While the wind and water might be all that you need for the ultimate windsurfing adventure, it’s crucial to pick the right spot to get the best out of your day! Check out our list of the top ten windsurfing destinations on the East Coast, and get ready to get out there in the wind and surf!
Outer Banks, NC
The Outer Banks is a narrow strip of barrier islands that stretch along 200 miles in North Carolina, and are one of the most accessible windsurfing destinations in the United States! While you’ll find tourists and families on its beaches, there is more to The Outer Banks than just beautiful surroundings. Cape Hatteras provides strong and gentle waves, and Nags Head is beginner-friendly.
Merritt Island, FL
Enjoy big wind and amazing water to windsurf at Merritt Island, Florida. This town is super chill and has near-perfect conditions year-round which means that it is a windsurfer’s paradise!
Seabrook Harbor, NH
New England can offer great windsurfing if you know where to look! With Northwest and Northeast winds, Seabrook Harbor in New Hampshire is a great place for beginner and intermediate windsurfers to surf! Be careful of the tide though! It can pull unsuspecting novices out to sea!
Kalmus Beach, MA
Hailed as the most famous beach in Massachusetts, Kalmus Beach gets more wind than any other East Coast windsurfing spot north of Corpus Christi, Texas. The water here is usually flat with a little chop, which becomes larger as you go upwind. Kalmus is famous for summer thermal winds which blow on hot days when other beaches have no wind. The combination of warm waters during the summer and constant wind makes Kalmus a great place for beginners to learn the ropes! Just be aware, on weekends, the beach can get quite crowded!
Chapoquoit Beach, Cape Cod, MA
There are numerous spots in Cape Cod to choose from for windsurfing! If you are on the Cape, check out Chapoquoit Beach, one of Cape Cod’s best spots for waves. When the winds hit 25 knots, you can get mast-high waves! Be aware, watch for submerged rocks, and boat traffic!
Long Beach Island, NJ
Long Beach Island, New Jersey, is a great place for beginner windsurfers and intermediate surfers alike! There is a protected cove area that is close to the beach with shallow water which is a great place for beginners to learn. More advanced windsurfers can enjoy a 3-mile bay area between the island and mainland shore. Be aware of shallow waters that can catch fins!
Canadian Hole, Outer Banks, NC
Check out Canadian Hole, a small laid-back out in North Carolina’s Outer Banks for amazing picture-perfect windsurfing conditions! Any day is an amazing day to enjoy a ride at Pamlico Sound in Canadian Hole. This area has been the focal point for the best East Coast windsurfing and during the spring and summer, windsurfers travel to access this small stretch of shoreline hoping to catch some amazing waves!
Marco Island, FL
Take a picturesque trip through the Florida Keys to Marco Island which offers open water Gulf riding as well as flat-water access! This area can get crowded when N to NW winds prevail, so keep that in mind. There are also some restrictions to be aware of as Marco Island is situated near the Everglades. Windsurfing is banned in the bird sanctuary lagoon.
Tampa Bay, FL
Tampa Bay, Florida abounds with amazing places for windsurfers! Intermediate surfers will enjoy Fort De Soto Park and Johns Pass. For less choppy waters, check out Fred Howard Park and Sunset Beach (in Tarpon Springs), both great places for beginners. Be sure to check out some of the shallow beaches located at the north end of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge as well! Autumn is the best time to go windsurfing in Florida, so gear up and get out there!
Androscoggin Lake, Leeds, Maine
Yes! You can windsurf in a lake. It’s not just about the ocean! If you are a beginner, take some lessons from Windsurf Maine, and learn what it’s really like to sail across the water on a surfboard with a sail!
See? There are numerous amazing spots to discover all along the East Coast of the United States for any windsurfing enthusiasts! Will you check out any of these spots?
Don’t let sub-par gear get you down! Check out 3 Rad Kids for easy to lease-to-own windsurfing gear! It’s easy to apply, and you’ll soon be gliding across the water on your very own board!
image courtesy of capecodwave.com
