Long Point Key (Curry Hammock State Park)

KitesurfingWindsurfingWingfoiling
Freeride, Wave
Best for
Beginner
Skill Level
Flat, Shallow
Spot Type
Busy
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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

Long Point Key (within Curry Hammock State Park) is a small, shallow, crystal-clear Atlantic flat that’s best known for kitesurfing. The water is described as shallow and flat for learning and progression, with a small sandy beach and easy/grass staging options for rigging and launching (depending on tide/approach). Winds in the main season are generally from the southeast through south, with typical kite ranges reported around 12–25 knots and a thermal/sea-breeze component that can add a few knots on sunny days. For kitesurfing, the spot is repeatedly framed as beginner-to-freeride friendly in winter, provided you follow strict access and safety rules: keep clear of shore, swimmers, and kayaks (including a 300-foot separation), and do not fly kites over the campground/beach. Local hazards include stingrays and jellyfish in the shallows, plus sharp shells/objects on the bottom and Portuguese man o’ wars; booties and careful movement in the water are emphasized. A wave breaker is specifically highlighted as a local condition to account for. Launch conditions can be influenced by mangroves/campground structures and by the tide. One provider notes that extremely low tides can make the area too shallow even for kiting, and that mid- to high-tide improves usable depth. Another dataset also indicates that cross-shore directions can create minor turbulence close to the beach, so the safest approach is to launch from the designated/appropriate side of the staging area. Winter cold fronts may briefly reduce temperatures (water around the low 70s °F range is cited for winter cold fronts), making a shorty/warm layer advisable then; in warmer months, wetsuits are generally described as unnecessary. There are no lifeguards, and summer brings hurricane risk—so checking alerts and securing/evacuating gear when conditions change is recommended.

  • Crystal-clear shallow flats for progression
  • SE–S to SW wind window with winter consistency
  • Strict separation rules from shore/swimmers and no-kite-over-campground enforcement
  • Shallow-water hazards (stingrays/jellyfish/sharp objects) and wave-breaker considerations
Great for
Kitesurfing freerideKitesurfing waveKitesurfing foilKitesurfing freestyleWindsurfing freerideWindsurfing foilWingfoil freerideWingfoil freestyleKitesurfing big air
What's great
  • Crystal-clear, shallow-flat water that’s very progression-friendly.
  • SE–S to SW winds in winter months are the core window; typically steady with a thermal/sea-breeze component.
  • Convenient staging area for kite rigging/launch, with rules that keep swimmers separated.
Heads up
  • No lifeguards—swim/paddle at your own risk.
  • Shallow flats can become too shallow at low tide.
  • Sensitive launch space/tight access; mangroves and a wave breaker affect conditions.
  • Shallow-water hazards (stingrays/jellyfish/sharp objects) require protection.
Was this description helpful?
Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
SE, SSE, S, SW
Wind Range
12–25 kts
Wind Type
Thermal — Sea-breeze/thermal component with reported 5–10 knots additive boost on sunny days; “kicks in late morning, dies late afternoon” (also described as sea-breeze Apr–Oct in one provider).
Reliability
60–70% of days in peak season (one dataset); high during winter months (October–May) when cold fronts/trade winds are active (another dataset).
Gust Factor
Steady — Steady winds reported in one dataset; gusts described as light-gusts in another.
Best Months
January, February, March, April, May, October, November, December
Recommended Kite Sizes
10–16 m²

Water & beach

Water Type
Flat, Shallow
Beach
Sand — Sand reported (one dataset) with mixed bottom hazards/patches described (another dataset).
Beach Size
Small
Waves
Flat — Wave size described as flat/flat surf at the spot level.
Chop Level
Light chop — Generally flat water; one provider describes flat water while another notes wave breakers/jetties and shallow-water impacts at the margins.
Launch
Big — Large grass staging area for rigging and launch, with a smaller dedicated beach area; one dataset also describes a narrow sandy beach lined with mangroves and tighter launch space.

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
21–31 °C
Water Temperature
60–90 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Dec–Mar: 3/2mmDec, Jan, Feb: 1-2mm shorty
Crowds by Season

Peak Jan–May and Oct–Dec; summer Jun–Sep is quieter due to lighter winds.

Storm/Rain Season

June–September (hurricane season)

By sport

What to expect for each.

KitesurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

Shallow, flat, crystal-clear water with an easy/large grass staging area for rigging and launch; progression-friendly but launch space can be tight depending on how/where you rig. A wave breaker and shallow depth/tide sensitivity are key considerations.

FreestyleFreerideWaveFoil
Kite Sizes
10–16 m²
WindsurfingSkill Level

Suitable for freeride/foil; shallow flats with limited space and possible need for drift launch. Short fins recommended to avoid bottom contact.

FreerideFoilSlalom
Sail Sizes
5–7.5 m²
WingfoilingSkill Level

Foil-friendly but limited by shallow depth: feasible mainly further out where water deepens enough; booties help with bottom hazards.

Foil Friendly
Limited — One provider calls it foil-friendly; another describes limited foil feasibility due to depth and seagrass/bottom proximity.
Min Depth
shallow
Wing Sizes
4–6 m²
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Long Point Key (Curry Hammock State Park) in the full forecast view.

Long Point Key (Curry Hammock State Park) wind and wave forecast summary

Wind
9–21 ktsGusts 28 kts
Direction
NE41°
Strongest day
Mon, Oct 2621 kts
Windy days
7/712 kts or more
Waves
0.1–0.5 m2s period
Temperature
23–27 °C

Over the next 7 days, Long Point Key (Curry Hammock State Park) is forecast for daytime winds of 9–21 kts, peaking around 21 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 28 kts. The prevailing direction is NE. Waves run 0.1–0.5 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

  • Wave breaker
  • Portuguese man o' wars
  • Shells and sharp objects on bottom
  • Stingrays
  • Jellyfish
  • Strong/variable currents and undertow
  • No-lifeguards
  • Mangroves
  • Power lines if drifting too far downwind
  • Wave breakers/jetties
  • Campground fence
  • Kayaks and swimmers nearby
Ability Level: Beginner
Recommended Safety Gear
BootsImpact vestHarnessLeash

Rescue & support

Lifeguard
None — No lifeguards reported.
Rescue & Self-Rescue
No — Spot-level providers state no rescue availability; regional context describes rescue as limited.
Emergency Info
No lifeguards. Nearest hospital mentioned as Marathon Memorial Hospital (per one provider) / Fishermen's Community Hospital in Marathon (per another provider). Emergency: 911. Ranger Station phone mentioned: 305-289-2690.
Localism / Vibe
None — Localism described as none in provider safety notes.

Rules of the spot

Stay 300 feet away from shore, swimmers, and kayaks. Never fly your kite over the campground or beach. Only set up in designated areas. Wrap lines when the kite isn’t used.

Restrictions
  • No kite over the campground or beach.
  • Stay 300 ft from shore.
  • Stay 300 ft from swimmers/kayaks.
  • Only set up in designated areas.
  • Daylight-hours-only (per one provider).
  • Entrance fee per vehicle mentioned (per one provider).
Local Tips
  • Shuffle your feet in shallow water to avoid stingrays/jellyfish.
  • Wear booties for shells and sharp objects.
  • Launch/rig in the designated staging area and, if needed, walk the kite out into shallow water before launching to avoid mangroves.
  • Launch mid- to high tide for best depth; extremely low tides can make the area too shallow.
  • Arrive early: parking is limited; secure gear and check hurricane alerts during summer.

Getting there & access

Nearest City
Marathon
Nearest Town
Islamorada
Parking
Limited parking; arrive early, especially weekends. No overflow area mentioned by one provider.
Access
Drive US 1 toward Key West; park entrance at Mile Marker 56.2 (ocean side). Stay left after entering; limited parking—arrive early.
Cost Level
Moderate
Local Language
English
Amenities

What's on the beach

Showers
Toilets
Parking
Picnic area
Playground
Restaurant
Bar
Camping
Wi-Fi
Fresh water
Changing rooms
Accommodation
Near — Camping is available within Curry Hammock State Park; hotels and rentals in Marathon/Islamorada nearby.
Food & Drink
Picnic pavilions with grills; soda machines available. No restaurants on-site; nearest food in Marathon/Islamorada.
Equipment Rental:
Equipment rental mentioned as generally not available for kite/windsurf gear; kayak/paddleboard rentals sometimes available.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

The area

Off the water

Best time to visit: Best riding wind/conditions are generally winter (November to April, with peak Jan–May and Oct–Dec).
Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

Latest reported conditions

Spot questions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best season at Long Point Key (Curry Hammock State Park)?

The best overall months at Long Point Key (Curry Hammock State Park) are January, February, March, April, May, October, November, December.

Which wind directions work at Long Point Key (Curry Hammock State Park)?

Long Point Key (Curry Hammock State Park) works with SE, SSE, S, SW winds.

What equipment sizes are recommended at Long Point Key (Curry Hammock State Park)?

Recommended equipment sizes at Long Point Key (Curry Hammock State Park): Kitesurfing: 10–16 m² · Windsurfing: 5–7.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 12–25 kts.

What skill level is Long Point Key (Curry Hammock State Park) suitable for?

Long Point Key (Curry Hammock State Park) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner to Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Beginner to Intermediate.