Carl Grey Park (Panama City)
- Freeride, Foil
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Flat, Shallow
- Spot Type
- Moderate
- Crowd Level
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Carl Grey Park in Panama City is a small, low-profile waterfront park on North Bay that’s mainly used for progression-oriented wind sports in north winds. Water conditions are described as shallow and flat, with some sources noting chop, and the bay bottom includes sand plus oyster/shell hazards. For kitesurfing, the spot’s defining advantage is reliable winter/spring north-component wind. Shallow, forgiving water is a strong match for freestyle and freeride, including foil riding when riders can manage the tight launch area. However, the launch itself is reported as small and technical: trees and power lines sit close to where the kite is handled, so riders must be especially careful with kite lofting and line management. Safety concerns are the main limiter. Oyster beds and sharp shells are common on the bottom, so booties are strongly recommended. Additionally, a water-quality advisory has been issued at times, and advisories may prohibit water activities—check local advisories before launching. Nearby the Hathaway Bridge adds extra caution for avoiding the structure and managing wind turbulence on certain angles. Overall, this is a convenient North Bay location with easy vehicle access, ample parking, and basic facilities, but it’s best approached with an intermediate mindset for the launch and obstacle management. Winter cold fronts and north/northwest wind align well with the spot’s conditions, while summer is described as hotter in the region (with sea-breeze influence noted broadly).
- North-wind kitesurfing focus in winter
- Shallow flats that support progression
- Small, technical launch area due to trees and power lines
- Oyster/shell hazards—booties recommended
- Water quality advisories can affect riding
- North-wind spot with shallow, flat-to-choppy bay water suited to progression
- Easy access with ample parking and basic park amenities
- Winter cold fronts are described as a key driver for consistent north winds
- Launch area is small and can be tricky due to trees and power lines
- Underwater oyster beds/sharp shells present a puncture/cut risk
- Water quality advisories have been issued at times and can restrict use
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — North-component winter frontal systems; thermal effect at this specific spot is described as limited because it relies on north-component winds.
- Reliability
- Good during the winter frontal season
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gustiness reported.
- Best Months
- January, February, March, April, December
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Shallow
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Flat — Wave conditions described as flat/very small; some descriptions also note shallow chop.
- Chop Level
- Light chop — Described as shallow, flat, and chop in the local spot listing.
- Launch
- Small — Small grassy and sandy launch area at the edge of the park with nearby trees and power lines.
Through the year
Can be busy with local riders during strong winter north fronts.
Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer; winter/spring cold fronts are the main riding season.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Shallow, flat water in North Bay suitable for beginner to intermediate freeride and foil kitesurfing when winds are from the north. Conditions are described as shallow, flat, and capable of chop; winter north fronts are emphasized. The spot is small and the launch area can be tight/technical due to trees and power lines.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Suitable for windsurfing in north winds, particularly for flat-water blasting and freestyle.
- Sail Sizes
- 5.5–7.5 m²
Possible but requires careful progression/walking out past the shallowest sections to avoid bottom/oyster hazards. Foil-friendliness is reported as limited; sufficient depth may require moving 50-100 meters out.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foil-friendly is described as limited.
- Min Depth
- Requires walking approximately 50-100 meters out to reach sufficient depth
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Carl Grey Park (Panama City) in the full forecast view.
Carl Grey Park (Panama City) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 7–13 ktsGusts 23 kts
- Direction
- NE45°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2513 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.1–0.3 m2s period
- Temperature
- 12–27 °C
Over the next 7 days, Carl Grey Park (Panama City) is forecast for daytime winds of 7–13 kts, peaking around 13 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 23 kts. The prevailing direction is NE. Waves run 0.1–0.3 m with a period of about 2s. 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
- water-quality-advisory-issued-at-times
- oysters
- sharp shells
- power lines
- nearby bridge
- limited launch space
- trees near the launch area
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard presence reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Spot-level rescue was listed as no, but regional baseline notes limited rescue coverage via Coast Guard and local marine units operating within the bay.
- Emergency Info
- Emergency services can be reached by dialing 911.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — No localism reported for this spot.
Rules of the spot
Be mindful of other park users and the boat ramp; do not loft kites near power lines or the road. Avoid kiting too close to the Hathaway Bridge structure.
- water-quality-advisory-may-prohibit-water-activities
- avoid kiting too close to the Hathaway Bridge structure
- Booties are highly recommended due to sharp oyster shells.
- Best when wind is straight from North or Northwest.
- The launch is small and can be tricky because of trees and power lines right at the launch.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Panama City, FL
- Nearest Town
- Panama City
- Parking
- Ample parking available at the park (paved parking lot).
- Access
- From Panama City drive west on US-98. Before you get on Hathaway Bridge, turn right onto Moody Ave, then at its end left on N. Bay Dr. You will see the parking lot and the bay.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous hotels and vacation rentals are available in Panama City and Panama City Beach.
- Food & Drink
- Various restaurants within a short drive on Highway 98; nearby options.
- Equipment Rental:
- No rentals reported directly at the park; rental shops are in the nearby Panama City Beach area.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Carl Grey Park (Panama City)?
The best overall months at Carl Grey Park (Panama City) are January, February, March, April, December.
Which wind directions work at Carl Grey Park (Panama City)?
Carl Grey Park (Panama City) works with N winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Carl Grey Park (Panama City)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Carl Grey Park (Panama City): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 5.5–7.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Carl Grey Park (Panama City) suitable for?
Carl Grey Park (Panama City) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner to Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate.