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Smathers Beach / Key West kitesurf and wingfoil spot

United States · Florida

Spot currently openIntermediate levelAltitude 2 m 24.55 | -81.77

Overview

Smathers Beach is the main kitesurfing spot in Key West, located on the island's south coast facing the Atlantic Ocean. This long white sand beach offers an iconic tropical setting with palm trees and the unique Key West vibe. The spot benefits from easterly trade winds that blow side-shore along the beach, creating excellent conditions from November to April. The proximity to downtown Key West with its restaurants, bars and accommodations makes it a very accessible and social spot. It's the ideal starting point to explore the Key West kite scene.

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Spot forecast for Smathers Beach / Key West

Sunrise 07:27 · Sunset 18:56

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 4.7 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 Now05:030.6 m11:290.3 m19:320.6 m23:050.5 m06:240.7 m12:280.3 m20:010.6 m00:170.4 m07:260.7 m13:190.3 m20:220.6 m01:210.4 m08:200.7 m14:000.3 m20:410.7 m02:140.3 m09:090.7 m14:370.3 m21:040.7 m
  • Monday 19 October High tide · 0.6 m Low tide · 0.3 m High tide · 0.6 m Low tide · 0.5 m
  • Tuesday 20 October High tide · 0.7 m Low tide · 0.3 m High tide · 0.6 m
  • Wednesday 21 October Low tide · 0.4 m High tide · 0.7 m Low tide · 0.3 m High tide · 0.6 m
  • Thursday 22 October Low tide · 0.4 m High tide · 0.7 m Low tide · 0.3 m High tide · 0.7 m
  • Friday 23 October Low tide · 0.3 m High tide · 0.7 m Low tide · 0.3 m High tide · 0.7 m

Smathers Beach / Key West: 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

357h

in June · 27.5 rideable days

The season runs from March to July, peaking in June: 25 rideable days a month and 357 hours of usable wind, at 30 °C. The low point is September, at 16 days.

Rideable days per month

0 10 20 30 January: 18.5 rideable days J February: 18.5 rideable days F March: 23 rideable days M April: 23 rideable days A May: 23.5 rideable days M June: 27.5 rideable days27.5 d J July: 26.5 rideable days J August: 21 rideable days A September: 16 rideable days16 d S October: 22 rideable days O November: 20.5 rideable days N December: 18 rideable days D 0 10 20 30 January: 18.5 rideable days J February: 18.5 rideable days F March: 23 rideable days M April: 23 rideable days A May: 23.5 rideable days M June: 27.5 rideable days27.5 d J July: 26.5 rideable days J August: 21 rideable days A September: 16 rideable days16 d S October: 22 rideable days O November: 20.5 rideable days N December: 18 rideable days D

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 80%13-20 knots · 19%21-30 knots · 1%31+ knots · under 1%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 80% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is January, at 23 °C. The wettest month is June, with 229 mm.

Monthly averages: Smathers Beach / Key West
Monthly averages — Smathers Beach / Key West — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
Month Rideable days Usable wind Temperature Rain
January 18.5 166 h 23 °C 55 mm
February 18.5 186 h 25 °C 27 mm
March 23.0 240 h 27 °C 76 mm
April 23.0 303 h 28 °C 9 mm
May 23.5 288 h 31 °C 26 mm
June 27.5 357 h 31 °C 229 mm
July 26.5 282 h 32 °C 75 mm
August 21.0 165 h 32 °C 120 mm
September 16.0 139 h 31 °C 218 mm
October 22.0 224 h 29 °C 102 mm
November 20.5 209 h 27 °C 31 mm
December 18.0 150 h 25 °C 49 mm

Photo gallery of Smathers Beach / Key West

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Technical details of Smathers Beach / Key West spot

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

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

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

The water body faces the Atlantic with a gradually sloping sandy bottom. In easterly trade winds, conditions offer light to moderate chop depending on wind strength. In southeast or south winds, a short swell can form with waves of 1.5-3 feet. The water is warm (75-86°F) and crystal clear year-round. Riding is parallel to the beach along a long corridor. Watch for the designated swimming area marked by buoys that must be strictly respected.

Hazards

The beach is very busy with tourists and swimmers — maintain a safe distance and respect designated zones. Tidal currents along the coast can drift riders. In northerly winds, conditions become offshore and dangerous — do not ride. Maritime traffic is present with cruise ships and shuttle boats. Watch for jet skis and rental boats in the area.

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