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Cat Head Bay / Lake Michigan kitesurf, wingfoil and surf spot
United States · Michigan
Overview
Cat Head Bay is a kitesurf spot located on Lake Michigan, at the northern tip of the Leelanau Peninsula, Michigan. This northwest-facing bay offers exposure to prevailing winds with a long fetch across Lake Michigan. Cat Head Point is one of the peninsula's northernmost points, offering open lake conditions. Crystal-clear waters and the wild setting make this a beautiful spot for nature lovers.
Spot forecast for Cat Head Bay / Lake Michigan
Sunrise 08:05 · Sunset 18:48
Forecasts provided by Open-Meteo
Cat Head Bay / Lake Michigan: when to go?
Rideable days and hours computed for a minimum wind of 7 knots · log in to set your own (foil, twin-tip…)
293h
in December · 30 rideable days
Wind is uneven from month to month: the best months are December, January and March, at 29 rideable days and 1 °C. The low point is September, at 18.5 days.
Rideable days per month
Wind strength when it is rideable
When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 68% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is January, at -2 °C. The wettest month is March, with 91 mm.
Monthly averages: Cat Head Bay / Lake Michigan
| Month | Rideable days | Usable wind | Temperature | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29.5 | 293 h | -2 °C | 30 mm |
| February | 22.0 | 243 h | 1 °C | 27 mm |
| March | 27.5 | 328 h | 5 °C | 91 mm |
| April | 27.5 | 321 h | 10 °C | 59 mm |
| May | 27.0 | 296 h | 16 °C | 59 mm |
| June | 25.0 | 279 h | 21 °C | 63 mm |
| July | 25.0 | 224 h | 23 °C | 80 mm |
| August | 23.0 | 214 h | 23 °C | 38 mm |
| September | 18.5 | 161 h | 20 °C | 22 mm |
| October | 27.5 | 275 h | 16 °C | 37 mm |
| November | 26.5 | 279 h | 7 °C | 43 mm |
| December | 30.0 | 293 h | 0 °C | 60 mm |
Photo gallery of Cat Head Bay / Lake Michigan
Ridden here? One photo or video, and the spot comes alive for everyone discovering it.
Technical details of Cat Head Bay / Lake Michigan spot
The spot works with winds from N, NNE, NE, ENE, E, ESE, SE, SSE, S, SSW, SW, WSW, W, WNW, NW, NNW.
Spot opening date · Required level
- Spot opening date
- Open all year round
- Required level
- Intermediate
On the water
Lake Michigan water body with northwest exposure. Northwest to west winds create waves of 1 to 2 meters with excellent fetch. Very cold and crystal-clear water — full wetsuit required except in midsummer. Sandy and rocky bottom. The point can create wind acceleration effects. Good surf conditions in sustained northwest winds.
Hazards
Currents possible around Cat Head Point. Very cold Lake Michigan water with hypothermia risk. Submerged rocks in some areas. Relatively remote area with limited rescue services. Violent thunderstorms possible in summer with lightning risk — exit water immediately. Powerful waves possible in strong northwest winds.
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Northport8.2 kmsource noaa
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Additional stations
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Westleland19.5 km
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source noaa
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Omena15.8 km
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source noaa
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Webcams near Cat Head Bay / Lake Michigan
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Nearby spots
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