Haitan Bay
- Freeride, Shortboard
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Chop
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Haitan Bay is a very exposed sandy beach break with fairly consistent small surf. The spot-level surf inputs describe a sandy bottom and lefts/rights, but with low wave quality overall (high “small” share and low “clean” share), so conditions are often best when swell aligns well. For wind sports, the bay is strongly associated with the winter monsoon pattern over the Taiwan Strait, where wind can be both consistent and strong due to regional venturi/funneling effects. Spot-level wind information points to east winds and reports low reliability, while the wider area notes reliable strong autumn–winter winds. Expect gustiness and plan for wind that may run stronger than forecasts. On-water hazards to plan around include strong currents, fishing nets, and the possibility of small wooden stakes near/around the bay edges. The area also sees seasonal rescue support, and lifeguards are not present year-round. During busy periods, avoid sensitive zones that are designated for swimming, and be prepared for restrictions during peak summer holidays. In terms of learning suitability, both surf and kitesurf inputs indicate beginner-friendly access due to beach layout and shallow/sandy approach conditions. Surf is still exposed and can chop up in the windier setups; larger swells may close out when swell rises beyond about 2.5 meters.
- Wide sandy beach with easy launch space
- Exposed beach break with consistent small surf
- Winter monsoon wind pattern can be strong and consistent
- Beginner-friendly learning environment (shallow sandy approach), with chop/currents as key cautions
- Wide, sandy beach with substantial space for launching and setups
- Exposed beach break with fairly consistent surf
- Strong seasonal winds in the winter monsoon make it attractive for wind sports
- Generally manageable conditions for learning on a sandy bottom and shallow-water approach (spot-level description)
- Surf wave quality is reported as poor/low-clean with a high share of small waves
- Strong currents can be present
- Fishing nets and occasional submerged hazards (stakes) may appear near/at the edges
- Wind forecast uncertainty: wind can be stronger than predicted
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E, N, NE, ESE, SE
- Offshore directions
- E
- Wind Range
- 15–35 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Trade/monsoon-driven flow with a venturi/funneling effect from the Taiwan Strait; in summer thermal effects can also contribute.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- January
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–10 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Small — Surf described as small; spot guide indicates most months are dominated by small waves.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Chop increases as wind speed rises (especially for surfing/wave quality).
- Launch
- Big — Very wide, sandy beach with ample space for setup and launching even at high tide.
Through the year
Very crowded with tourists in July and August; quiet and focused on sports during the windy winter months.
Typhoon season typically runs from July to September; extreme conditions and potential closures.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Designed around a vast sandy shoreline and consistent strong winds during the winter monsoon; large flat launching area suitable for training.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–10 m²
Reportedly strong for freeride and slalom with reliable cross-onshore wind conditions (wind varies by season).
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–6 m²
Generally workable on the sandy bottom; chop increases with wind speed.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 3–5 m²
Quite exposed beach break with fairly consistent surf; suitable for beginners due to small wave size and sandy bottom. Reported wave quality is generally low (high small/poor-clean percentage).
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- NNE, NE, E
- Swell Height
- 1–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- East winds can be onshore for the surf; NE wind can improve cross-shore conditions for wind sports but may increase chop on the surf.
- Bigger Swell
- May close out when swell exceeds about 2.5 meters.
- Wave Quality
- Poor — Monthly small percentage is high and clean percentage is low.
- Wave Power
- Soft — Spot-level surf described as soft/low-energy; spot-level quality is reported as poor/low clean percentage.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Spot-level described as mixed; another input characterizes as peeling.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — On good days, rides can be around 50 to 100 meters.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Can offer rides of about 50–100 meters on good days.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Haitan Bay in the full forecast view.
Haitan Bay wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 7–24 ktsGusts 37 kts
- Direction
- NE40°
- Strongest day
- Wed, Oct 2824 kts
- Windy days
- 6/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.8–2.5 m6s period
- Temperature
- 22–26 °C
Over the next 7 days, Haitan Bay is forecast for daytime winds of 7–24 kts, peaking around 24 kts on Wednesday, October 28 with gusts to 37 kts. The prevailing direction is NE. Waves run 0.8–2.5 m with a period of about 6s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
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
- strong currents
- fishing nets
- occasional small wooden stakes (further out/near bay ends)
- beach crowds
- limited rescue availability
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Seasonal rescue services are often provided by local kitesurfing clubs and schools during peak hours.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major medical facility is Pingtan County Hospital; emergency services: 110 (Police), 120 (Ambulance).
Rules of the spot
Avoid designated swimming areas during peak tourist seasons; restrictions may apply in specific tourist zones during peak summer holidays.
- Kiting and surfing may be restricted in specific tourist zones during peak summer holidays.
- Wind can be significantly stronger than forecasted due to compression in the Taiwan Strait.
- Winter air temperatures can feel deceptively cold due to wind chill.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Fuzhou
- Nearest Town
- Pingtan
- Nearest Airport
- Fuzhou Changle International Airport (FOC) about 85 km away
- Parking
- Ample parking available at the Longfengtou Beach entrance.
- Public Transport
- Accessible via high-speed rail to Pingtan Station and local bus networks or taxis within the island.
- Access
- Accessible via the Pingtan Strait Bridge from the mainland; beach is centrally located near the main town area.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Mandarin Chinese
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Numerous hotels across budget to mid-range are within walking distance; accommodation spans along/around Pingtan Island.
- Food & Drink
- Seafood restaurants and local cafes are adjacent to the beach promenade.
- Equipment Rental:
- Rental centers for kitesurfing and surfing gear are available along the main beachfront; equipment rental is widely available through local clubs and centers in the bay area.
- Gear Storage
- Available at local sports clubs.
- Gear Repair
- Basic kite and board repairs can be found at local clubs; larger centers can handle basic sail/kite bladder repairs.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Pingtan Island is a tourism destination on a rugged coastline, known for traditional stone villages and seasonal natural phenomena such as bioluminescent algae.
Seasonal natural phenomenon where waves glow blue at night due to bioluminescent plankton.
Large natural granite rock formations resembling sails rising from the sea.
Traditional stone-house village known for its unique architecture and artistic community.
A large-scale cultural theme park featuring traditional architecture, performances, and shops.
Extensive paved cycling paths offering scenic views along the coastline.
A popular area for fresh, local Fujian-style seafood and night market snacks.
Cultural theme park with performances and traditional architecture.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Haitan Bay?
The best overall months at Haitan Bay are January.
Which wind directions work at Haitan Bay?
Haitan Bay works with E, N, NE, ESE, SE winds. Offshore directions are E.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Haitan Bay?
Recommended equipment sizes at Haitan Bay: Kitesurfing: 7–10 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–6 m² · Wingfoiling: 3–5 m². The typical wind range is 15–35 kts.
What skill level is Haitan Bay suitable for?
Haitan Bay suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner.