Overview

Haines is a spot at the head of Lynn Canal, the longest and deepest fjord in North America, in Southeast Alaska. This spot is known for its extreme wind conditions — "Taku" katabatic winds can reach speeds over 100 knots when cold Arctic air descends from the interior glaciers and icefields. Conditions are EXCLUSIVELY reserved for expert riders. The setting is absolutely spectacular: a deep fjord surrounded by snow-capped mountains rising over 2,000 m, glaciers, and temperate rainforest. Haines is also famous for its bald eagle gatherings.

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Spot forecast for Haines

Sunrise 07:52 · Sunset 17:40

Open-Meteo

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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 1.9 km from the spot.

Monday 19 October Low tide 02:43 · 2.8 m High tide 09:46 · 5.8 m Low tide 15:18 · 3.9 m High tide 21:37 · 5.8 m
Tuesday 20 October Low tide 03:50 · 2.7 m High tide 10:38 · 6.1 m Low tide 16:26 · 3.5 m High tide 22:36 · 6 m
Wednesday 21 October Low tide 04:44 · 2.5 m High tide 11:21 · 6.4 m Low tide 17:17 · 3 m High tide 23:27 · 6.3 m
Thursday 22 October Low tide 05:29 · 2.2 m High tide 11:57 · 6.8 m Low tide 18:00 · 2.4 m
Friday 23 October High tide 00:11 · 6.6 m Low tide 06:09 · 2 m High tide 12:28 · 7.1 m Low tide 18:39 · 1.8 m

Haines: 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

45h

in September · 7.5 rideable days

The season runs from June to September, peaking in September: 6 rideable days a month and 45 hours of usable wind, at 17 °C. The low point is February, at 1 day.

Rideable days per month

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 100%13-20 knots · under 1%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 100% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is December, at -5 °C. The wettest month is October, with 308 mm.

Monthly averages: Haines

Monthly averages — Haines — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
Month	Rideable days	Usable wind	Temperature	Rain
January	4.0	23 h	-2 °C	297 mm
February	1.0	9 h	-1 °C	117 mm
March	1.5	10 h	3 °C	130 mm
April	1.5	12 h	6 °C	159 mm
May	2.0	12 h	9 °C	208 mm
June	4.0	27 h	17 °C	75 mm
July	6.5	37 h	18 °C	116 mm
August	5.0	42 h	19 °C	93 mm
September	7.5	45 h	14 °C	299 mm
October	3.0	23 h	7 °C	308 mm
November	3.0	11 h	1 °C	215 mm
December	1.0	4 h	-5 °C	246 mm

Photo gallery of Haines

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Technical details of Haines spot

The spot works with winds from ESE, SE, SSE, S, SSW, SW.

Rideable Not rideable

Spot opening date · Required level

Spot opening date: Open all year round
Required level: Expert

On the water

GLACIAL water year-round (3-10°C/37-50°F in summer, near freezing in winter) — dry suit ABSOLUTELY MANDATORY. The bottom is a mix of sand, mud, and rocks. Large tidal range (up to 5 meters/16 feet). Extremely strong tidal currents in the fjord. Water is glacial, turbid, and sediment-laden. Taku winds can create devastating chop in minutes. Conditions can go from flat calm to 60+ knot gusts without warning.

Hazards

EXTREME TAKU WINDS — gusts exceeding 100 knots (185 km/h), potentially fatal. Katabatic winds arrive without warning and can go from 0 to 60+ knots in minutes. Glacial water — fatal hypothermia in minutes without protection. Devastating tidal currents in Lynn Canal. Brown bears and grizzlies VERY frequent — be on constant alert on the beach. Bald eagles in large numbers — protected species. Orcas and humpback whales in the fjord. Arctic weather conditions changing instantly. Extreme remoteness — very limited rescue services.

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Haines - Haines Airport5.9 kmsource noaa

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Additional stations

HAINES3.3 km

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source noaa
Mt. Riley Weather Station2 km

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source noaa

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Webcams near Haines

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Nearby spots

All spots: Alaska

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Haines kitesurf and wingfoil spot