expected that visitors will do the same. Bottom line: 1. know your limits. 2. be friendly/polite. Local kitesurfers are friendly, so feel free to set up near us and ask questions. Endangered species warning: Piping Plovers occasionally nest on the beach at Pine Point. State law is very protective and carries a fine of up to $20,000.00 for any disturbance of a Piping Plover nest. Look for signs and keep your kite at least 650 feet away from the nest - that's the law. Crowds are worst in July and the first half of August, if you don't have the skills to get upwind immediately after leaving the beach, wait until after 5 pm when most of the tourists have left.
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