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Squamish Spit kitesurf, wingfoil and windsurf spot
Canada · Colombie-Britannique
Overview
Squamish Spit, located at the confluence of the Squamish River and Howe Sound, is one of Canada's most iconic kitesurfing spots. The spot is on Pepahím̓ Island, accessible only by boat shuttle operated by the Squamish Windsports Society from mid-May to mid-September.
IMPORTANT: Since October 2024, kiteboarding has been permanently banned from the main beach at Sp'akw'us Feather Park (formerly "Watersports Beach") following a fatal accident. Wingfoiling and windsurfing remain permitted on that beach. Kiteboarders must use the shuttle to Pepahím̓ Island to ride.
Despite this restriction, Squamish remains a world-class spot thanks to its exceptionally consistent thermal winds and spectacular setting between snow-capped mountains, forests, and glacial fjord.
Spot forecast for Squamish Spit
Sunrise 07:42 · Sunset 18:12
Forecasts provided by Open-Meteo
Tides
Heights above lowest astronomical tide, in the spot's local time. Computed 138.8 km from the spot.
- Monday 19 October Low tide · 1.6 m High tide · 3.4 m Low tide · 2.6 m High tide · 3.6 m
- Tuesday 20 October Low tide · 1.6 m High tide · 3.6 m Low tide · 2.3 m High tide · 3.6 m
- Wednesday 21 October Low tide · 1.5 m High tide · 3.9 m Low tide · 2 m High tide · 3.8 m
- Thursday 22 October Low tide · 1.4 m High tide · 4.1 m Low tide · 1.7 m High tide · 4 m
- Friday 23 October Low tide · 1.4 m High tide · 4.4 m Low tide · 1.3 m High tide · 4.1 m
Squamish Spit: when to go?
Rideable days and hours computed for a minimum wind of 7 knots · log in to set your own (foil, twin-tip…)
310h
in July · 30.5 rideable days
The spot works year-round: 28 rideable days a month on average, at 24 °C. It peaks in July, with 310 hours of usable wind.
Kiting is forbidden here from 16/09 to 14/05. Hors saison — navette SWS non opérationnelle / Off-season — SWS shuttle not operating
Rideable days per month
Wind strength when it is rideable
When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 86% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is June, at 21 °C. The wettest month is August, with 38 mm.
Monthly averages: Squamish Spit
| Month | Rideable days | Usable wind | Temperature | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January closed | 7.0 | 40 h | 5 °C | 143 mm |
| February closed | 8.0 | 52 h | 7 °C | 139 mm |
| March closed | 18.0 | 114 h | 10 °C | 146 mm |
| April closed | 23.0 | 189 h | 15 °C | 64 mm |
| May closed | 27.0 | 242 h | 18 °C | 80 mm |
| June | 27.5 | 267 h | 21 °C | 34 mm |
| July | 30.5 | 310 h | 26 °C | 16 mm |
| August | 24.5 | 191 h | 25 °C | 38 mm |
| September closed | 20.5 | 150 h | 22 °C | 60 mm |
| October closed | 14.5 | 95 h | 13 °C | 269 mm |
| November closed | 10.5 | 66 h | 9 °C | 214 mm |
| December closed | 11.5 | 70 h | 7 °C | 363 mm |
Photo gallery of Squamish Spit
Ridden here? One photo or video, and the spot comes alive for everyone discovering it.
Technical details of Squamish Spit spot
The spot works with winds from SSE, S, SSW, SW, WSW, W.
Local association recommendations
Squamish Windsports Society (SWS) — manages Spit access, shuttle, rescue. Squamish Watersports — kite and wingfoil school, equipment rental. Aerial Kiteboarding — kite school, shop, rentals. Comox Kite Repair — kite repair (Vancouver Island).
Spot functioning
The Squamish Windsports Society (SWS) manages access to Pepahím̓ Island from May 15 to September 15. A daily access fee or seasonal membership is required. SWS provides shuttle service, air compressors, gear protection mats, and emergency rescue service (jet ski). Conditions are best from noon to late afternoon when the thermal is established. Tides: Howe Sound is tidal, which affects launch conditions.
Spot opening date · Required level
- Spot opening date
-
- Closed : from 16/09 to 14/05
Hors saison — navette SWS non opérationnelle / Off-season — SWS shuttle not operating
Season: May 15 to September 15 (SWS shuttle operation). The spot is not accessible off-season. Best months: July and August (near-daily wind). RESTRICTION: Kiteboarding has been permanently banned from the beach at Sp'akw'us Feather Park since October 2024. Only shuttle access to Pepahím̓ Island is permitted for kiteboarders.
- Closed : from 16/09 to 14/05
- Required level
- Advanced
On the water
Flat water with no waves — ideal for freestyle and freeride. The water is a mix of freshwater (Squamish River, glacial melt) and saltwater (Howe Sound). Very cold year-round: 4/3 or 5/3 wetsuit mandatory even in summer. The bottom drops off quickly beyond the Spit.
Parking
Parking is at Sp'akw'us Feather Park. From this parking lot, kiteboarders take the Squamish Windsports Society boat shuttle to Pepahím̓ Island. Wingfoiling and windsurfing can be practiced directly from the park beach.
Wind specificities
Very consistent thermal wind from the SW (southwest). The temperature differential between the cold Pacific Ocean and the warm interior creates a powerful draw that funnels into the fjord. Wind picks up around 10-11am and blows until evening, typically between 18 and 24 knots. In July and August, wind is nearly daily (100% windy days). Wind season runs from May to September.
Hazards
Cross-offshore wind from the Spit: you must be able to ride upwind, retrieve your board, and self-rescue in deep water before riding alone. Wildlife Management Area (Skwelwil'em) to the north: access strictly prohibited. The launch is rocky and gravelly — booties recommended. Tidal currents in Howe Sound. Very cold water (glacial melt): hypothermia risk in case of trouble.
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VE7OTD COMOX BC CA3.5 kmsource madis - NOAA
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Additional stations
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FW4013 Squamish CA4.4 km
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source madis - NOAA
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DW8782 Squamish CA1.8 km
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source madis - NOAA
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