Ibis Bay (Key West)

KitesurfingWindsurfingWingfoiling
Freeride, Freestyle
Best for
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 this spot

About

Ibis Bay (Key West) is a small, shallow flat-water kitesurfing location with crystal-clear conditions, set within a sheltered bay area. The shallow flats strongly affect where you can ride and how safely you can jump—getting the tide right matters, and the launch space is limited. Wind at Ibis Bay is most reliably usable in winter and shoulder months, with best months including January through June and then October through December. The commonly workable wind directions span North through South/Southeast (including N, NNE, NE, ENE, E, ESE, SE, and SSE, plus S and SSW), and riders often plan around these directions for the most consistent sessions. Safety is a major focus at this spot. Power lines sit directly behind the launch—kite control while walking out is critical—and jet ski activity nearby is frequently described as intense. Riders are advised to avoid the swimmer zones and to use a safety system, with launch/landing zones managed to protect other beach users and resort guests. For progression, the spot is generally aimed at intermediate riders, especially for kitesurfing freestyle and freeride, with foil possible when conditions and water depth allow. Windsurfing can be attempted in the bay but shallow shore areas and seagrass can make it difficult to use longer fins; wingfoiling is generally limited and typically only feasible at high tide and further from shore.

  • Shallow, flat, protected water for flat-water practice
  • Crystal-clear water visibility
  • Primary wind window includes North through Northeast directions
  • Power lines and jet ski traffic create an elevated safety awareness requirement
Great for
Kitesurfing freerideKitesurfing freestyleKitesurfing foilWindsurfing freeride
What's great
  • Shallow, flat, protected water ideal for freestyle progression and learning
  • Crystal-clear water
  • Strong suitability for North to Northeast wind days
  • On-site amenities and access for riders
Heads up
  • Narrow launch area can feel crowded quickly
  • Very shallow water near shore limits big air and many activities, especially at low tide
  • Power lines directly behind the launch require extra caution
  • Heavy nearby jet ski traffic in the channel
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Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
N, NNE, NE, ENE, E, ESE, SE, SSE, S, SSW
Wind Range
12–25 kts
Wind Type
Thermal — Light sea breezes can occur in the afternoon during late spring; winter/spring features higher winter-front reliability.
Reliability
High during the winter frontal season; moderate in spring.
Gust Factor
Moderate gusts
Best Months
January, February, March, April, May, October, November, December
Shadow Zones
South and West winds are heavily blocked by the island's buildings and vegetation.

Water & beach

Water Type
Flat, Shallow
Beach
Sand — Sand bottom; launch is on a sandy beach strip.
Beach Size
Small
Waves
Flat — Wave size is described as flat.
Launch
Small — A narrow sandy beach strip located at the resort, with limited space for multiple kites.
Launch Difficulty
Moderate — Moderate due to narrow launch space and power lines/traffic management.

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
21–31 °C
Water Temperature
18–32 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Jan, Feb, Dec: 3/2mmMar–Nov: 2mm shorty
Crowds by Season

Can get busy during winter weekends and holidays.

Storm/Rain Season

Hurricane season runs from June through November.

By sport

What to expect for each.

KitesurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

Flat, shallow water in a sheltered bay makes Ibis Bay well-suited for progression and freestyle, with crystal-clear conditions. The launch area is narrow and requires careful handling due to power lines and close jet ski activity nearby.

FreestyleFreerideFoil
Kite Sizes
9–14 m²
WindsurfingSkill Level

Possible in the bay, but very shallow water near shore and seagrass can make it challenging for longer fins.

FreestyleFreeride
Sail Sizes
5.5–7.5 m²
WingfoilingSkill Level

Limited by extremely shallow bay conditions; foiling is generally only feasible at high tide and further out from the launch area.

Foil Friendly
Limited — Generally feasible only at high tide and farther from shore.
Min Depth
0.8 meters
Wing Sizes
4–6 m²
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Ibis Bay (Key West) in the full forecast view.

Ibis Bay (Key West) wind and wave forecast summary

Wind
10–21 ktsGusts 26 kts
Direction
NE43°
Strongest day
Tue, Oct 2721 kts
Windy days
6/712 kts or more
Waves
0.2–0.8 m2s period
Temperature
24–28 °C

Over the next 7 days, Ibis Bay (Key West) is forecast for daytime winds of 10–21 kts, peaking around 21 kts on Tuesday, October 27 with gusts to 26 kts. The prevailing direction is NE. Waves run 0.2–0.8 m with a period of about 2s. 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

  • Power lines behind the beach
  • Jetskis
  • High-speed jet ski traffic in the nearby channel
  • Shallow water/rocks near shore
  • Boat docks
  • Sea urchins
  • Limited space at the narrow launch strip
  • Slippery bottom and occasional debris
Ability Level: Intermediate
Recommended Safety Gear
Impact vestBoots

Rescue & support

Rescue & Self-Rescue
Limited — Regional U.S. Coast Guard coverage exists; spot-level rescue is described as limited.
Emergency Info
Nearest medical facility is Lower Keys Medical Center.

Rules of the spot

Beware of power lines directly behind the launch; keep your kite low when walking to the water. Don't ride in swimmer zones. Kiters must have a safety system. Launch/land in designated zones to avoid resort guests.

Restrictions
  • Fee for beach access may apply for non-resort guests.
  • Kiting into private resort dock areas is prohibited.
Local Tips
  • Keep your kite low when walking toward the water due to power lines directly behind the launch.
  • Watch out for the power lines on North winds which blow toward the road.
  • Stay away from the main channel to reduce conflict with tour groups and jet skis.
  • The bottom can be slippery; booties are recommended.
  • Best at mid to high tide to avoid hitting the bottom during jumps.

Getting there & access

Nearest City
Key West
Nearest Town
Key West
Nearest Airport
Key West International Airport (EYW)
Parking
Limited parking available at the resort or along nearby side streets.
Public Transport
Key West Transit provides local bus services; taxis/ride-share and bicycle/scooter rentals are also common.
Access
Accessible via North Roosevelt Blvd; launch located on the grounds of the Ibis Bay Beach Resort.
Cost Level
Moderate
Local Language
English
Amenities

What's on the beach

Showers
Toilets
Parking
Restaurant
Bar
Accommodation
Direct — Accommodation is directly at the spot via the Ibis Bay Beach Resort.
Food & Drink
On-site dining includes a restaurant and a poolside bar.
Equipment Rental:
Rental gear available through the on-site kite school.
Gear Storage
Lockers may be available for resort guests or through the kite school.
Gear Repair
Minor repairs can sometimes be handled by local school staff.
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 Ibis Bay (Key West)?

The best overall months at Ibis Bay (Key West) are December, January, February, March. The best wind months are January, February, March, April, May, October, November, December.

Which wind directions work at Ibis Bay (Key West)?

Ibis Bay (Key West) works with N, NNE, NE, ENE, E, ESE, SE, SSE, S, SSW winds.

What equipment sizes are recommended at Ibis Bay (Key West)?

Recommended equipment sizes at Ibis Bay (Key West): Kitesurfing: 9–14 m² · Windsurfing: 5.5–7.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 12–25 kts.

What skill level is Ibis Bay (Key West) suitable for?

Ibis Bay (Key West) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Advanced.