CS2027 dates

Kite spot on water · United States

Hood Canal Bridge

Riders have kited it in N, SSE, S, SW, NW. Best in S, SW.

Show on the map47.8685, -122.6349
Works in
N, SSE, S, SW, NW
Best
S, SW
Nearest airport
PAESeattle Paine Field International Airport, 27 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.

On site

Wind and riding area

NNNENEENEEESESESSESSSWSWWSWWWNWNWNNWNESW

bestworksno reports

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

Pparking

From riders

What you need to know

Who it suits
Intermediate, or advanced if the wind is gusty.

Watch out for

  • Tidal currents significantly affect your ability to ride upwind.community map

Where to launch

  • Launch is at Shine Tidelands State Park; on NW wind, walk north to the gap between the mainland and Hood Head island.community map

Parking

  • Car park about 300 m from the spot.OpenStreetMap
  • Good parking at the spot.community map

Getting there

  • After crossing the bridge, take the first right, then the first right again, and keep left at the fork.community map

Rules and respect

  • Keep at least 150 feet away from the bridge (WSDOT regulation).community map

Conditions

  • Flat water in S winds thanks to the bridge, and in N winds thanks to the spit by Hood Head island.community map

Riders' tips

  • Check the Hood Canal Bridge wind sensor and watch the tides.community map

Facilities

  • No toilets, shelter, shops, or schools nearby.community map
In riders' own words
  • „Look for SSE (S or SW are best but more rare) wind and pay attention to tides. ... On a NW wind walk North“
  • „Skill Level: Intermediate or advanced if winds are gusty.“
  • „The Launch is called Shine Tidelands State Park. ... On a NW wind walk North to the area between land and Hood Head island.“
  • „Facilities: Good parking.“
  • „OpenStreetMap way/1494385862“
  • „Take the first right after you cross the bridge. Then again take the first right and stay to the left at the fork.“
  • „Ebb or Flood currents will either help or hurt your ability to stay up wind.“
  • „Restrictions: Maintain a minimum of 150 feet from the bridge per WSDOT.“
  • „The bridge stops the waves on south winds; flat water. The strip of land attached to Hood Head island stops waves on north winds; flat water“
  • „No restrooms or shelter nearby. Shops/Schools: N/A“
  • „Check the Hood Canal Bridge wind sensor. Look for SSE (S or SW are best but more rare) wind and pay attention to tides.“

Photos from the area

Hood Head from Shine Tidelands
Hood Head from Shine Tidelands · 125 m from the spot
ECTran71, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Bywater bay 2016-09 1778
Bywater bay 2016-09 1778 · 1196 m from the spot
Chris Light, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Distant View 2016-10-10 1770
Distant View 2016-10-10 1770 · 1196 m from the spot
Chris Light, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

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
January4.3 knots · 2.2 m/s
February3.9 knots · 2.0 m/s
March4.1 knots · 2.1 m/s
April3.5 knots · 1.8 m/s
May2.8 knots · 1.4 m/s
June2.5 knots · 1.3 m/s
July2.4 knots · 1.2 m/s
August2.4 knots · 1.2 m/s
September2.8 knots · 1.4 m/s
October3.5 knots · 1.8 m/s
November4.4 knots · 2.3 m/s
December4.5 knots · 2.3 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.