Ibis Bay (Key West)
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
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
- 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
- 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
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
Can get busy during winter weekends and holidays.
Hurricane season runs from June through November.
By sport
What to expect for each.
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.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–14 m²
Possible in the bay, but very shallow water near shore and seagrass can make it challenging for longer fins.
- Sail Sizes
- 5.5–7.5 m²
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
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.
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
- 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
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.
- Fee for beach access may apply for non-resort guests.
- Kiting into private resort dock areas is prohibited.
- 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
What's on the beach
- 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.
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 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.