info on kiteboarding in the Bahamas
December 19, 2008
THE BAHAMAS for kiteboarding
INTRO – Shallow, flat, warm and safe water off the beaten path away from
tourists on a Caribbean island measuring seven by 21/7 miles…
THE LURE
Nassau is the capital city of The Bahamas and is located on the tiny
island of New Providence. Although it is less than 150 square miles in
area, the island is packed with activities and attractions for visitors
to enjoy, not least the blossoming kiteboarding opportunities.
From flatwater riding to waves..awsome down winders.
THE SET-UP
160 miles east of Florida the weather conditions in the Bahamas are
perfect for kiteboarding during the windy season (October through June)
with steady trade winds and warm, clean, clear water. The teaching area
is shallow and flat with an almost constant cross-shore wind. The kite
beaches are virtually deserted with less than 20 local riders! Students
and riders have all the space they need and want.
RANGE FINDER:
WIND AND WEATHER:
Winds in Nassau are warm and steady, with about 20 days a month bringing
winds of at least 15 knots during the season. The best time of year for
advanced riding is early spring (April/May) when riders can take
advantage of stronger winds and awesome wave riding.
WATER:
flat
chop
waves
The water is in the high 70s (25°C+) year round, so no need for a
wetsuit; board shorts and rashy will do the job!
FACILITIES:
ACCOMMODATION: 5 stars
EATING OUT: 4 stars
NIGHTLIFE: 3 stars
FAMILIES: 4 stars
SINGLES: 3 stars
After a long day at the beach Nassau has world class dining and
nightlife, where you may spot a celebrity eating at the table next to
you, or stumble across a movie or magazine shoot. From the simplest
roadside restaurants offering local delicacies at budget prices to
gourmet restaurants serving signature cocktails, you can find a meal to
suit every taste and budget. For those days when the wind is lighter, or
if you just want to take a break, there is always lots to do, from
excursions to other islands, deep sea fishing, helicopter rides, diving
with sharks or world class golf. Just be sure to book extra excursions early.
ATM: There are international ATM machines in Nassau and the local
currency (the dollar) is interchangeable with the American dollar.
CURRENCY: Bahamas Dollars (BSD) £1 = BSD1.99 / €1 = BSD1.45
AIRPORT:
Nassau (NAS) – Just hop in a cab and you’re a short ride away from your
hotel.
GETTING ABOUT:
We offer a kite caddy service to all of our visiting guests wich includes pick up and drop off to and from the hotel to and from the beach..
On no wind days you could rent a scooter/moped or easily rent a car and cruise around discovering the island.
Also there is a great interisland ferrie system, weekly we do day trips depending on the wind forecast.
SCHOOLS:
CROSS-SHORE
Cross Shore Bahamas has developed the kiting industry in Nassau, with
the only kite school and gear supply in the area. They have Ego free IKO
instructors available for private 1:1 lessons or group lessons up to
four students per group. They teach all levels from complete beginner to
advanced riders. A kite caddy service is also available for advanced
riders and general kite and board rental is another option. Store your
kite with them and they’ll even repair it if you prang it, too! Besides
being a full service kite school, they are happy to act as your personal
tour guides.
Language spoken by instructors: English
Tel: +1 (242) 362-4702
www.cross-shore.com
info@cross-shore.com
watering holes/bars local kiteboarding info in Nassau Bahamas
December 19, 2008
There are plenty watering holes in Nassau depending on if you have a champane taste with beer pockets or visa versa..we locals like quench our thirst at a bar called the green parrot on the Nassau side good food good drinks plenty hot chicks..
Then, if you could just give me some rough prices/costs on these three things that would be great:
Riding conditions: most of the time riding in Nassau we ride in a flat water area with the wind cross-shore to side on shore the wind in season is 15-18 knots higher with incoming cold fronts 20-30kts locals call it Blue hill, the name of the beach is south beach..water temp in the high 70’s F.
The best tide to ride in is a out going tide (butter flat) the difference in tide from high to low is 3-4 feet depening on spring high or spring low tide or full moon.
(the place shallows out to nothing at low tide so you have to walk out to the right about 600 yards to get calf depth water.
The beach is prity small but there is heaps of space to ride the flat water area is about 1000 meters out by 6000 meters long..best wind direction would be ENE to East.
The area is good from ene to SW.
If the wind switches to the west or North to North east we ride an area called “goodmans bay” cable beach..choppy deap water ..waves on the outer reef and we also have a spot call “goslow bend” the jewel in the Bahamian kite crown flat water with sick little kickers coming through.
It can be crowded at “goslow” if there is more than 5 riders out..if you cant do tricks on left side you have to stay out of the slick and stay down wind or way up wind..(local educate)
The average cost of a beer in a bar: $2.00
The average cost of a meal in a restaurant (no alcohol):$10.00 for a burger and frys..
$6-$8 for a conch salad
The average cost of a single/double hotel room per night:$75-$150
