Had a look at the graph - it looks good but it says rain -
Yorkeys doesnt work when its rainy as the clouds block the wind from coming through -

If it is really southerly go up to Port Douglas for the day -
this can be good even when rainy

Most of the locals are friendly if you offer to pump their kites up but dont cross lines with big tony or he will wrestle you in the car park.

You can spot him he wears a short wetsuit that looks like a pro wrestlers outfit from 1974 - in fact thats where i have seen him before

Theres another guy with a crew cut head who never works and kites nearly every day - he looks mean but is pretty friendly

If you are in the city drop into Its extreme - those guys kite and will give you the low down on other locations

If you go further north - it can get really windy - check winsdswell.com.au or australiankitesurfari.com.au for trips avail - they are both great -
a 9 will probably work well


The Cairns article in KBM would be helpful but it wont be in time for your trip

I have been up there several times over the past few years. I have never used a smaller kite than 9m. It's generally a bit stronger at four mile (Port Douglas). The local are all easy going at Yorkeys and Port and from my experience very nice. Take a big kite too you may need it.

Reliable....never a truer word has been spoken. If Seabreeze says green arrows, Yorkeys has 20 knots constant wind. No gusts, butter smooth water with nice kickers to blast off. Predictable as sunrise and sunset. A magic place that you can count on to come through for you when you've decided to take the afternoon off and have a kite. You can just about set your watch by the tradewinds that fill in at about 10:45am and stay constant until the sun goes down.

I could go on....

ascole said...

Reliable....never a truer word has been spoken. If Seabreeze says green arrows, Yorkeys has 20 knots constant wind. No gusts, butter smooth water with nice kickers to blast off. Predictable as sunrise and sunset. A magic place that you can count on to come through for you when you've decided to take the afternoon off and have a kite. You can just about set your watch by the tradewinds that fill in at about 10:45am and stay constant until the sun goes down.

I could go on....

NOT!!!

Sorry to get you excited Spooky Luke, but take everything above and assume the opposite. I was just taking the p1ss and trolling for a reaction from the Cairns crew.

Daisy's post is a bit more like it[}:)]

Yorkeys is a fickle mistress and you can never count on it. if you want more reliable wind up here try port douglas or better yet go up to Cape Flattery with Ant on Australian Kite Surfari. If you do go up there, best bet would be to bring a small kite as it can blow 25 knots all day and night.

So far this year.
Good forecasts have only led to continuous disappointment, frustration and ****ty gusty wind when it does happen, there one minute gone the next.

The only decent kiting I have seen or done in the last 2 months has been at Port Douglas probably due to the more southerly line of the beach. Happiness is only a 45 minute drive away. (Port Douglas)
(Bretto's activity days at Low isle are looking like the best option.)

If you intend kiting in Cairns, the best way to get through the afternoon is to make sure you take a 6 pack to drink while you sit there and wait for the wind to come in....

Definitely don't attempt it Flattery on your own, it'll be your last kiting adventure.
There are some other options closer to Cairns and if you have a talk to the locals when you get here they will sort you out....

Le Cher Du Monde

Self contained and in the middle of town

Turtle cove is nice resort just 10 km before Port Douglas
It is very friendly and you will make some close friends.

kwrichards said...

Gidday could anyone tell me if it is necessary to bring a wetsuit to Port D this time of year?? Im flying over from NZ and am trying to pack as little as possible!

whats is a wet suit
last time I was up there I wore a 1 m vest to take the edge of the wind in long sessions but you can get by without esp if you are from a cold place -

I did notice a lot of the locals wore spring suits - I think they like the feeling of the rubber -

Daisy said...

Definitely don't attempt it Flattery on your own, it'll be your last kiting adventure.
There are some other options closer to Cairns and if you have a talk to the locals when you get here they will sort you out....

Not sure about this one,why not explore new areas ?Some of the guys at cooktown head up there regularly, we are planning a trip there in 2 weeks . Bit of a myth about exclusive access blah blah you can get a permit on entering the area. Will post details about our trip there on return.

chadster said...

Turtle cove is nice resort just 10 km before Port Douglas
It is very friendly and you will make some close friends.

Yeh Turtle cove is a great place to stay. Its too gusty in the bay for C kiters.
If you had a bow kite you could get right in there....
It definitely has the best waves in the area. Longer rides than Ratshet bay.