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West Beach kitesurf spot

United States · Washington

Spot currently openAdvanced level 48.31 | -122.72

Overview

West Beach is a kitesurfing spot on the west coast of Whidbey Island, facing the Strait of Juan de Fuca, in Washington State. This spot is part of Joseph Whidbey State Park, about 3 miles northwest of Oak Harbor. The beach is exposed to strait swells and powerful westerly winds, creating excellent wave conditions for experienced riders. The shore break can be substantial, making this spot particularly technical. On clear days, views extend to the San Juan Islands and Vancouver Island.

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Spot forecast for West Beach

Sunrise 07:38 · Sunset 18:12

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 2.6 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 Now01:441.6 m08:223.5 m14:152.6 m19:253.6 m02:411.6 m09:253.6 m15:172.4 m20:483.7 m03:301.5 m10:053.9 m16:072 m21:543.8 m04:121.5 m10:374.2 m16:501.7 m22:454 m04:521.4 m11:074.4 m17:301.3 m23:304.2 m
  • Monday 19 October Low tide · 1.6 m High tide · 3.5 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 · 2.4 m High tide · 3.7 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 · 1.5 m High tide · 4.2 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 · 4.2 m

West Beach: 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

253h

in July · 25 rideable days

The season runs from April to August, peaking in July: 17 rideable days a month and 253 hours of usable wind, at 18 °C. The low point is January, at 2.5 days.

Rideable days per month

0 10 20 30 January: 2.5 rideable days2.5 d J February: 2.5 rideable days2.5 d F March: 4.5 rideable days M April: 10.5 rideable days A May: 19 rideable days M June: 17.5 rideable days J July: 25 rideable days25 d J August: 14.5 rideable days A September: 7.5 rideable days S October: 4 rideable days O November: 4 rideable days N December: 5.5 rideable days D 0 10 20 30 January: 2.5 rideable days2.5 d J February: 2.5 rideable days2.5 d F March: 4.5 rideable days M April: 10.5 rideable days A May: 19 rideable days M June: 17.5 rideable days J July: 25 rideable days25 d J August: 14.5 rideable days A September: 7.5 rideable days S October: 4 rideable days O November: 4 rideable days N December: 5.5 rideable days D

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 84%13-20 knots · 15%21-30 knots · 1%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 84% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is January, at 7 °C. The wettest month is December, with 115 mm.

Monthly averages: West Beach
Monthly averages — West Beach — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
Month Rideable days Usable wind Temperature Rain
January 2.5 14 h 7 °C 41 mm
February 2.5 14 h 8 °C 46 mm
March 4.5 27 h 11 °C 42 mm
April 10.5 81 h 13 °C 22 mm
May 19.0 179 h 16 °C 28 mm
June 17.5 146 h 18 °C 17 mm
July 25.0 253 h 20 °C 9 mm
August 14.5 122 h 21 °C 39 mm
September 7.5 50 h 19 °C 22 mm
October 4.0 24 h 14 °C 63 mm
November 4.0 26 h 10 °C 67 mm
December 5.5 25 h 8 °C 115 mm

Photo gallery of West Beach

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Technical details of West Beach spot

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

The spot works with winds from WSW, W, WNW.

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

Open all year

Required level
Advanced
On the water

Cold water from the Strait of Juan de Fuca (8-13°C), 4/3 wetsuit minimum year-round, 5/3 recommended in winter. Significant waves in strong westerly wind, with powerful shore break. Sandy and rocky bottom. Important tidal currents in the strait. Westerly winds at 15-30 knots during cold front passages. The launch area can disappear at high tide (option to launch from the grass).

Parking

West Beach is located on the south side of Joseph Whidbey State Park, about 3 miles northwest of Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island. Pull into the small parking lot right next to the road to enter the park just north of the houses along the beach. The road coming from Oak Harbor leads directly to it.

Hazards

Powerful shore break making water entries and exits very technical. Onshore waves with short swell periods, demanding conditions. Powerful tidal currents in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Very cold water year-round risking rapid hypothermia. Rocks on the bottom. Limited launch area at high tide. Proximity to Whidbey Island Naval Air Station: respect airspace. Spot recommended only for experienced riders in wave conditions.

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