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Boulder Bank kitesurf, wingfoil and windsurf spot

New Zealand · Nelson

Spot currently openIntermediate level -41.21 | 173.32

Overview

Boulder Bank is a unique kitesurf spot located in Nelson Bay, on the north coast of the South Island. The Boulder Bank is a remarkable geological formation: a 13 km long natural boulder bar that protects Nelson Harbor from the open sea. It is one of the most iconic spots in the Nelson region for kitesurfing. The spot benefits from northeast thermal winds that develop in summer (Tasman Bay sea breeze), as well as frequent northwest synoptic winds in the area. The Boulder Bank creates a venturi effect that accelerates the wind, offering conditions often windier than on land. On the harbor side, the water is flat and sheltered; on the sea side, swell and chop are more present. Sailing along the Boulder Bank offers varied conditions: flat water on the harbor side for freestyle and foil, or waves on the sea side for wave-riding. Tides significantly change the rideable area. The bottom is made of characteristic round boulders. Watch out for variable depth and currents at the harbor entrance (The Cut). Spot recommended for intermediate to advanced riders. Access can be via the Boulder Bank road or by boat. The Nelson kite community is active and welcoming.

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Spot forecast for Boulder Bank

Sunrise 06:30 · Sunset 19:52

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< 7 kn7–12 kn13–20 kn21–30 kn31–40 kn41+ kn Gusts Your minimum: 7 kn

Forecasts provided by Open-Meteo

Swell and waves

Swell and tides over 8 days. Premium members see the swell and tides over 8 days. Without a subscription: 5 days.

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Wave height: < 0.5 m 0.5–1 m 1–2 m 2–3 m ≥ 3 m

Swell data by Open-Meteo Marine

Tides

Heights above lowest astronomical tide, in the spot's local time. Computed 2.4 km from the spot.

6:0012:0018:006:0012:0018:006:0012:0018:006:0012:0018:006:0012:0018:00Tue 20Wed 21Thu 22Fri 23Sat 24 Now05:142.8 m11:331.5 m17:552.9 m00:221.4 m06:362.9 m12:461.4 m19:043.1 m01:231.3 m07:373 m13:431.3 m19:573.3 m02:121 m08:263.3 m14:311 m20:433.5 m02:540.8 m09:093.5 m15:120.8 m21:243.7 m
  • Tuesday 20 October High tide · 2.8 m Low tide · 1.5 m High tide · 2.9 m
  • Wednesday 21 October Low tide · 1.4 m High tide · 2.9 m Low tide · 1.4 m High tide · 3.1 m
  • Thursday 22 October Low tide · 1.3 m High tide · 3 m Low tide · 1.3 m High tide · 3.3 m
  • Friday 23 October Low tide · 1 m High tide · 3.3 m Low tide · 1 m High tide · 3.5 m
  • Saturday 24 October Low tide · 0.8 m High tide · 3.5 m Low tide · 0.8 m High tide · 3.7 m

Boulder Bank: when to go?

Rideable days and hours computed for a minimum wind of 7 knots · log in to set your own (foil, twin-tip…)

Season · peak

239h

in September · 25.5 rideable days

The season runs from September to March, peaking in September: 22 rideable days a month and 239 hours of usable wind, at 19 °C. The low point is July, at 8 days.

Rideable days per month

0 10 20 30 January: 20 rideable days J February: 19.5 rideable days F March: 21.5 rideable days M April: 16 rideable days A May: 15 rideable days M June: 12.5 rideable days J July: 8 rideable days8 d J August: 15 rideable days A September: 25.5 rideable days25.5 d S October: 23.5 rideable days O November: 23 rideable days N December: 24 rideable days D 0 10 20 30 January: 20 rideable days J February: 19.5 rideable days F March: 21.5 rideable days M April: 16 rideable days A May: 15 rideable days M June: 12.5 rideable days J July: 8 rideable days8 d J August: 15 rideable days A September: 25.5 rideable days25.5 d S October: 23.5 rideable days O November: 23 rideable days N December: 24 rideable days D

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 70%13-20 knots · 29%21-30 knots · 1%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 70% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is July, at 12 °C. The wettest month is June, with 207 mm.

Monthly averages: Boulder Bank
Monthly averages — Boulder Bank — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
Month Rideable days Usable wind Temperature Rain
January 20.0 167 h 21 °C 68 mm
February 19.5 149 h 21 °C 72 mm
March 21.5 178 h 20 °C 32 mm
April 16.0 128 h 18 °C 186 mm
May 15.0 111 h 15 °C 117 mm
June 12.5 78 h 13 °C 207 mm
July 8.0 71 h 12 °C 177 mm
August 15.0 108 h 13 °C 90 mm
September 25.5 239 h 14 °C 66 mm
October 23.5 264 h 16 °C 163 mm
November 23.0 218 h 18 °C 96 mm
December 24.0 235 h 20 °C 123 mm

Photo gallery of Boulder Bank

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Technical details of Boulder Bank spot

N: Rideable NNE: Rideable NE: Rideable ENE: Depending on conditions E: Depending on conditions ESE: Not rideable SE: Not rideable SSE: Not rideable S: Depending on conditions SSW: Depending on conditions SW: Depending on conditions WSW: Depending on conditions W: Rideable WNW: Rideable NW: Rideable NNW: Rideable N E S W

The spot works with winds from N, NNE, NE, W, WNW, NW, NNW.

Depending on conditions: ENE, E, S, SSW, SW, WSW.

RideableDepending on conditions Not rideable
Spot opening date · Required level
Spot opening date
Open all year round
Required level
Intermediate

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Live

Nelson Aerodrome AWS13.5 kmsource MetService New Zealand

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Additional stations

  • NELSON AIRPORT AWS13.8 km

    Readings reserved for Premium members

    source WIS2 - WMO

  • ZL2ASC-1317 km

    Readings reserved for Premium members

    source CWOP / APRS-IS

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Webcams near Boulder Bank

Webcams provided by Windy.com

Nearby spots

All spots: Nelson

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