East Point (Mackay)

KitesurfingWingfoiling
Freeride, Foil
Best for
Beginner
Skill Level
Flat, Shallow, Swell, Mixed
Spot Type
Quiet
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 this spot

About

East Point (Mackay) is a low-profile kitesurfing location built around a large sandy beach and very changeable tidal conditions. Sessions are largely about picking the right tide: when depth is sufficient, riders can access smooth, flat water in the shallows, while small wave energy can show up further out. Wind is primarily driven by South-East trade winds, and the best sessions are typically associated with SE (with NE also highlighted as a strong direction). During the cooler months, trades are described as the most reliable wind pattern; in summer, lighter afternoon sea-breeze activity can develop, sometimes favoring NE. The main safety focus is wildlife and marine hazards. Marine stingers are seasonal and require a stinger suit in the warmer months (reported from October through April/May depending on source). In addition, shipping and port-area vessel activity is a key consideration—riders should stay aware of the shipping channel/port boundaries and plan their launch/ride area accordingly. Conditions are generally described as crystal-clear (with clarity that can vary regionally due to tidal movement), shallow-to-varied depth depending on tide, and no dedicated lifeguard coverage at the spot. The nearest major medical facility is in Mackay, so it’s important to be self-sufficient and tide-aware before launching.

  • SE trade-wind kitesurfing with strong direction consistency
  • Butter-flat shallows reported on outgoing tides
  • Large tidal range that reshapes riding depth and launch options
  • Crystal-clear water reported, though clarity can vary with tides
Great for
Kitesurfing freerideKitesurfing foilKitesurfing freestyleWingfoil freeride
What's great
  • Large sandy beach with easy access once at the point
  • SE trade winds with good reliability during the trade season
  • Often very flat and clean in suitable tidal windows, plus small-wave options further out
Heads up
  • Strong tidal currents and rapidly changing depth with the large tidal range
  • Seasonal marine stingers
  • Shipping activity and vessels near the port/approach
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Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
SE, NE, E
Wind Range
15–28 kts
Wind Type
Trade — South-East trade winds; summer can also bring lighter afternoon sea breezes.
Reliability
good during trade wind season
Gust Factor
Steady
Best Months
May, June, July, August, September, October
Recommended Kite Sizes
9–12 m²

Water & beach

Water Type
Flat, Shallow, Swell, Mixed
Beach
Sand — Sand beach/sand-spit with wide launch possibilities.
Beach Size
Big
Waves
Small — Small waves reported further out; shallows are often butter-flat.
Chop Level
Light chop — Flat to slight chop depending on tide and location in the water.
Launch
Medium — Sand-spit/large sandy beach; shallow water and tide-dependent options.

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
20–28 °C
Water Temperature
14–30 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Oct–Apr: stinger suitMay–Sep: 2mm or 3/2mm full suit for winter
Crowds by Season

Generally quiet; popular with locals on weekends.

Storm/Rain Season

December to March

By sport

What to expect for each.

KitesurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

Butter-flat, clean water reported in the shallows on outgoing tides, with small waves further out; conditions are generally described as versatile for freeride, foil and freestyle.

FreestyleFreerideFoilWave
Kite Sizes
9–12 m²
WingfoilingSkill Level

Suitable for wingfoiling with a focus on having enough depth; recommended especially mid-to-high tide over the sandbanks. SE winds are preferred.

Foil Friendly
Yes
Min Depth
shallow
Wing Sizes
4–6 m²
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

See wind, waves, weather and session windows for East Point (Mackay) in the full forecast view.

East Point (Mackay) wind and wave forecast summary

Wind
3–10 ktsGusts 19 kts
Direction
NE35°
Strongest day
Sat, Oct 2410 kts
Windy days
0/712 kts or more
Waves
0.2–0.6 m5s period
Temperature
23–29 °C

Over the next 7 days, East Point (Mackay) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–10 kts, peaking around 10 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 19 kts. The prevailing direction is NE. Waves run 0.2–0.6 m with a period of about 5s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

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

  • marine stingers
  • jellyfish
  • ships
  • sharks
  • crocodiles
  • heavy shipping traffic
Ability Level: Beginner
Recommended Safety Gear
HelmetImpact vestBootsWetsuit

Rescue & support

Rescue & Self-Rescue
Limited — No dedicated kite-specific rescue service; general maritime rescue coverage is reported for the region.
Emergency Info
Mackay Base Hospital is the nearest major medical facility.

Rules of the spot

Be aware of the shipping channel and port boundaries. Check tide before launching; better conditions are reported on outgoing tides when depth is sufficient.

Restrictions
  • Seasonal stinger-suit requirement (reported October to April / October to May depending on source).
  • Session planning required around strong tidal currents and shifting depth.
Local Tips
  • Stinger suit required October to April due to marine stingers; otherwise shorts are typically fine.
  • Check tide charts before launching; the beach and depth change significantly with the large tidal range, and conditions are reported best below about 3m on outgoing.

Getting there & access

Nearest City
Mackay
Nearest Town
Mackay
Nearest Airport
Mackay Airport (MKY)
Parking
Limited informal parking at the end of the access track
Public Transport
Public bus services operate within Mackay, but a rental car is typically required for coastal access
Access
Dirt/sand road to the Point; any car is fine as long as you keep on the track (reported 4WD access in some reports). Parking is limited/informal at the end of the access track.
Cost Level
Moderate
Local Language
English
Amenities

What's on the beach

Parking
Accommodation
Nearby town — Various hotels and caravan parks are available in Mackay and near the harbour.
Food & Drink
Restaurants and shops are available at/near Mackay Marina.
Equipment Rental:
Local kite shops in Mackay may provide rentals.
Gear Storage
Generally not available at public beach areas; most riders store gear at local accommodation.
Gear Repair
Basic repair services are available via local kiteboarding schools and sail makers in the marina district.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

Latest reported conditions

Spot questions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best season at East Point (Mackay)?

The best overall months at East Point (Mackay) are May, June, July, August, September, October.

Which wind directions work at East Point (Mackay)?

East Point (Mackay) works with SE, NE, E winds.

What equipment sizes are recommended at East Point (Mackay)?

Recommended equipment sizes at East Point (Mackay): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–28 kts.

What skill level is East Point (Mackay) suitable for?

East Point (Mackay) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner · Wingfoiling: Intermediate.