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Magnetic Island Kiteboarding Locations - Horseshoe Bay
Current Kiting Conditions and Weather forecast - click here
Riding Information and safety tips
Horseshoe Bay is the spot on Magnetic Island for the summer NNE, N and NNW winds. The beach here is sandy and the only reef is right up the east end of the bay. In terms of riding conditions, its generally onshore and choppy, but in summer it can still be a fun place to kite the northerlies when everywhere else is offshore. We have ridden the bay in some cyclonic northerlies 35-40knots and it is pretty wild at those times.
Cyclone Olga January 2010.
Respect the locals and the visitors - families with kids, horse riders, dog walkers, and potentially dazed tourists use the beach and may not know about the dangers associated with power kites.
Predicting the northerly wind at Horseshoe Bay can be a bit tricky, the AIMS weather station is 10km from the site but on the lee side of the Island, and updates every 6 hours. The site at Townsville airport (10km away) updates every 30min but the wind strengths are usually lower.
In NNE and N winds, rig and launch at the end of the esplanade, then kite out into the bay to get some space.
In NNW winds, you can also go up the back roads to the western end of the beach, walk over the dune, and launch from there.
Map of Horseshoe Bay showing Kiting Locations in Northerly winds
You need tide lower than 2.2m to have enough beach to launch, and generally the lower the tide the better at Horseshoe Bay, there is no real lower limit here. Check the tides before you come.
There is a freshwater tap at the Esplanade rigging area, but the nearest toilets are up the other end of the road past the shops. Nearest bar, accommodation and other essential facilities are located at the Bungalow Bay backpacker resort located a few 100m back from the beach. You can get mobile phone reception at the beach.
Weather Links
Current Windspeeds in Cleveland Bay
Buoyweather Magnetic Island Windspeed Forecast
Buoyweather Outer Reef Windspeed Forecast
For more info contact us by phone or email.