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Unalaska Island | Unalaska Bay kitesurf and wingfoil spot

United States · Alaska

Spot currently openExpert level 53.88 | -166.56

Overview

Unalaska Bay is a spot in the main bay of Unalaska in the Aleutian Islands. The bay offers slightly more protection than nearby Dutch Harbor, but conditions remain extreme. Dominant winds come from the SE and NW/NNW, often with considerable force. Unalaska Island is volcanic (Makushin Volcano, 1,800 m/5,900 ft) and katabatic winds (williwaws) descending from the volcano can be devastating. The spot is reserved for expert riders accustomed to extreme conditions. Even in summer, storms are frequent.

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Spot forecast for Unalaska Island | Unalaska Bay

Sunrise 19:44 · Sunset 05:57

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 7.8 km from the spot.

6:0012:0018:006:0012:0018:006:0012:0018:006:0012:0018:006:0012:0018:00Tue 20Wed 21Thu 22Fri 23Sat 24 Now01:101.5 m06:271.2 m10:191.3 m17:420.6 m01:281.5 m06:561.2 m11:241.2 m18:160.7 m01:381.4 m07:301.1 m12:361.2 m18:490.8 m01:421.4 m08:070.9 m13:561.2 m19:211 m01:421.4 m08:470.8 m15:341.2 m19:551.1 m
  • Tuesday 20 October High tide · 1.5 m Low tide · 1.2 m High tide · 1.3 m Low tide · 0.6 m
  • Wednesday 21 October High tide · 1.5 m Low tide · 1.2 m High tide · 1.2 m Low tide · 0.7 m
  • Thursday 22 October High tide · 1.4 m Low tide · 1.1 m High tide · 1.2 m Low tide · 0.8 m
  • Friday 23 October High tide · 1.4 m Low tide · 0.9 m High tide · 1.2 m Low tide · 1 m
  • Saturday 24 October High tide · 1.4 m Low tide · 0.8 m High tide · 1.2 m Low tide · 1.1 m

Unalaska Island | Unalaska Bay: 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

77h

in March · 12 rideable days

Wind is uneven from month to month: the best months are March, June and September, at 11 rideable days and 7 °C. The low point is January, at 4 days.

Rideable days per month

0 5 10 15 January: 4 rideable days4 d J February: 8.5 rideable days F March: 12 rideable days12 d M April: 9 rideable days A May: 8.5 rideable days M June: 11.5 rideable days J July: 5 rideable days J August: 8.5 rideable days A September: 10 rideable days S October: 9 rideable days O November: 6 rideable days N December: 10 rideable days D 0 5 10 15 January: 4 rideable days4 d J February: 8.5 rideable days F March: 12 rideable days12 d M April: 9 rideable days A May: 8.5 rideable days M June: 11.5 rideable days J July: 5 rideable days J August: 8.5 rideable days A September: 10 rideable days S October: 9 rideable days O November: 6 rideable days N December: 10 rideable days D

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 57%13-20 knots · 37%21-30 knots · 6%31+ knots · under 1%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 57% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is January, at 1 °C. The wettest month is January, with 269 mm.

Monthly averages: Unalaska Island | Unalaska Bay
Monthly averages — Unalaska Island | Unalaska Bay — 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 16 h 1 °C 269 mm
February 8.5 44 h 2 °C 133 mm
March 12.0 77 h 1 °C 173 mm
April 9.0 75 h 3 °C 174 mm
May 8.5 65 h 5 °C 117 mm
June 11.5 92 h 9 °C 131 mm
July 5.0 34 h 15 °C 70 mm
August 8.5 50 h 15 °C 185 mm
September 10.0 65 h 11 °C 184 mm
October 9.0 57 h 8 °C 210 mm
November 6.0 32 h 4 °C 232 mm
December 10.0 50 h 3 °C 203 mm

Photo gallery of Unalaska Island | Unalaska Bay

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Technical details of Unalaska Island | Unalaska Bay spot

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

The spot works with winds from SE, NW, NNW.

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) — dry suit MANDATORY. The bottom is a mix of volcanic rocks, black sand, and kelp. Moderate tidal range. Tidal currents in the bay. Water is often very rough even inside the bay. North Pacific swells penetrate the bay. Kelp forests can interfere with sailing.

Hazards

Williwaws (katabatic winds) descending from Makushin Volcano — violent, unpredictable gusts exceeding 80 knots. Extreme weather conditions — "the birthplace of storms." Deadly glacial water. Commercial fishing traffic. Volcanic rocks and reefs. Kelp forests. Near-permanent fog. Extreme remoteness. Strong currents. Marine wildlife: sea otters, seals, Steller sea lions (threatened species), orcas. Potential volcanic activity (Makushin is an active volcano).

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Unalaska, Unalaska Airport3.1 kmsource noaa

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