Guys,

Im off to the Whitsundays with the missis on Thursday for a week long trip sailing....

Do I make the effort and take a kite?

Cheers
Chris

Agree, don't bother. If the beach is good for kiting, you aren't going to want to be there in a yacht. If you are chartering, you have no chance. They will make sure you aren't anchoring anywhere suitable for kiting!

We have sailed from BNE up to the w'sundays several times now; there are a couple of good kiting opportunities – where you could kite within range of a good boat anchorage (still a good dingy ride away) – but they are on the islands or headlands south of Mackay. Whitsundays doesn't have any safe enjoyable anchorages for the boat that would have a kite area with in reach.

Agree with the don't bother comments

About the only decent spot is white haven beach at the very northern end (where all the poster shots are taken at full to half tide with clean water).
To do do this you will want the tides right and the wind right.
There is a good anchorage on the other side of the lookout so that is not an issue, (just have to row ashore and walk over the hill) but be warned all the tourist boats pull up at the same time so you could find about 200 other swimmers at the same place. but frankly you will spend all that time lugging the stuff around and only use it minimal time if all the stars align
And this is coming from someone who is super keen and out when ever it is windy

I took my gear becasue I was on a driving holiday from NSW so planned other spots along the way.
Carried the gear on a boat for 7 days and only used it once, there is plenty of other stuff to do

I lived up there for a year.
Hamilton island is rubbish so don't bother, but white haven is by far the most spectacular kite beach on the planet.
It's flat water so take a Twinnie and a big kite and if the wind picks up your in.
You'll kick yourself of u don't take it and the wind is up.
Bowen and airline beach work but are super croc feeling.

Oh and the other plus about white haven... You'll be the only one out.

harry potter said...

I will be there from Friday for a week with the missus
What boat are you sailing ?
We are taking La Diva....

I have kited there a few times ( whitehaven and Langford is). Both were ok but I don't bother taking my gear anymore as its not worth it. Far too much to do and I have never really had more than 17knots in 5 trips

We'll be on 38ft "Top Cat".

Well it sounds like my hopes of a kiting holiday are slim...

What about later in the year around August? I'm sailing up there to compete in Hammo Race week and will be spending two weeks before hand cruising around... Same story?