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Cairns Kiteboarding Locations - Yorkeys Knob
Figure 1: Yorkeys Knob launch area looking South to Creek Mouth
Figure 2: Yorkeys Knob Creek Mouth area, looking East.
Riding Information and safety tips (thanks to Jeffro & Chris)
The spot is best in SSE to E winds. It gets up to 30 kites on a busy weekend day. Kiterite have a shop on Varley St in Yorkeys Knob and run lessons most days just north of the creek-mouth in the sheltered shallow flat water. The creek mouth has typically stronger wind than right out front of the rigging area.
There an unspoken agreement with the clubbies not to kite north of the bottom of the photo in Figure 1, because this is the section most used by swimmers. The wind gets patchy and turbulent closer to the Knob and there’s a rocky groin that should be avoided. If you crash and have to self-rescue around there you’ll end up on the rocks or around the corner in croc-infested Half-Moon Bay.
Respect the locals and the visitors - families with kids, dog walkers, and potentially dazed tourists use the beach and may not know about the dangers associated with power kites. Freshwater taps are near the car park but toilets are right at the north end of the beach.
The best estimate of the wind at Yorkeys Knob is to split the difference between the readings at Cairns airport and Green Island. Both sites update every 30min.
The spot has different characteristics at different stages of the tide. Low tides produce the most flat water near the creek mouth, while higher tides produce the better waves on the outer sand bars. Check the tides here.
There are several dangerous marine animals in the area to be aware of. Box Jellyfish (both the larger Chironex and smaller Irukandji) are present in these waters especially from October to May (although Irikandji can potentially be found all year round). They don't like rough water and waves very much, but they do like to shelter in the mangrove creeks, so the creek mouth area has the highest jellyfish risk. A sting from Chironex is potentially fatal and a sting from Irukandji will likely put you in hospital for 48 hours on IV morphine, so it is wise to wear a full length lycra suit under your boardies and harness during the October to May period. They come in a range of fetching colours with hot pink being particularly popular amongst the local crew, especially on funky-friday.
Saltwater crocodiles are found in the area, and like the jellyfish, they tend to prefer the sheltered creeks rather than the open beaches. They have not taken anyone in the Cairns area for a while, and they are not likely to make a grab at a speeding kiteboarder, but someone swimming in the creek area is definitely at higher risk than someone riding a board. Bottom line is - don't spend a lot of time drifting around in the water.
Stingrays are also likely to be found in the creek mouth and over the shallow sand flats. They will only sting you if you step directly on to them. So, if you are doing a lot of walking in shallow water while kiting, then do the stingray shuffle - keeping the feet close to the bottom, rather than stomping around. Also making a bit of a commotion in the water before touching the bottom is a good idea - the ray will sense the vibrations and swim away before your foot lands on it.
WEATHER
Satellite Pictures Local Waters Forecast Outer Reef Windspeed Forecast
