Neve Yam (Stal Beach)
- Freeride, Shortboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Chop, Ocean
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Neve Yam (also known as Stal Beach) is a large sandy beach in Hof HaCarmel that supports both kitesurfing and surfing. The water is typically choppy with small surf, and the spot’s northern end is influenced by submerged shipwreck remnants (the “Stal”), which can shape wave quality for surfers. For kitesurfing, sessions are especially associated with strong easterly wind days. Wind reliability is described as moderate overall, with a typical seasonal best window spanning March, April, May, September, October, and November. Note that the wind can be very strong and gusty, with possible wind swirls—so riders should be comfortable with abrupt wind changes and manage launch/landing carefully. Surf conditions are described as an exposed beach break with average wave quality and peeling wave faces. The best waves are often found just south of the shipwreck remnants, with wave directions reported as both lefts and rights. The break can handle larger winter swell, but it may become heavy and disorganized on bigger days. Safety planning matters here: submerged wreck parts and submerged rocky patches are present near the northern/kibbutz-side areas, and stronger currents can develop during winter storms and high swell periods. Lifeguards are described as seasonal and rescue availability as limited, so self-rescue and situational awareness are important. Also, obey local restrictions such as no kitesurfing in designated swimming zones and avoid launching directly in front of swimming/water-park areas during peak summer hours.
- Kite days on strong easterly wind
- Surf shaped by the northern ‘Stal’ shipwreck remnants
- Large sandy launch and easy access
- Large sandy launch area with easy access for wind sports.
- Surf can be consistent as a beach break, with the shipwreck shaping the northern-end waves.
- Good temperature range for sessions from shoulder seasons into warmer months (with wetsuit guidance).
- Wind can be very strong and gusty on kitesurfing days; watch for wind swirls.
- Northern end has submerged shipwreck remnants; avoid shallow/rocky areas near the kibbutz side.
- Currents can become an issue during winter storms/high swell; rescue is limited and lifeguards are seasonal.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E, W, NW, N
- Offshore directions
- E, N, NE, NW
- Wind Range
- 12–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Mixed — Eastern winds are highlighted for kitesurfing days; the region also has an afternoon thermal sea-breeze pattern.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — One source also describes strong/gusty conditions for kitesurfing days.
- Best Months
- March, April, May, September, October, November
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Small — One guide describes small waves; surf sources also describe short-to-medium length rides.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Water is described as choppy; can become very choppy with northerly winds.
- Launch
- Big — Wide sandy beach with ample space for kiters and easy access for gear handling.
Through the year
Busy on weekends and during summer holidays; relatively quiet on weekdays.
December to February (rain and heavy storms).
By sport
What to expect for each.
A spacious sandy launch/entry that is especially known for kitesurfing on strong easterly wind days; water is typically choppy with small waves.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Good for bump and jump and wave riding during winter storm fronts; beach access supports easy gear handling.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–6.5 m²
Wingfoiling is suited to the open water and manageable shore break, but riders should be mindful of submerged wreck remnants.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil-friendly.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Stal Beach (Neve Yam) is a beach break with a named focus on the northern end near shipwreck remnants, producing quality lefts and rights when conditions align.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- W, NW
- Swell Height
- 0.5–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — Optimal tide is described as all-tides.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed beach-break setup; can handle larger winter swells but the break may become heavy/disorganized.
- Wind Effect
- Best with light offshore winds from the East or calm conditions; North winds can make the water very choppy.
- Bigger Swell
- Can handle larger winter swells, but the break can become heavy and disorganized.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Overall wave quality described as average.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Moderate power.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peeling wave face.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Short to medium waves that can connect well on clean West swells.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Waves are generally short to medium length, but can connect well during clean West swells.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Neve Yam (Stal Beach) in the full forecast view.
Neve Yam (Stal Beach) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–12 ktsGusts 22 kts
- Direction
- NW310°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2412 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.3–1.7 m5s period
- Temperature
- 19–28 °C
Over the next 7 days, Neve Yam (Stal Beach) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–12 kts, peaking around 12 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 22 kts. The prevailing direction is NW. Waves run 0.3–1.7 m with a period of about 5s. 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
- Submerged shipwreck remnants (the 'Stal') at the northern end
- Rocky patches submerged near the kibbutz side
- Strong winds and potential wind swirls
- Moderate rip currents can form during winter storms and high swell periods
- Strong currents during high winter swell
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguards are described.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue is described as limited for the area.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major medical facilities are located in Haifa (about 20 minutes away). Emergency numbers: 100 (police), 101 (medical).
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Described as mild localism.
Rules of the spot
No kitesurfing in designated swimming zones. Avoid kite launching directly in front of swimming areas or the water park during peak summer hours. Check whether kitesurfing is allowed and whether any permit or membership requirement applies.
- No kitesurfing in designated swimming zones
- Kitesurfing may require a special permit or membership from a local kite organization
- Avoid kite launching directly in front of swimming areas or the water park during peak summer hours
- For surfing, the best waves are often found just south of the old shipwreck remnants.
- Check whether kitesurfing is allowed for your session and whether a special permit or local membership is required.
- If wind is very southerly, expect minor turbulence close to Kibbutz Neve Yam buildings.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Haifa
- Nearest Town
- Atlit
- Nearest Airport
- Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport (TLV)
- Parking
- Large parking lot near the beach entrance and the water park; described also as located after crossing the railroad along HaYam Road.
- Public Transport
- Coastal railway connections (stations in Atlit and Haifa) plus regular bus services along Highway 4
- Access
- From the south: take the Tel-Aviv–Haifa road (Route 2), pass Givat Olga, Hadera, and Zikhron Ya'aqov; exit at Atlit's junction onto Route 721 (Bet-Oren–Atlit), turn left, continue to crossroads. From the north: pass Haifa Mall on Route 2, exit at Atlit's junction, turn right on Route 721, then left toward HaYam Road past the gas station; pass Penta-Market, Doris's drugstore, red houses, cross the railroad, and arrive at the beach parking lot. Beach access is via the southern yellow gate of Kibbutz Neve Yam.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Hebrew
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Kibbutz Neve Yam offers guest rooms and camping options nearby; broader regional context also notes accommodation in Haifa and surrounding areas.
- Food & Drink
- A few cafes and seasonal restaurants are located near the beach and within the kibbutz.
- Equipment Rental:
- No permanent rental shops on the beach; visitors should bring their own gear. Equipment rental is available through major centers/clubs in Haifa/along the Carmel coast (regional context).
- Gear Storage
- Storage is mainly provided by larger water sports centers and clubs on the main beaches (regional context).
- Gear Repair
- Professional repair services are available in the Haifa/Atlit area via specialized workshops (regional context).
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 Neve Yam (Stal Beach)?
The best overall months at Neve Yam (Stal Beach) are April, May, September, October. The best wind months are March, April, May, September, October, November.
Which wind directions work at Neve Yam (Stal Beach)?
Neve Yam (Stal Beach) works with E, W, NW, N winds. Offshore directions are E, N, NE, NW.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Neve Yam (Stal Beach)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Neve Yam (Stal Beach): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–6.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 12–25 kts.
What skill level is Neve Yam (Stal Beach) suitable for?
Neve Yam (Stal Beach) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner.