Squamish Spit

About This Spot

Canada's premier flatwater kite spot, on the sandspit where the Squamish River drains into the north end of Howe Sound. Wind is thermal: on sunny summer days a southerly inflow builds up the fjord, typically filling in late morning (8–10am), peaking through the afternoon at roughly 18–25 knots and often holding until 7–8pm. Official season is May 15–Sep 15; reliability is best in the height of summer (July–August) when sun = wind almost daily. Spring and fall are far less consistent and access is limited outside the staffed season. Water is flat to lightly choppy in the launch zone — glacier/snowmelt fed and cold (≈5–8°C even mid-summer), so a 4/5mm wetsuit, boots and often gloves/hood are wise. This is an advanced spot, not beginner-friendly: the prevailing wind has an offshore/cross-offshore component and the Squamish River current is strong and runs out toward the sound, sweeping a lost board away fast. You must be able to ride upwind reliably, body-drag to recover gear, and self-rescue in deep, cold water. Beginners should only ride here via boat/jet-ski lessons run by local schools. Launch & access: managed by the Squamish Windsports Society (SWS). The old Spit access road was removed for salmon-habitat restoration, so members now reach the launch (Spit/Pepahím̓ Island) via an SWS shuttle boat from near the Sp'akw'us Feather oceanfront parking lot; walking out at low tide is possible. A valid SWS membership is mandatory (seasonal ~CAD$180, or day fee); bring your own pump and be self-sufficient. SWS provides jet-ski retrieval but don't rely on it. Hazards: cold glacial water, strong river outflow current, offshore wind direction, sandbars and logs/debris exposed at low tide (<~1.7m), a small/crowded launch with strict etiquette, and protected estuary wildlife zones. Note regulatory flux — kiteboarding was permanently banned at the nearby Watersports Beach (Sp'akw'us Feather Park) in late 2024, so SWS shuttle access is effectively the legal way in.