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Skyway Bridge North Rest Area East Side kitesurf and wingfoil spot

United States · Florida

Spot currently openAdvanced levelAltitude 2 m 27.65 | -82.68

Overview

Skyway Bridge North Rest Area is a kitesurfing spot located at the north rest area of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, one of Florida's most iconic bridges. The spot offers direct access to Tampa Bay from the middle of the bridge, with water in all directions. All wind directions are rideable, but the strong tidal currents between the bridge pilings make this spot technical and reserved for experienced riders. The setting is spectacular with the bridge in the background and panoramic views of Tampa Bay.

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Spot forecast for Skyway Bridge North Rest Area East Side

Sunrise 07:33 · Sunset 18:57

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 3.5 km from the spot.

6:0012:0018:006:0012:0018:006:0012:0018:006:0012:0018:006:0012:0018:00Mon 19Tue 20Wed 21Thu 22Fri 23 Now04:310.7 m15:020.4 m00:270.7 m03:050.6 m06:120.7 m15:440.4 m23:390.6 m03:560.6 m09:050.7 m16:200.4 m22:520.7 m04:320.5 m10:240.7 m16:490.4 m22:480.7 m05:060.4 m11:220.7 m17:130.5 m22:460.7 m
  • Monday 19 October High tide · 0.7 m Low tide · 0.4 m
  • Tuesday 20 October High tide · 0.7 m Low tide · 0.6 m High tide · 0.7 m Low tide · 0.4 m High tide · 0.6 m
  • Wednesday 21 October Low tide · 0.6 m High tide · 0.7 m Low tide · 0.4 m High tide · 0.7 m
  • Thursday 22 October Low tide · 0.5 m High tide · 0.7 m Low tide · 0.4 m High tide · 0.7 m
  • Friday 23 October Low tide · 0.4 m High tide · 0.7 m Low tide · 0.5 m High tide · 0.7 m

Skyway Bridge North Rest Area East Side: 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

298h

in January · 31 rideable days

The spot works year-round: 30 rideable days a month on average, at 25 °C. It peaks in January, with 298 hours of usable wind.

Rideable days per month

0 10 20 30 40 January: 31 rideable days31 d J February: 27 rideable days27 d F March: 30.5 rideable days M April: 30 rideable days A May: 31 rideable days M June: 29.5 rideable days J July: 29.5 rideable days J August: 30.5 rideable days A September: 30 rideable days S October: 30.5 rideable days O November: 28.5 rideable days N December: 30 rideable days D 0 10 20 30 40 January: 31 rideable days31 d J February: 27 rideable days27 d F March: 30.5 rideable days M April: 30 rideable days A May: 31 rideable days M June: 29.5 rideable days J July: 29.5 rideable days J August: 30.5 rideable days A September: 30 rideable days S October: 30.5 rideable days O November: 28.5 rideable days N December: 30 rideable days D

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 71%13-20 knots · 27%21-30 knots · 2%31+ knots · under 1%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 71% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is January, at 16 °C. The wettest month is August, with 234 mm.

Monthly averages: Skyway Bridge North Rest Area East Side
Monthly averages — Skyway Bridge North Rest Area East Side — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
Month Rideable days Usable wind Temperature Rain
January 31.0 298 h 16 °C 41 mm
February 27.0 250 h 19 °C 43 mm
March 30.5 305 h 21 °C 8 mm
April 30.0 356 h 24 °C 21 mm
May 31.0 371 h 27 °C 92 mm
June 29.5 318 h 29 °C 228 mm
July 29.5 273 h 31 °C 103 mm
August 30.5 318 h 30 °C 234 mm
September 30.0 266 h 30 °C 187 mm
October 30.5 331 h 26 °C 166 mm
November 28.5 247 h 23 °C 17 mm
December 30.0 258 h 20 °C 8 mm

Photo gallery of Skyway Bridge North Rest Area East Side

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Technical details of Skyway Bridge North Rest Area East Side spot

N: Rideable NNE: Rideable NE: Rideable ENE: Rideable E: Rideable ESE: Rideable SE: Rideable SSE: Rideable S: Rideable SSW: Rideable SW: Rideable WSW: Rideable W: Rideable WNW: Rideable NW: Rideable NNW: Rideable N E S W

The spot works with winds from N, NNE, NE, ENE, E, ESE, SE, SSE, S, SSW, SW, WSW, W, WNW, NW, NNW.

Rideable Not rideable
Spot opening date · Required level
Spot opening date
Open all year round
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On the water

The water body is in the heart of Tampa Bay with moderate to significant depth. Sandy and muddy bottom. Tidal currents are strong, particularly in the main channel under the bridge. In sustained winds, moderate chop forms on the bay. The water is warm but sometimes murky. The riding area is vast but requires staying clear of the bridge pilings.

Hazards

Tidal currents are very strong near the Skyway channel — can sweep a rider away quickly. Never ride between bridge pilings. Maritime traffic (tankers, cargo ships, fishing boats) is heavy in the channel. Sharks are present in this area of the bay. Water can be deep — self-rescue ability essential. Spot reserved for very experienced riders.

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Webcams near Skyway Bridge North Rest Area East Side

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