Beaver Island kitesurf, wingfoil and surf spot

United States · Michigan

Spot currently openAdvanced levelAltitude 176 m 45.74 | -85.56

Overview

Beaver Island is a kitesurf spot located on the largest island in Lake Michigan, approximately 50 km offshore from Charlevoix, Michigan. This remote island offers a wild and preserved setting with sandy beaches and forests. Accessible only by ferry or plane, the spot offers open Lake Michigan conditions in all directions, with excellent wave potential. The isolation and remoteness make this a spot reserved for experienced, self-sufficient riders.

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Spot forecast for Beaver Island

Sunrise 08:05 · Sunset 18:48

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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

Beaver Island: 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

278h

in December · 29.5 rideable days

Wind is uneven from month to month: the best months are March, December and April, at 30 rideable days and 4 °C. The low point is February, at 22 days.

Rideable days per month

0 10 20 30 January: 28 rideable days J February: 22 rideable days22 d F March: 30 rideable days M April: 29 rideable days A May: 28.5 rideable days M June: 25 rideable days J July: 26 rideable days J August: 27 rideable days A September: 22 rideable days22 d S October: 27.5 rideable days O November: 27.5 rideable days N December: 29.5 rideable days29.5 d D 0 10 20 30 January: 28 rideable days J February: 22 rideable days22 d F March: 30 rideable days M April: 29 rideable days A May: 28.5 rideable days M June: 25 rideable days J July: 26 rideable days J August: 27 rideable days A September: 22 rideable days22 d S October: 27.5 rideable days O November: 27.5 rideable days N December: 29.5 rideable days29.5 d D

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 67%13-20 knots · 31%21-30 knots · 2%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 67% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is January, at -2 °C. The wettest month is June, with 99 mm.

Monthly averages: Beaver Island
Monthly averages — Beaver Island — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
Month Rideable days Usable wind Temperature Rain
January 28.0 278 h -2 °C 35 mm
February 22.0 238 h 0 °C 17 mm
March 30.0 350 h 4 °C 83 mm
April 29.0 331 h 10 °C 60 mm
May 28.5 316 h 16 °C 78 mm
June 25.0 313 h 21 °C 99 mm
July 26.0 251 h 24 °C 44 mm
August 27.0 286 h 24 °C 23 mm
September 22.0 210 h 21 °C 41 mm
October 27.5 306 h 15 °C 20 mm
November 27.5 272 h 6 °C 63 mm
December 29.5 278 h -1 °C 59 mm

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Technical details of Beaver Island 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
Required level
Advanced
On the water

Open Lake Michigan water body in all directions around the island. Waves can reach 2 meters or more in strong winds, with considerable fetch. Very cold water — full wetsuit required from September to June, strongly recommended even in summer. Sandy bottom around the island. Different beaches offer varied exposures depending on wind direction. Often windy conditions due to lack of obstacles.

Hazards

Remote island 50 km from the mainland — rescue services very limited and distant. Very cold Lake Michigan water with major hypothermia risk. Powerful waves with unlimited fetch in all directions. Strong currents around the island. Commercial shipping in the area. Weather can change rapidly on the open lake. Violent thunderstorms possible. Spot reserved for experienced, self-sufficient riders with complete safety equipment.

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Live

Beaver Island, Beaver Island Airport5.8 kmsource noaa

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Additional stations

  • Beaver Island5.8 km

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    source aviationweather.gov

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Nearby spots

All spots: Michigan

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