CS2027 dates

Kite spot on water · United States

Driftwood

Riders have kited it in SE.

Show on the map48.7800, -122.5627
Works in
SE
Nearest airport
BLIBellingham International Airport, 2 km

Forecast and webcams

Before you go

Forecasts often disagree. When Windguru, ALADIN and Windy agree, it is worth going.

Tips for this spot

  • Offshore wind carries you away from land. Do not ride it without a rescue boat.
  • When a storm is coming, get out of the water and land the kite at once. Gusts before a storm are violent and a kite overhead is the highest point around.
  • New spot: ask locals about shallows, currents and where people launch.

The spot on video

Driftwood on video

Riders' footage from YouTube. It only loads when you click.

Video from the community map

On site

Wind and riding area

NNNENEENEEESESESSESSSWSWWSWWWNWNWNNWNESW

worksno reports

Direction the wind blows from. Based on riders' experience, not a forecast.

From riders

What you need to know

Watch out for

  • Crossing the Nooksack River (approx. 100 ft wide, people under 6 ft will have to swim, kite will likely get wet) and climbing over logs.community map

Where to launch

  • Best launch at 3-7 ft tide; at 9 ft, pre-rigged lines and an assistant are required. At 8 ft, the launch area is ankle-deep in water.community map
  • Rig the kite anywhere you can find a patch of dry land past the Nooksack River.community map

Parking

  • Parking at the trailhead (at the end of Island View Dr. by the concrete barriers); if full, park further away and walk in.capacity: limited · community map

Getting there

  • Pass the barriers, walk down the trail, wade across a shallow creek, climb over logs, and cross the Nooksack River (approx. 100 ft; riders under 6 ft will have to swim).community map
  • Follow Marine Dr north from Locust, turn left onto Griffith Ave, then right onto Island View Dr up to the concrete barriers.community map
  • Access is also possible from Locust.community map

Rules and respect

  • Park considerately, stay off private lawns, do not block traffic, and keep the area clean to preserve access.community map

Conditions

  • Nooksack River delta, strong and steady SE wind, shallow water for miles.community map

Riders' tips

  • Put on your wetsuit before crossing the Nooksack River and do not carry all your kites across.community map
  • The Locust wind sensor is very close to the Driftwood launch.community map

Facilities

  • Unmaintained access, no restrooms or facilities.community map
In riders' own words
  • „SE winds are much steadier and stronger here than at Locust...“
  • „Best launching conditions are at tides 3 to 7 ft.... although you can launch even at 9ft if you pre-rig your lines on your kite, and have a friend“
  • „setup your kite wherever you can find some dry ground (if there is any).“
  • „Parking here is somewhat limited at the trail head, so PLEASE park considerately. If the parking lot area is full, go find another parking spot“
  • „1. North on Marine Dr from Locust 2. Left on Griffith Ave 3. Right on Island View Dr. 4. The road dead ends at some concrete barriers.“
  • „Walk through the barriers, down the trail, wade through the shallow stream, climb over all the logs, swim across the Nooksack river“
  • „Essentially Driftwood is just the delta of the Nooksack river.. and can be accessed from Locust..“
  • „I am 6ft tall.. and did not have to swim... shorter people would be swimming though... it is all of 100ft though...“
  • „(Be careful not to park on people's lawns, or block the flow of traffic)“
  • „Strong steady winds.. (the video is in 25mph+) shallow water for literally miles.....“
  • „not a park.. no bathrooms.. no facilities...“
  • „YES you should get suited before you cross the river... YES, there is a good chance your kite will get wet on the crossing....“
  • „The Locust sensor is actually very close to the Driftwood Launch...“

Wind by month

When it blows

Average wind speed 10 m above ground from NASA POWER (MERRA-2, 2001–2025). The model works on a grid of roughly 50 km; on hills and by the water the wind is often stronger and gustier.

windiest monthsaverage wind in knots, NASA POWER; below the month in m/s

Values by month
January4.8 knots · 2.5 m/s
February4.5 knots · 2.3 m/s
March4.4 knots · 2.3 m/s
April3.8 knots · 2.0 m/s
May3.2 knots · 1.6 m/s
June3.1 knots · 1.6 m/s
July2.8 knots · 1.4 m/s
August2.7 knots · 1.4 m/s
September3.0 knots · 1.5 m/s
October3.8 knots · 2.0 m/s
November4.6 knots · 2.4 m/s
December4.9 knots · 2.5 m/s

Nearby

More spots within 60 km

Been there?

Add what you know

Parking changed, a new ban, a new obstacle in the water? Tell us, we will check it and update the page.

Sources: Community map “USA NW Kite Spots” (Google My Maps). Wind NASA POWER, airports OurAirports, photos Wikimedia Commons (author and licence with each photo). As of 17 October 2026. These are riders' reports; local rules change, so look around before you ride and follow local signs.

A week on the water

Kite safari in the Red Sea

8 days on a yacht from Hurghada to the islands of the northern Red Sea. Next departure 7-14 November 2026, the 2027 dates are coming soon.

See the safari

The safari is organised by Mohamed of Paradise Kitesurf Red Sea. I've known him for years and we work together.