Yasso Point (Queens Beach, Bowen)
- Freeride, Foil
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Flat
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Yasso Point (Queens Beach, Bowen) is a North Queensland wind-sports launch at the north end of Queens Beach, known for flat, crystal-clear water that’s especially usable when riding the inside/behind-the-point during South-Easterly trades. Conditions are typically small-wave, and the broader beach approach is a wide sandy area with easy access for getting kites and boards in the water. Wind is dominated by South-Easterly trade winds, and the spot aligns with wind from the east to south-east through north-east compass points. Typical kite ranges are reported in the mid-teens up to the mid-20s knots, and winds are described as excellent in the winter trade-wind season. In summer, afternoon sea-breeze/thermal effects from the North-East are noted, which can reinforce conditions later in the day. Depth and access are the key practical considerations. The water can be shallow for a long way out and may drop off quickly, so non-foiling sessions (and kitesurfing freeride/foil when timing and depth work out) are favored. For wingfoiling, deeper water access past reef/rock areas may require a longer walk at low tide; lower tides can also expose rocks near the headland, so tide awareness is important. Safety planning is essential. Poisonous/deadly jellyfish are reported as prevalent from October to the end of May, and stinger suits are strongly recommended during this period. Hazards also include crocodiles and sharks (all year round) plus turtles, while rocks/reef patches and tidal currents create additional risk near the point. There are no Surf Life Saving services for this beach and rescue availability is reported as no—so ride with appropriate self-rescue planning and protective gear.
- Flat water behind the point for freeride/foil kitesurfing
- Inside-the-point advantage on South-Easterly winds
- Easy access at the northern end of Queens Beach with parking and short walk
- Generally flat water with crystal-clear conditions when riding the lagoon/inside of the point
- Works with South-Easterly trade winds and offers consistent winter-season wind
- Big sandy launch area with easy access from the northern end of Queens Beach
- Versatile for kitesurfing, with freeride/foil options and small waves further out
- Very shallow water for a long way out can limit foiling options and increases wading requirements
- Stinger season risk (poisonous jellyfish) from October to May
- Rocks/reef patches near the point and submerged rocks at high tide
- No Surf Life Saving services; rescue availability reported as no
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SE, SSE, ESE, E, ENE, NE, NNE, N
- Offshore directions
- SE, ESE, E, ENE
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — South-easterly trade winds are the main driver, commonly reinforced/augmented by afternoon sea-breeze effects.
- Reliability
- Excellent during the winter trade wind season.
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Reported as steady.
- Best Months
- May, June, July, August, September, October
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Small — Small waves; flat-water behind the point.
- Launch
- Medium — Wide sandy beach at the northern end of Queens Beach near the point; shallow for a long way out.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Step straight in at high tide; at low tide expect up to about a 200m walk.
Through the year
Usually quiet, though it can get busy with local riders on weekends during peak trade wind season.
December to March
By sport
What to expect for each.
Flat water behind the point during South-Easterly trades; small waves/chop further out. Works best with SE to ESE-style winds at the northern tip of Queens Beach.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Shallow water suitable for freeride; foil can be possible but may require long walk at lower water levels. Best in SE cross-shore conditions per the provided directional guidance.
- Sail Sizes
- 5.5–7.5 m²
Increasingly popular; requires access to deeper water past reef/rock areas. Minimum depth is reported as available with a longer walk at low tide, and a foil-friendly setup is generally workable.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil friendly reported as yes (while shallow conditions can still require longer wading).
- Min Depth
- 1.0m
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Yasso Point (Queens Beach, Bowen) in the full forecast view.
Yasso Point (Queens Beach, Bowen) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–14 ktsGusts 26 kts
- Direction
- NE43°
- Strongest day
- Fri, Oct 3014 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.3–0.6 m5s period
- Temperature
- 24–29 °C
Over the next 7 days, Yasso Point (Queens Beach, Bowen) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–14 kts, peaking around 14 kts on Friday, October 30 with gusts to 26 kts. The prevailing direction is NE. Waves run 0.3–0.6 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
- Deadly/proven jellyfish (poisonous; prevalent from October to end of May)
- Crocodiles (all year round)
- Sharks (all year round)
- Turtles
- Rocks and reef patches near the point
- Submerged rocks at high tide
- Tidal currents
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported; also noted as seasonal in the wider spot info provided.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Rescue availability reported as no.
- Emergency Info
- Bowen Hospital is located nearby for emergencies.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — Localism: none.
Rules of the spot
Respect swimmers in designated zones along Queens Beach. Stay clear of the boat ramp areas.
- No Surf Life Saving services
- Wear a stinger suit from October to May.
- The flat water inside the point is best on the inside during South-Easterly winds.
- Keep an eye on the tide; lower tides can expose rocks near the headland.
- The water is pretty shallow for a long way out—plan for long wading/non-foiling suitability.
- Be aware of turtles on the surface.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Bowen
- Nearest Town
- Bowen
- Parking
- Formal/ample parking available at the northern end of Queens Beach; short walk to launch.
- Access
- Short walk to the north end of Queens Beach.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Various caravan parks and motels are located directly along Queens Beach.
- Food & Drink
- Local cafes and a hotel/pub are within walking distance of the beach.
- Equipment Rental:
- No dedicated rental shops on the beach; equipment rental is available through kite schools/specialized options in the wider area.
- Gear Storage
- Limited storage is noted for guests via beachfront holiday parks and some local schools (spot-level storage details not specified).
- Gear Repair
- Basic repairs can be arranged through local options in the wider area (spot-level repair shop details not specified).
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Bowen is the northern gateway to the Whitsundays and offers a relaxed pace with coastal activities alongside wind sports.
Iconic Australian 'Big Thing' representing the town's mango farming heritage.
Series of murals depicting the history and settlement of the region.
Fringing reefs accessible directly from the beach for snorkeling.
Historic pub offering classic Australian meals and ocean views.
Public water play area and parkland on the Bowen foreshore.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Yasso Point (Queens Beach, Bowen)?
The best overall months at Yasso Point (Queens Beach, Bowen) are April, May, June, July, August, September, October. The best wind months are May, June, July, August, September, October.
Which wind directions work at Yasso Point (Queens Beach, Bowen)?
Yasso Point (Queens Beach, Bowen) works with SE, SSE, ESE, E, ENE, NE, NNE, N winds. Offshore directions are SE, ESE, E, ENE.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Yasso Point (Queens Beach, Bowen)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Yasso Point (Queens Beach, Bowen): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 5.5–7.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Yasso Point (Queens Beach, Bowen) suitable for?
Yasso Point (Queens Beach, Bowen) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner to Intermediate · Windsurfing: Beginner to Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate.