NCWindsurfingSites.kmz NC Windsurfing Sites Bay River "There are numerous access points and campgrounds where grassy rigging and sandy, waist high water abounds - along with great sailing conditions from almost any wind direction. The boat traffic around these areas is less than 1/10th of what is seen out in Beaufort inlet on a slow day! A majority of the boat traffic comprises sailing vessels and the jet ski traffic is almost non existent. The natural topography of Bay River runs the predominant wind directions of SW to NW, creating uninterrupted fetches of 3 to 6 miles long. Click here to download Bay River chart. Many of the roads from the metro areas have improved or are in the process of being improved. For the kayaking crowd, paddle trails are mapped extensively in these areas as well. Most IBX sites are at least an hour and half less in driving than going to the OBX - the distance & time is quite similar or a little less than going from Raleigh to Emerald Island. There are a number of launches that blow sailors back onshore from their original starting point." Excerpted with permission from: http://bayriverwindsurfing.bravehost.com/ -76.66271914246197 35.18181122958873 1053.654801262591 7.668814236972348e-011 0.0004223562178297625 root://styleMaps#default+nicon=0x307+hicon=0x317 -76.66254098803572,35.1817488222233,0 OBX OBX Too many sites here to list. The center of OBX sailing is probably Canadian Hole - located here. Follow the following link for a comprehensive description of the sailing sites on the Outer Banks http://www.sailusa.com/lob.html -75.5161443371363 35.30038168237307 2681.347352133568 -9.787126010936253e-012 0.5874822193786879 #khStyle762 -75.51414047589316,35.29883313672544,0 Raleigh/Durham Sanderling Beach Falls Lake is a narrow lake. The best wind directions are probably NW and SE. N and S will also work OK. Not too many people sail here (that I know of). I'll try and get more concrete info about the sites here. Beware, this is another lake where boating is very popular. -78.71347844269143 36.02871299100821 5643.308987164165 3.013452818688402e-010 -1.212257261948972 #khStyle762 -78.71167299819717,36.03898396747633,0 Crabtree Lake Crabtree is a small lake. The best wind directions are W to NW only. This is a flatwater spot since the fetch is small, so no chance to build any kind of chop. This is an excellent place for people to learn to sail. No motor boats are allowed on the lake and its an excellent place to bring the family. They have good hiking trails and good single-track mountain biking trails. -78.79373190366259 35.83929535996669 375.0739859523666 2.508500212544979e-010 -1.259335707276269 #khStyle762 -78.79491930460191,35.83971450956702,0 Crosswinds The choice for north and west winds when Ebenezer was under construction, but not sailed much now. -79.019437266819 35.74370529103485 2201.254185356615 5.388381756412929e-011 -1.391700897739992 #khStyle762 -79.01522514877983,35.74151392716473,0 Fairington Point Popular when Ebenezer was under construction, but not often sailed now. t is best on a SW, and OK on a S and SE. Grassy rigging area behind roped-off area. A small beach area can be used for launching. There is a concrete boat launch that can also be used. The water is uniformly over your head about 15 feet from shore. There is almost no danger of running aground. No restrooms (woods!) or other facilities; no fees. This site is used mainly by fishermen. Jetskis tend to stay in one corner near the causeway. The eastern side of Farrington Point would be excellent on a NE because it has a very large fetch and the chop is not bad. but there is only difficult, emergency launching from a road south of the causeway. When the lake level was very low an 'island' became exposed, where the old road was, and you could stand on it. You might see the foundation of a house that was levelled. For a challenge you can sail underneath the causeway. Try to avoid contact with the concrete pillars. If you sail south for a bit from this launch site you'll pass a quiet sandy beach to the west and a submerged forrest. There is a point on the south side where the wind funnels around. You can have some good runs there on water that is almost perfectly flat. You can land on the south side as well. Cars on the causeway will enjoy watching you at Farrington Point. Wind can get squirrely close to the causeway. There may be a few remaining stumps east of the boat ramp and near the point on the south side.. -79.01439598994159 35.79970224378832 1456.271005113131 3.855029213256677e-011 -1.38876542200795 #khStyle762 -79.01584230960486,35.7987131008752,0 Holly Hill Sailed only in desperation when the lake is closed after hurricanes -79.0111258123206 35.78756104472126 1466.923979969698 6.499091107525854e-011 -1.386853104955818 #khStyle762 -79.0125443666751,35.78733409526685,0 Vista Point Works best in Northeeast and East winds. This spot is filled in right from the launch in a NE, but most people still sail Ebenezer -79.04864002436291 35.70388479334741 1461.670104493519 1.315449746109678e-010 -1.408758330021979 #khStyle762 -79.0468652626855,35.70441263519776,0 Ebenezer Point This is the main site for sailing in the Triangle and on windy days you can find 20 - 30 fellow sailors to shred with. The best wind directions for Ebenezer are N, NE, S, and SW, but about any wind direction can be sailed here. If it blows hard enough, Jordan can build some nice swells for jumping! If the wind is from the W or E it can be very gusty (like lake sailing wasn't gusty anyway!). If it is East, you want to go to Vista Point on Lake Jordan. Ebenezer Point has nice grass rigging areas and facilities. During the summer, be aware of other watercraft around you. There can be quite a few boats and jetskis on the water. -79.02714118696316 35.70812681219646 697.0289030560277 1.151083942741336e-011 -1.396206365087253 #khStyle762 -79.02765413887917,35.70745456863314,0 Wilmington The Jetties (Masonboro Inlet) This is a mojor surfing spot, so make sure you know the etiquette. Wind directions are S, SW, N, and NE. -77.81354863757481 34.18496366082496 3800.166309395293 1.756858620486639e-010 -0.7033574324657717 #khStyle762 -77.81206920258447,34.18704101479451,0 North End This is where everyone heads for wave sailing in a N and NE winds. A very good spot, especially in a strong NE wind, where it can build head to logo high waves. In these conditions the shorebreak can be tough, so be prepared! -77.89147433751393 34.06833138494658 7917.425520530079 1.399049835813944e-010 -0.7470846076320589 #khStyle762 -77.87523608950528,34.07321709240573,0 CornCake Inlet Corncake Inlet is an ocean sailing spot, with small to medium size waves. It is mainly sailed in S to SW winds. SW is slightly sideoff here, which makes this a good spot. You can pull out onto the beach at any of the crossovers on the way out, and find spots to sail in these wind directions, so anyplace is sailable, but the cleanest wind is usually at the very end towards the inlet. -77.94458638603541 33.91961881632879 2306.510269051779 1.564385017749237e-010 -0.7766925797751584 #khStyle762 -77.94343695620684,33.91585202614508,0 The Rocks/Fort Fisher This is an ocean sailing spot, with small to medium size waves. This area can be sailed in S, SW winds, and NE winds. Sometimes the wind isn't as clean as Corncake, but you don't need to have a 4x4 for access! -77.92159651140214 33.96503605886245 729.0739805682209 1.97100491012066e-010 -0.76385602083283 #khStyle762 -77.92118541633673,33.96486555508949,0 Fort Fisher Basin (The Basin) The Basin is mainly a slalom spot and is great for all levels of sailors. Water conditions are flat with only 1' - 2' chop, depending on the wind. The favored wind direction is SW, but it is also sailable in S, SE, W, NW, and NE (gusty). During the summer there is good SW thermal action. At the launch area, there are oyster shells so wearing foot protection is a good idea. The bottom of the Basin is mainly a mushy silt (gunk), but it is mainly sand bar along the edges except on the west side where the rock jetty is located. Water depth is overhead in the middle, but mainly chest to knee deep in other areas. -77.94150513412275 33.96055278146319 1161.685307475551 8.821649236845671e-011 -0.7749768814406806 #khStyle762 -77.94171045131155,33.95926691116175,0 Crystal Coast Minnesott Beach To Sail from the North side of the Neuse: If it is a true NW and not NNW, you should be able to get good sailing in at Minnesott Beach. Take 306 down towards the Ferry Launch. Approximately one block from the Ferry Launch you will see an old BP gas station. Turn right there and go down past the Sea Gull Villa Condo?s on your left and follow the road as it curves to the right. Just past the old real estate cottage on the left, on the rivers edge, you will see a grassy knoll with a picnic table. Park on the side of the road there and walk over to the rivers edge. There you will see an old dilapidated pier and a small sandy beach. Launch there and head straight out. If it is a true NW it should be almost side shore as from the Minnessot Ferry up river the river turns to a NW/SE orientation. -76.80891249072204 34.96862681200317 504.836006923084 4.080554968957763e-010 -0.1738856713897417 #khStyle762 -76.8088885045329,34.96822644091005,0 Pine Cliff Recreation Area This is one of the few places in the area to sail a NW if you are into airtime. Because of the long fetch from New Bern and the fact that the Neuse River narrows here, there can be outstanding chop and swell at this launch. Watch for the Ferry when sailing. -76.8205746845246 34.93954468711188 1203.154554970826 1.77892967827706e-010 -0.1805653570443052 #khStyle762 -76.82168556280269,34.93962971044397,0 North River North River is a wind machine in any southerly and is a great place for a wide variety of skill levels. If the forecast is for 10-15 and its a hot day, you can often sail a 6.5 at North River. The wind is stronger here than at the flat water sites on Bogue Sound because of its exposure and the fact that it is a little further inland. The launch is a small sandy beach, with a grassy area for rigging. The water is waist deep and there are no shallow spots, but the bottom can be soft in places. And for all the hero jibers out there, there is a constant stream of cars crossing the bridge -76.61553766274159 34.78767380631908 517.7978477432928 62.64813324669659 -173.2144977247261 #khStyle762 1 relativeToGround -76.61637356008451,34.78795690351464,60 Harkers Island -76.53659057617189 34.66096496582033 10734.61156065955 -4.623287753390941e-027 -2.989580718141738e-014 Shell Point Shell Point (Harkers Island) is a great place to sail SW or NE winds. It gets the strongest and most consistent NE wind of any launch in the Crystal Coast area. It is almost guaranteed whenever a high pressure is centered over New York or Pennsylvania. In a NE, this is an advanced to expert sailing site due to the strong current off the tip of Shell Point - the first 200 yards can be a little hairy, but it settles out nicely once past the channel. There is good chop hopping in the channel just off the launch, and great flat water sailing in Mike's Hole to the lee of the grass islands. Waves can be had by sailing 2.2 miles across the sound, up Iron Creek (a long drag at low tide), and then doing a 100 yard portage over Core Banks to the ocean. It is also a very freindly place to sail in a SW. The launch is onshore and sailing to the west gives long reaches in moderate chop. Sailing to the east gets you to the channel where the chop is a little better formed, and then to the flats beyond. I the current is outgoing, the apparent wind increases and you can make amazing ground upwind towards the lighthouse. Sailing options as you go upwind are almost unlimited (in a SW). The National Park Service has a nice facility at Shell Point, complete with water, restrooms and a small museum. -76.52839668027417 34.68655535623132 1729.511041646023 4.585284052507039e-011 0.0170171650572871 root://styles#default -76.52729674777361,34.68523914945516,0 Launch (NE) Launch from here in a NE, just to the lee of a bulkhead at the end of the road. You can park your vehicle next to the grass. There is a channel just off the point so the current within about 100 yards of the launch runs fast and typically downwind. Once into the middle of the sound, it is relatively easy to stay upwind. -76.52626779873798 34.68475616839222 483.4253447985357 -1.794442335229827e-010 0.01823266279595569 root://styles#default -76.52622119946445,34.68467957059281,0 Launch (SE - SW) Park and launch from here in any southerly. The wind is onshore and the water is chest deep for as far as you care to wade. at high tide watch out for the rock groins just to the east of the launch - they are clearly visible in the image (and at low tide). -76.52824896021028 34.68462697474836 231.6481676130091 0.01887499605648878 0.01730384331452653 root://styleMaps#default+nicon=0x307+hicon=0x317 1 relativeToGround -76.52885575065773,34.6849171895019,60 Mikes Hole Excellent flat water sailing in a NE. Can be a little shallow crossing the shoals around Cockle Marsh Island. Best to approach over the north side of Cockle Marsh -76.49345611727563 34.67374334774242 2814.672221351852 57.06869548618609 108.6342924768585 root://styles#default 1 relativeToGround -76.50282345863364,34.67652689568937,90 Iron Creek Iron Creek is a 2.2 miles across the sound and gives reasonable access to the ocean. But beware, if you get caught here at low tide, you will have to walk your gear from the Banks all the way to the western tip of Gunning Hammock Island. In a NE, you sail to the lee of Gunning Hammock, which gives some great flat water sailing, up Iron Creek, and then you have a 100 yard portage over Core Banks to the ocean. The waves here in a NE may be the biggest and cleanest on the outer-banks due to the long fetch from Diamond Shoals; likewise for the shore-break. Also, by the second day of a big nor'easter, the long shore current runs along the beach at a blistering pace. You can also access the ocean here in a SW, but the water tends to blow out behind Gunning Hammock which means you only have enough water to sail here around high tide. This spot was pioneered by local legends Don Ketterrer and Bill Hanner. Needless to say, Core Banks is a very bad place to break a mast. Don't even think about sailing here in the winter without a buddy. -76.49495228795023 34.66768152309262 1043.544712851714 59.52239426446945 0.03603362539384225 root://styles#default 1 relativeToGround -76.49391532675823,34.66808333694198,60 The Lighthouse This is the primary ferry landing and a good wavesailing spot in a SW. The ferries will transport your gear for an extra $5. There is a boardwalk all the way across the island to ease the pain of portage. It is also an excellent sound sailing spot in a SW, particularly with an outgoing current. There are bathrooms available and a hand pump for water. Many tourists here in the summer visiting the Cape Lookout Lighthouse. -76.52356372024347 34.6256063572962 1791.338451670237 61.53030554087282 0.01976326849013836 root://styles#default 1 relativeToGround -76.52431555825187,34.62392339554209,60 Ferry - Barbours Marina -76.54103298982773 34.68974022884093 1677.269444373623 -3.623835911363964e-011 0.009843325165628542 root://styles#default -76.54367046569823,34.68924470845677,0 Ferry - Calico Jacks Calico Jacks ferry service is the closest to Shell Point. If you take the ferry to the lighthouse, you can do a downwinder to shell point at the end of the day and walk to your vehicle. -76.52904459533912 34.68508108048545 957.2748145592427 -1.544757172643576e-012 0.01665210506713247 root://styles#default -76.53149780100593,34.68555340870232,0 Ferry - Harkers Island Fishing Center -76.55868658768549 34.69524988339448 1678.029607247431 -6.0389413668553e-011 -0.0002037221681624238 root://styles#default -76.55976409033538,34.69300856614117,0 Ferry - Local Yokel The longest ride to Cape Lookout, but none of the ferry captains know the waters better than Ellis Yeomans. -76.57764456342058 34.6999943226908 1677.269404276892 -1.086914984371208e-010 -0.01099493928267783 root://styles#default -76.57926850693816,34.69800398458729,0 Radio Island -76.66691207885741 34.701961517334 3748.379505506056 1.081495443463233e-011 -2.674120843238304e-014 Radio Island Radio Island is usually sailed in south, or southwest winds. It offers an incredibly wide variety of sailing and is probably the best all-around spot in the area. It's also an easy place to get into a heap of trouble if you're unlucky or careless. Radio Island is "inlet sailing", and it takes some getting used to. Timing is important here - the currents add to the apparent wind when the tide is going out, and reduce apparent wind when the tides are incoming. Therefore, this launch is best sailed on an outgoing tide, which means that if you breakdown in the inlet (or if the wind dies), you're going out to sea. So do yourself (and everyone else) a favor, and make sure that your equipment is in good shape. The sailing conditions include flat water, big rollers, backside wave-sailing on sand bar breaks, down the line wave sailing at Fort Macon, and big port tack jumping on "The Rip" off Shackleford banks. Beware of the boat traffic, learn where the shipping channel is, watch for sand bars at low tide, and learn how the currents work. Most boats in the inlet are trolling, so give them plenty of room when passing astern. Always try to sail Beaufort inlet with a buddy, check the local tides, and, if possible, get initiated by a Radio Island veteran. -76.68133781840241 34.71344626529671 1245.97971114983 33.82398527456385 -0.03456433968574877 #khStyle762 1 relativeToGround -76.68131136413892,34.71422028523428,100 Launch On an outgonig tide, you can pinch out the channel, but it is often easiest to simply sail across and walk around the point. There is plenty of boat traffic here in the summer and most sailing is done in the open sound and inlet to the south -76.67912073712003 34.7117588326191 644.3002551721889 38.82799555861742 -0.03327099644922144 #khStyle762 1 relativeToGround -76.6801974694594,34.71383540415808,50 Flats Popular speed spot - the shoals to the south knock down the chop, making this a great place to race back and forth in relatively flat water. But watch out for the bottom and sail unhooked until you get a feel for the depth of the shoals. -76.6726727599096 34.7058713639283 1101.704846051556 38.86591708430201 -0.02960108473234206 #khStyle762 1 relativeToGround -76.67493513721816,34.70837862377763,50 Breaking Swell SW swell coming in the main shipping channel breaks on the shoals here and to the east. It's a tremendous amount of fun. It's bigger on an incoming tide, but a little more work to stay to windward. -76.66843756355053 34.70225467157198 1620.587510294523 38.86591708351583 -0.02718991540484975 #khStyle762 1 relativeToGround -76.66994390024632,34.70182685125555,50 Fort Macon There can be very nice port tack waveriding here when the conditions are right. But the park service does not allow you launch or land at Fort Macon, so the only place to rest is on Shackleford Banks to the east. -76.67335717757976 34.69593947158182 755.9145925030056 0.1208625466768982 -0.02999035041055793 #khStyle762 1 relativeToGround -76.67450680376201,34.69610377889635,50 Point of Shack There is usually some nice jumping here. The current really rips and can set up some good sized standing waves. In an outgoing tife, you sail a broad reach on both tacks to keep up with the current. The line of standing waves is evident in the photo. Broadreaching down the soundside shore line towards the east can yield some awesome speed runs in sideoff winds. Most boats in the inlet are trolling, so respect thier lures and don't get hooked. -76.66422642530316 34.68893406665555 767.9276562117083 56.92409855428441 80.74770190603034 #khStyle762 1 relativeToGround -76.66456055142022,34.68970354993544,60 Sand Dollar Island This is a downwind sail in a SW, but well worth it for satisfying your need for speed. The shoal drops off so steeply on the North side that you can literally drag your fingers on the beach while ripping ripple free water. But it's a popular place for picnicing and bbqs on weekends . . . . -76.65311121237899 34.7014615459746 775.658810273557 56.91599216654337 -14.88609750414762 #khStyle762 1 relativeToGround -76.65251106053024,34.69976676237759,60 The Circle Good public access at the center of AB beach scene. It is currently under development and public access is in question. -76.73980422726606 34.69779686523312 616.3630190252439 2.502821111100312e-010 -0.1342840093193159 #khStyle762 -76.74071574078654,34.69779510535671,0 3rd Street 3rd Street is an ocean launch that is best sailed in W, SW, SE and E winds. But it really comes alive in W winds and can even be sailed when in goes WNW. 3rd Street is a little better than the Circle in Morehead City in a S/SW wind because the wind is less onshore. Be careful of the surfers and surf casters! -76.91410755184533 34.68292105773639 3276.752925147767 9.066832810320873e-006 -0.2340640790364641 #khStyle762 -76.91413813743657,34.68212519458094,0 Cedar Island Getting here is a beautiful drive and a nice tour of "Down East". The route is dotted with small quiet towns where the traditions of fishing and boat building are alive and well. The launch is to the right (east) of the ferry landing - follow signs for public boat access. Cedar Island is argueably the best windsurfing in North Carolina in a NW wind. There is tremendous fetch here and the water is deep to within a few hundred yards of the beach. As a result, you get good sized swell which can peak up to 5 foot in 4.5 conditions. To make things even sweeter, the jetties for the ferry landing knock down the wind chop at the launch and clean up the waves. But you may havee to schlog out to the windline. The beach here is protected by a gated barb wire horse fence. The NC division of ferries has restrooms and refreshments - its a great family spot. -76.31218521877237 35.01652588858288 2187.046312480537 1.61780032955146e-011 0.1406648321739695 root://styles#default -76.31223304785756,35.01815809801408,0