Yirrell Beach
- Freeride, Wave
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Chop, Ocean, Medium waves
- Spot Type
- Busy
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Yirrell Beach is an ocean-facing, sandy-and-pebble crescent beach used for kitesurfing when winds come in from the northeast through the southeast. Conditions are described as chop with the possibility of small to medium wave riding depending on the swell. Riders can find different water types across the launch area: flatter water in inner shallows, more energetic wave riding closer to shore, and kicker-style action around the rocky northern point area.
- Best wind directions: NE, ENE, E, ESE, SE
- Spring and fall months highlighted for the spot
- Mixed riding: chop near shore, flatter inner shallows, and more dynamic waves near the rocky north point
- Strong match for eastern wind directions (NE through SE)
- Big sandy beach provides space, with a mix of riding styles (wave/chop and flatter inner shallows)
- Generally described as reliable for Northeast-driven sessions (best in spring and fall)
- Launching/landing becomes extremely difficult at high tide because of the seawall
- Rocky ends (especially near the northern rocky point) increase risk in rougher conditions
- Seasonal restrictions (lifeguard hours) and plover-nesting access rules can limit available riding windows
- Parking and access can be difficult due to local resident-permit rules
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE, ENE, E, ESE, SE
- Offshore directions
- W, SW, WSW
- No-go directions
- W, SW, WSW
- Wind Range
- 15–30 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Northeast-to-Southeast winds; regional pattern described as frontal and (in summer) thermal-influenced.
- Reliability
- reliable
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gusting reported.
- Best Months
- March, April, May, September, October, November
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop, Ocean, Medium waves
- Beach
- Sand — Sand with pebble areas, with a seawall running along the beach.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Medium — Reports range from small to medium waves depending on swell.
- Chop Level
- Heavy chop — Water type described as chop; can range from flat chop to rolling wave conditions when swell builds.
- Launch
- Medium — Crescent-shaped sand and pebble beach with a rocky point on the north side. Launch can be possible below the first seawall break or near houses/south side during nesting season; at high tide the usable sand narrows heavily.
Through the year
Busy with sunbathers in July and August; can be crowded with kiters on good Northeast days in the off-season.
Late summer and fall hurricane season can bring large swells and strong winds (including Northeaster-type conditions that also bring cold weather).
By sport
What to expect for each.
Mixed conditions with waves near shore, flatter water in inner shallows, and more dynamic kicker-type riding near the rocky northern point; generally best with eastern winds.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Usable on onshore or side-onshore days, but the beach break can be challenging for beginners.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–6.5 m²
Ocean foiling possible, but riders must mind shore break and depth near the seawall at high tide.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil-friendly conditions reported with minimum depth noted.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Yirrell Beach in the full forecast view.
Yirrell Beach wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–11 ktsGusts 23 kts
- Direction
- W261°
- Strongest day
- Thu, Oct 2911 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.1–0.8 m6s period
- Temperature
- 3–18 °C
Over the next 7 days, Yirrell Beach is forecast for daytime winds of 2–11 kts, peaking around 11 kts on Thursday, October 29 with gusts to 23 kts. The prevailing direction is W. Waves run 0.1–0.8 m with a period of about 6s. 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
- Seawall (no beach/launching area available at high tide)
- Rocks at northern and southern ends (including rocky point on the north side)
- Power lines close to the road/along Shirley Street
- Strong longshore currents possible during large Northeast swells
- Plover nesting zones (northern section)
- Shorepound
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguard presence during summer daytime hours.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Limited rescue availability reported.
- Emergency Info
- In case of emergency, dial 911. Emergency response is provided by the Winthrop Harbormaster and the U.S. Coast Guard Station Boston (nearby).
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Mild localism reported; parking and access restrictions can be more restrictive for non-residents.
Rules of the spot
Seasonal kitesurfing ban applies mid-June through Labor Day during lifeguard hours (typically 10 AM to 5 PM); also maintain distance from swimmers and from plover nesting sites.
- Strict seasonal ban for kitesurfing from mid-June through Labor Day between 10 AM and 5 PM while lifeguards are on duty.
- No kite flying near plover nests (200 m minimum).
- Avoid northern section during Plover nesting season.
- Time your session carefully for tide—at high tide the beach can be nearly gone for landing/launching due to the seawall.
- Stay at least 200 meters from plover nesting sites.
- Avoid the north side of Yirrell Beach during the Plover nesting season.
- If conditions are rough, avoid the rocky northern point area.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Winthrop
- Nearest Town
- Winthrop
- Parking
- Free parking on Winthrop Shore Drive; also a dedicated parking lot on the south side near the water treatment plant. Public parking can be extremely limited/strictly enforced in summer in the surrounding area.
- Access
- Public beach access; kite launching depends strongly on tide because the seawall reduces/erases the beach at high tide.
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Various accommodation options in Winthrop and nearby Boston/Logan Airport area.
- Food & Drink
- Local cafes and restaurants are available within walking distance in Winthrop.
- Equipment Rental:
- No rentals available directly on the beach reported.
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 Yirrell Beach?
The best overall months at Yirrell Beach are March, April, May, September, October, November.
Which wind directions work at Yirrell Beach?
Yirrell Beach works with NE, ENE, E, ESE, SE winds. Offshore directions are W, SW, WSW. No-go directions are W, SW, WSW.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Yirrell Beach?
Recommended equipment sizes at Yirrell Beach: Kitesurfing: 7–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–6.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–30 kts.
What skill level is Yirrell Beach suitable for?
Yirrell Beach suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate.