• This list is not all inclusive. It lists all the spots were you’ll most likely find other kiters. I have left off a few spots – secret and otherwise – you’ll have to find those on your own.
Johnson’s Beach Sound Side
Wind Directions: SW-ENE, SE is best
General Info: Johnson’s beach is a NPS beach. The park is open year round
but due to an endangered nesting shorebird the park is open to kiting from Sept.
1 to March 31. There are restrooms and showers. Entrance fees are $8 per vehicle
for a week long pass or $25 for an annual one. This spot has earned the nickname
the kiddy pool because of how flat the water is in a Southern wind. Because
the spot is primarily off-shore, it is an advanced riding spot. It is shallow
in places, but there is the risk that you can get blown into the channel or
across to the other side of the sound. The water is free of obstacles with the
exception of one mostly submerged tree. There is plenty of room to launch, but
there are bits of shell and asphalt in the sand making it rough on kites and
feet. You can ride here in a North wind but it is VERY gusty because there is
a short fetch.
Driving Directions:
From the east – take hwy98W until it meets Blue Angel Pkwy. Left on Blue
Angel and then right on Sorrento (at the Wal-Mart). Take Sorrento over the bridge
onto Perdido Key. The road will curve to the right – before it curves
take a left immediately after “The Reef” restaurant and bar.
From the west – Take 182 until the road curves to the left – immediately before it curves – take a right before “The Reef”.
From I-10 – Take the Pine Forest/NAS/297 exit. Take a right on Blue Angel Pkwy. Right on Sorrento (at the Wal-Mart). Take Sorrento over the bridge onto Perdido Key. The road will curve to the right – before it curves take a left immediately after “The Reef” restaurant and bar.
Perdido Key Gulf Side (including Johnson’s)
Wind Directions: W-S-E
General Info: Johnson’s beach is a NPS beach. The park is open year round
but due to an endangered nesting shorebird the park is open to kiting from Sept.
1 to March 31. There are restrooms and showers. Entrance fees are $8 per vehicle
for a week long pass or $25 for an annual one. There are about 8 miles of shoreline
to ride. Look for other kites or park along the side of the road.
Driving Directions: See directions for Johnson’s Beach.
Chicken Bone (sound side)
Wind Directions: NW, WNW, W, SW, S
General Info: Chicken Bone is located on the North side of Pensacola Beach immediately
before the entrance to Fort Pickens Park. There is always plenty of parking
and a short walk to set up. The old parking lot can be found in the water. There
are big chunks (1 to 2 feet around) of asphalt and concrete on the beach and
about 15 ft. into the water. CB is a good spot for a NW/WNW/W though it can
be gusty. There is plenty of room to launch but the beach is rough with bits
of road and shell. There are restrooms nearby. CB can be ridden in off-shore
conditions but this should only be done by advanced riders. From April to September
please do not ride beyond the Fort Pickens Park boundary as there are protected
shorebirds and it is off-limits to kiters.
Driving Directions: In Gulf Breeze follow the signs to Pensacola Beach. Go over
the $1 toll bridge, and at the first light take a right. Go all they way down
until the road is blocked. Parking is on the right.
Chicken Bone (sound side)
Wind Directions: W-S-E
General Info: Chicken Bone Gulf side is on the other side of the road from Chicken
Bone sound side. There are restrooms and a pavilion and life guards in the summer.
From April to September please do not ride beyond the Fort Pickens Park boundary
as there are protected shorebirds and it is off-limits to kiters.
Driving Directions: In Gulf Breeze follow the signs to Pensacola Beach. Go over
the $1 toll bridge, and at the first light take a right. Go all they way down
until the road is blocked. Parking is on the left.
The Cross
Wind Directions: W-S-E
General Info: The cross is marked by a big white cross in one of the larger
dunes.
Driving Directions: In Gulf Breeze follow the signs to Pensacola Beach. Go over
the $1 toll bridge, and at the first light take a right. Look for the cross
on the left.
Pensacola Pier
Wind Directions: W-S-E
General Info: The pier is nice in that it’s the closest gulf side spot
on Pensacola beach. There are bars and restaurants within walking distance.
Sometimes parking can be scarce.
Driving Directions: In Gulf Breeze follow the signs to Pensacola Beach. Go over
the $1 toll bridge, and at the first light take a right. Look for the pier on
the left.
17th Ave
Wind Directions: W-S-E
General Info: 17th Ave started off as a surfing spot. Respect the surfers and
stay out of the way. Gulf side – so waves and stuff.
Driving Directions: In Gulf Breeze follow the signs to Pensacola Beach. Go over
the $1 toll bridge, and at the first light keep going straight. The road is
on the right across from a green house with a green roof.
Kite Beach
Wind Directions: W-S-E
General Info: Kite beach is a gulf side spot and as far east as you can kite
on Pensacola Beach and not be in the NPS national seashore. We kite here more
in the summer time because it is lightly populated. Beware of men in thongs.
Driving Directions: In Gulf Breeze follow the signs to Pensacola Beach. Go over
the $1 toll bridge, and at the first light keep going straight. Take the road
all the way until the road is blocked. Make a u-turn and park.
Big Sabine
Wind Directions: ENE – S, best is SE/SSE
General Info: Big Sabine is a sound side spot across from Kite Beach. It offers
nice coves and some small islands. It is shallow and somewhat tidal. It is mostly
used in E wind and can be a beginner spot because of the coves downwind. It
is also an off-shore spot for the more advanced riders. There might be a kicker
or slider there. It is somewhat of a hike over the dunes to get there. There
is plenty of open beach to setup and launch and the sand is soft.
Driving Directions: In Gulf Breeze follow the signs to Pensacola Beach. Go over
the $1 toll bridge, and at the first light keep going straight. Take the road
all the way until the road is blocked. Make a u-turn and park.
Quiet Water
Wind Directions: N, NE, ENE, E
General Info: Quiet water is a east facing beach. This makes it good for N winds
with a bit of east in them. There isn’t a lot of room to launch and there
is a short wooden fence to watch out for. There don’t appear to be any
obstacles in the water. There are pavilions downwind. This spot is almost always
gusty in N/NE due to the short fetch.
Driving Directions: In Gulf Breeze follow the signs to Pensacola Beach. Go over
the $1 toll bridge, make the first u-turn, drive past the pavilions and park
in the gravel/dirt parking lot. If you go past the tolls like you’re heading
back to Gulf Breeze then you’ve gone too far.