Nicholson Avenue (Waveland Coast)
- Freeride, Freeride
- Best for
- Intermediate
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Nicholson Avenue (Waveland Coast) is described as a low-profile Gulf Coast kitesurfing launch with choppy water over a tidal beach. Water quality is reported as clean in baseline spot data, while another provider summary describes it as fair. Wind is most consistently noted from the SE, with the best months reported as January through May and also November and December. Typical kitesurfing conditions are framed around winter/spring systems and lighter southerly sea-breeze influence in warmer periods; a mild afternoon sea-breeze pattern is noted for late spring to early summer. Safety considerations are a key part of this spot: wave breakers and a nearby bridge are repeatedly flagged hazards. Additional localized risks mentioned include riprap/rocks, power lines near the rigging area, and pier/structure-related hazards. Avoid launching/landing near moving traffic and do not launch too close to the public pier. For riding suitability, the spot is most aligned with intermediate skill for kitesurfing and windsurfing, with wingfoiling described as possible but limited by shallow bottom—requiring riders to walk out past the shallowest sections. Practical guidance highlights working the beach at low to mid tide and monitoring power lines when setting up.
- SE winds across winter/spring and again in late fall
- Choppy, tidal water with strong emphasis on rider awareness near hazards
- Afternoon sea-breeze character in late spring/early summer
- Best winds are commonly reported from the SE
- Chop on relatively shallow tidal water can suit progression and freeride/foil styles when wind is right
- Seasonally active spring window is described as producing beautiful weather early in the year
- Hazards near the launch include wave breakers and a nearby bridge
- Shallow/tidal beach and shore-adjacent structures can create launch and riding complexity
- Water quality is reported as not consistently clean (fair in at least one provider summary)
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SE
- Wind Range
- 12–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Mixed — Primary best wind direction is SE; broader pattern can vary (SE, S, SW noted) with winter/spring frontal influence and lighter southerly sea-breeze character in warmer months.
- Reliability
- moderate; dependent on winter cold fronts and spring pressure gradients
- Gust Factor
- Steady
- Best Months
- January, February, March, April, May, November, December
- Shadow Zones
- Some turbulence behind the sea wall when launching at high tide is noted.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Tidal
- Waves
- Small — Small wave conditions are described in one provider summary.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Chop is the primary water characterization.
- Launch
- Narrow sandy beach or grassy area near the sea wall is mentioned; additional turbulence can occur behind the sea wall at high tide.
Through the year
Usually low to moderate; busiest on weekends during windy spring fronts.
June to November is hurricane season; frequent afternoon thunderstorms in summer are noted.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Choppy conditions with best winds from the SE. Suitable primarily for intermediate-to-experienced riders because of hazards including wave breakers and a nearby bridge.
Suitable for windsurfing, particularly for shallow-water freeride/foil; kitesurfing is described as more prevalent.
- Sail Sizes
- 5.5–7.5 m²
Possible, but shallow sections require walking out far enough to avoid grounding.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foil-friendly conditions are described as limited; riders must manage shallow bottom.
- Min Depth
- 0.8m after walking out
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Nicholson Avenue (Waveland Coast) in the full forecast view.
Nicholson Avenue (Waveland Coast) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–11 ktsGusts 21 kts
- Direction
- E82°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2411 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.2–0.5 m2s period
- Temperature
- 15–25 °C
Over the next 7 days, Nicholson Avenue (Waveland Coast) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–11 kts, peaking around 11 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 21 kts. The prevailing direction is E. Waves run 0.2–0.5 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
- Wave breaker
- Bridge
- Riprap/rocks
- Power lines
- Oyster shells
- Pier structures
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — No dedicated on-water rescue service is indicated; regional response handled by US Coast Guard Station Gulfport and local marine patrols.
- Emergency Info
- Dial 911 for emergencies; nearest hospital reported as Ochsner Medical Center - Hancock in Bay St. Louis.
Rules of the spot
Be mindful of traffic near Beach Boulevard; do not launch or land kites near moving traffic. Launch too close to the public pier is restricted.
- Launching prohibited too close to the public pier.
- Do not launch or land near moving traffic on/near Beach Boulevard.
- Best at low to mid tide when there is more beach to work with.
- Watch for power lines that run parallel to the rigging area across the road.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Waveland
- Nearest Town
- Bay St. Louis
- Parking
- Parallel parking is available along Beach Boulevard near the launch area.
- Access
- Get to Waveland and exit 90 onto Nicholson Avenue and drive south until you hit the water at Beach Boulevard.
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Vacation rentals in Waveland or hotels in Bay St. Louis are mentioned.
- Food & Drink
- Local restaurants and gas stations are described as located a few blocks inland on Nicholson Ave or Highway 90.
- Equipment Rental:
- Limited rental options are described via regional mobile schools and shops in the broader Gulfport-Biloxi area.
- Gear Storage
- Dedicated gear storage facilities are generally not available at public beach access points.
- Gear Repair
- No specialized kite/sail repair shops are described for Waveland; minor repairs are handled by shops in larger nearby cities or via mail-in services.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A quiet, family-friendly Mississippi Sound destination with nearby Bay St. Louis arts and coastal dining.
A NASA-affiliated museum featuring space artifacts and interactive science exhibits.
A historic district known for its art galleries, boutique shopping, and preserved coastal architecture.
Offers camping, nature trails, and a water park located directly on the Gulf of Mexico.
Provides waterfront dining and entertainment options including a buffet and steakhouse.
A museum dedicated to the history and recovery efforts following Hurricane Katrina.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Nicholson Avenue (Waveland Coast)?
The best overall months at Nicholson Avenue (Waveland Coast) are March, April, May, October, November. The best wind months are January, February, March, April, May, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Nicholson Avenue (Waveland Coast)?
Nicholson Avenue (Waveland Coast) works with SE winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Nicholson Avenue (Waveland Coast)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Nicholson Avenue (Waveland Coast): Windsurfing: 5.5–7.5 m². The typical wind range is 12–25 kts.
What skill level is Nicholson Avenue (Waveland Coast) suitable for?
Nicholson Avenue (Waveland Coast) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate.