Smathers Beach

About This Spot

Key West's main kite spot, a long city beach running along S. Roosevelt Blvd opposite the airport. Riding is confined to the EASTERN end of the beach, past where the power lines stop, near the last jetty — the rest is packed with swimmers and sunbathers and is off-limits. Wind season runs roughly November–April, with January and February the strongest and most consistent (upper-teens to low-20s kt). October, March and April are also good, March being a local favorite for warmer, smoother south winds. Summer (May–Sept) is mostly too light for twin-tips; foilers occasionally score. Working directions are broad easterly-through-westerly: E, SE, S, SW, WSW all deliver. Northerlies behind winter cold fronts are gusty and unreliable and the spot is poorly suited to N wind. During those fronts a shorty wetsuit is worth packing; otherwise water is warm and boardshorts-friendly. Water state: shallow, largely FLAT to light chop over a big sandbar with crystal-clear water — a progression/freestyle spot, not a wave spot. There's a useful flat slick off the jetty on the east side. Bottom is mixed: sticky peat/mud near shore and patches of hard bottom offshore, so booties help. Skill level: good for improving intermediates and experts; true beginners are discouraged because onshore (S/SE) wind blows you toward the road and power lines, and weak upwind riders get pinned on the beach. Launch is off a rare strip of trucked-in white sand with roadside parking, restrooms, showers and food vendors nearby. HAZARDS: power lines and S. Roosevelt Blvd directly behind the launch (kites snag easily — keep lines short and downwind of them), the rock jetties, heavy swimmer/tourist crowds in season, and airport-adjacency. Stay east of all beachgoers, never launch toward the road. Nearest full-service shop/lessons is Otherside Boardsports up in Islamorada.