Spy House (Middletown)

Spy House is a small, bay-side wind sports launch on the sandy shore of Raritan Bay (near Sandy Hook Bay) in Port Monmouth / Middletown Township. Conditions are typically shallow and flat-to-choppy, with cloudy water and a small beach. Launching is done from a gravel/grass parking area by the bay side, with rigging on grass near the waterline. For wind, the spot is most consistently workable during spring and fall. The best months reported are March, April, May, September, October, November, and December, with preferred wind directions spanning NE through NW (NE, ENE, E, W, WNW, and NW). Providers note a moderate wind range (about 15–25 knots) and that wind reliability is weather-front dependent; gusts are described as moderate. Safety is a key consideration here. Hazards reported include a nearby bridge and submerged/old wooden pilings and jetty/structure areas. The beach can become narrow at high tide, so plan your timing and route carefully. Local guidance highlights that the spot stays shallow for a long distance—watch especially for pilings stick-ups—and recommends avoiding south winds due to offshore, extremely gusty behavior. If lifeguards are present, kiting is restricted in designated swimming areas. Sport-wise, kitesurfing is the best-fit: freeride and wave-style riding are both described, and the shallow water helps with progression. Windsurfing and wing foiling are also possible, but foilers must walk farther out to avoid bottom obstacles; foil friendliness is described as limited. Wetsuit needs vary with season: summer is reported as warm/nice, while fall/spring generally require longer wetsuits and winter requires thicker insulation.