Bottsand (Wendtorf)
- Freeride, Foil
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Flat, Shallow, Small waves, Chop
- Spot Type
- 12–25 kts
- Wind Range
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Bottsand (Wendtorf) is a shallow, mostly flat Baltic-Sea spot with clean water and a big sandy beach. The launch setup is described as easy, with no notable shore break, and a large shallow standing zone that helps newcomers feel more stable while learning to control power and direction. Wind is typically reported across N, NE, SW and W, with the best months given as March, April, May, September and October. Kitesurfing and windsurfing both benefit from the flat-water character, while wingfoiling is possible but requires careful access beyond the shallow sandbars to avoid mast strikes. Safety is the key constraint: kitesurfing is officially prohibited within the adjacent Naturschutzgebiet (nature reserve). Yellow buoys mark the forbidden area, and riders must stay inside designated sport zones while respecting bird sanctuary boundaries. Additional on-water hazards include groynes (Buhnen) and stones/slippery areas near the shore, so conservative navigation and good traction gear are important. Operationally, the spot is accessible from Kiel via B502 toward Schoenberg and then onward by signs for Wendtorf/Bottsand. Parking is available at/near the 'Am Bottsand' area, and sources also note that walking from parking to the beach can be several hundred meters—making a trolley helpful for heavy equipment. Rescue availability is limited, but lifeguards are often present during the main summer season.
- Large shallow standing area (beginner-friendly)
- Clean water and sandy bottom
- Best wind window in spring and autumn
- Very beginner-friendly thanks to shallow, flat water with a large standing area.
- Clean water and a sandy, sandy-bottom setup support easy launches.
- Wind potential is strongest in spring and autumn with the best directions reported from N, NE, SW and W.
- Kitesurfing is prohibited inside the nearby nature reserve; yellow buoys mark the restricted area and boundaries must be respected.
- Navigation hazards include groynes and stones near/under the surface, with slippery areas close to shore.
- Rescue availability for the spot is limited (though lifeguards are often present in summer).
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NE, SW, W
- Wind Range
- 12–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Also influenced by spring/autumn patterns and North-East thermal winds during stable weather.
- Reliability
- Good, especially during spring and autumn storms.
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Reported as generally steady; southwesterly winds can become gusty/turbulent over land.
- Best Months
- March, April, May, September, October
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–13 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Shallow, Small waves, Chop
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Small — Also described as small waves/chop.
- Chop Level
- Light chop — Described as flat water with some chop/small-wave character.
- Launch
- Big — Big, flat, shallow launch area; can be narrow during high water levels.
Through the year
Can be crowded on sunny weekends in summer with both riders and beachgoers.
Autumn and winter bring the strongest winds but also the coldest temperatures.
By sport
What to expect for each.
A shallow, flat-water kitespot with a large standing area that’s especially suitable for learning and practicing new tricks.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–13 m²
Excellent for beginners and freeriders due to flat water and a large standing area.
- Sail Sizes
- 5.5–7.5 m²
Possible, but riders must be careful walking out past shallow sandbars to avoid hitting the bottom with the mast.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foiling is possible, but the spot has limited depth in the initial zones.
- Min Depth
- Approximately 1.5 meters beyond the initial standing zone.
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Bottsand (Wendtorf) in the full forecast view.
Bottsand (Wendtorf) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 5–23 ktsGusts 40 kts
- Direction
- SW224°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2523 kts
- Windy days
- 5/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.1–1.0 m3s period
- Temperature
- 8–15 °C
Over the next 7 days, Bottsand (Wendtorf) is forecast for daytime winds of 5–23 kts, peaking around 23 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 40 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.1–1.0 m with a period of about 3s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Groynes (Buhnen)
- Slippery stones near the shore
- Stones in the water
- Nature reserve restricted areas
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Often present during the main summer season.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability is limited for the spot; regional coverage is provided by the German Maritime Search and Rescue Service (DGzRS) station in nearby Laboe.
- Emergency Info
- Regional rescue is limited; lifeguards are often present during the main summer season. General emergency number is 112.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — No specific localism concerns indicated.
Rules of the spot
Kitesurfing is officially prohibited in the Naturschutzgebiet (nature reserve). Yellow buoys mark the forbidden area; stay within designated sport zones and respect bird sanctuary boundaries.
- Kitesurfing is strictly prohibited within the marked nature reserve (Naturschutzgebiet Bottsand).
- Seasonal restrictions may apply to certain launch areas.
- Respect the yellow buoys that mark the restricted zones.
- The walk from the parking area to the beach is roughly 500–800 meters; a trolley is helpful for heavy gear.
- Respect local rules as kitesurfing is officially forbidden.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Kiel
- Nearest Town
- Wendtorf
- Parking
- Paid parking is available at the 'Am Bottsand' parking lot; parking also described as available opposite the beach.
- Public Transport
- Accessible via KV Kiel bus lines 200 and 201, connecting Kiel central station to Wendtorf and Heidkate.
- Access
- From Kiel take B502 towards Schoenberg. Exit to Wendtorf and Wendtorfer Strand. Follow signs to camping ground Bottsand.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- German
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Direct — Camping ground Bottsand is directly adjacent to the spot.
- Food & Drink
- Several restaurants and cafes are located in the nearby Marina Wendtorf.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is available via nearby surf schools serving the coast; also described as available at the nearby surf school in the marina.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A large sailing harbor and tourist complex featuring restaurants, shops, and maritime activities.
A 72-meter high tower offering panoramic views and serving as a memorial for sailors of all nations.
Extensive cycling paths through salt marshes, fields, and along the Baltic dykes.
Seasonal snack bars and kiosks located directly behind the dyke catering to beachgoers.
A technical museum featuring a WWII German submarine located on the beach in Laboe.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Bottsand (Wendtorf)?
The best overall months at Bottsand (Wendtorf) are March, April, May, September, October.
Which wind directions work at Bottsand (Wendtorf)?
Bottsand (Wendtorf) works with N, NE, SW, W winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Bottsand (Wendtorf)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Bottsand (Wendtorf): Kitesurfing: 9–13 m² · Windsurfing: 5.5–7.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 12–25 kts.
What skill level is Bottsand (Wendtorf) suitable for?
Bottsand (Wendtorf) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner · Windsurfing: Beginner · Wingfoiling: Beginner to Intermediate.