The Flats (Sailfish Point)
- Freeride, Foil
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Flat, Shallow, Ocean, Mixed
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
The Flats (Sailfish Point) is a shallow, small, clean flat-water destination best known for kitesurfing, with riding conditions tied closely to tide and sandbar depth. Water over the main flats is shallow, so riders typically plan around the available depth and changing bottom shape that can vary session to session. Wind is commonly favorable with directions including SE, W, and NW, and the most consistently cited months are March and April. Sources also describe a broader warm-season pattern where spring and summer sea-breeze development supports an afternoon peak window (roughly late morning through early evening, with one cited thermal window of 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM). Access is a major part of the spot: you generally need to arrive by boat, with no public/land access through the private Sailfish Point community. One exception described is if you know someone affiliated with the Sailfish Point Golf Club, in which case swimming entry may be possible; otherwise boats/rentals are typically arranged from the nearby Port Salerno area. Safety planning should account for marine and boating hazards. Reported risks include animals, stingrays, sharks, ships/boats, and jet skis, plus the practical danger of extremely shallow water at low tide and changing sandbar depths. Protective footwear is strongly recommended due to bottom hazards (including anemones/prickly items), and riders are advised to shuffle feet for stingray safety and keep a close watch on currents near the inlet/channel.
- Flat-water kiteboarding with tide-dependent shallow sandbars
- Most cited wind months: March and April
- Boat-only access through the private community
- Reported marine hazards (stingrays/sharks) and heavy nearby boat traffic
- Clean flat water over shallow sandbars
- Reliable 15–25 knots wind window in the best months
- Good conditions for freeride/freestyle and foil kitesurfing
- Boat-only access and private-community restrictions
- Extremely shallow water at low tide can expose sandbars and increase hazards
- Heavy boat traffic near the inlet/channel
- Marine hazards reported (stingrays, sharks)
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SE, W, NW
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Thermal — Thermal/sea-breeze influenced wind for flat-water riding.
- Reliability
- Good in winter fronts and spring sea-breeze cycles.
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Sources describe light gustiness at times.
- Best Months
- March, April
- Shadow Zones
- Very close to the Sailfish Point community shoreline on NW winds.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Shallow, Ocean, Mixed
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach composition is noted.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Flat — Flat conditions are emphasized for this location.
- Launch
- Medium — Shallow sandbar or boat-based launch depending on tide.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Launch difficulty varies by tide; sources also describe it as moderate.
Through the year
Can be busy with boaters and other kiters on weekends; generally quiet during the week.
Hurricane season runs from June through November.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Flat-water/free-ride and freestyle/foil style riding on shallow, flat conditions with changing sandbar depth and large launch areas (tide-dependent).
- Kite Sizes
- 9–14 m²
Possible but limited by shallow water on the main flats; better suited for deeper channel edges.
- Sail Sizes
- 6–8.5 m²
Challenging on the shallowest parts; riders need to stay on edges where depth increases.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foil-friendly conditions are limited due to shallow water.
- Min Depth
- 0.8 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for The Flats (Sailfish Point) in the full forecast view.
The Flats (Sailfish Point) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 9–18 ktsGusts 30 kts
- Direction
- NE40°
- Strongest day
- Mon, Oct 2618 kts
- Windy days
- 7/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.1–2.6 m9s period
- Temperature
- 22–27 °C
Over the next 7 days, The Flats (Sailfish Point) is forecast for daytime winds of 9–18 kts, peaking around 18 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 30 kts. The prevailing direction is NE. Waves run 1.1–2.6 m with a period of about 9s. 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
- Animals
- Ships
- Jet skis
- Sharks
- Stingrays
- Extremely shallow water at low tide
- Heavy boat traffic near the channel
- Jetskis
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard presence at the riding area was indicated.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — No confirmed on-site rescue; regional coverage exists via Coast Guard/marine response near the inlet.
- Emergency Info
- Emergency number: 911. Coast Guard and local law-enforcement patrol the area; nearest listed coverage includes Fort Pierce and Martin County marine response assets.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — No localism beyond access restrictions was noted.
Rules of the spot
Boat-only access unless you know someone in Sailfish Point Golf Club; no land access through the private community.
- Strictly no land access through the private Sailfish Point community; riders must arrive by boat.
- Private property restrictions on the shoreline.
- Wear protective footwear due to anemones/prickly things on the bottom.
- Shuffle your feet when walking to avoid stingrays.
- Keep an eye on the tide because sandbars can become exposed or too shallow to ride.
- Be mindful of heavy current near the inlet.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Port Salerno
- Nearest Town
- Sailfish Point
- Parking
- Boat trailer parking is available at Sandsprit Park or various marinas in Port Salerno.
- Access
- Accessible only by boat from local ramps such as Sandsprit Park or Manatee Pocket; also described as boat-only unless you know someone in Sailfish Point Golf Club (then you can swim).
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Visitors commonly stay in Stuart or Jensen Beach; nearby accommodation includes hotels and rentals in Stuart/Jensen Beach.
- Food & Drink
- Restaurants are available in nearby Port Salerno and Manatee Pocket.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is available via local specialty shops in Stuart and Jensen Beach; sources also say there are no rentals on-site.
- Gear Storage
- No public storage facilities were indicated.
- Gear Repair
- Gear repair is available at kite shops in Stuart and Jensen Beach (also referenced as local surf and kite shops in Stuart area).
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The Stuart area is described as a major fishing and maritime hub with strong links to local water culture and a nearby ecosystem that includes marine-focused attractions.
Historic refuge and the oldest building in Martin County, originally a haven for shipwrecked sailors.
Collections include classic cars, baseball memorabilia, and local history.
A nature center with nature trails and marine-focused exhibits including a sea turtle pavilion and stingray feeding.
Local food-truck gatherings near boat ramps and inlet access points.
Protected shallow waters suitable for snorkeling and families.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at The Flats (Sailfish Point)?
The best overall months at The Flats (Sailfish Point) are November, December, January, February, March, April, May. The best wind months are March, April.
Which wind directions work at The Flats (Sailfish Point)?
The Flats (Sailfish Point) works with SE, W, NW winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at The Flats (Sailfish Point)?
Recommended equipment sizes at The Flats (Sailfish Point): Kitesurfing: 9–14 m² · Windsurfing: 6–8.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is The Flats (Sailfish Point) suitable for?
The Flats (Sailfish Point) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Advanced.