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Introduction Esperance is also known as the bay of isle which in itself is a self explanatory reason for its title. With many islands this can make site selection for kiting interesting due to wind shadow effects. Some beaches this can be very noticeable but on other beaches it's local experience that helps to keep from ending in a light wind zone.

How To Get Here If you need a road map you can download the town one here and the regional one here

Wind And Weather Most if not all kiting is done by locals from September through to March but December and January being the best wind months with a south easterly sea breeze but sometimes a south westerly caused by troughs. Not a great deal of kiting has been tried during winter as for being too cold and generally associated with cold front winds comes heavy rain and squalls. It is important to note that Esperance has been known to have four seasons in one day, with 34 degrees up till midday then dropping enough for a chill factor to thunderstorms by late evening. Always check the forecast before you go

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For further information regarding weather visit Esperance BOM

Look Out For Apart from seeing the odd shark (bronzies and hammerheads), there isn't much in the water to be concerned about. More important is keeping warm as if you’re not well insulated naturally then having a wet suit helps for kite sessions more than 2 hours long. Some beaches in town are popular with locals walking their dogs unleashed, so watch were you step and be aware dogs like to mark territory even if it's your kite not theirs.

Kiter Etiquette Normal kiting rules apply but its important to reiterate some of the rules here. The biggest rule is do not tail gate riders on the way out from the beach, not only this can be dangerous in large swell but very rude. All kiters must look before turning but in the instance of large waves turning can be survival and tailgating someone from behind makes you the problem so always keep your distance. The upwind rider always must place his kite high and down wind rider kite low on passing each other. Riders on waves coming in have preference but riders going down the line must respect the beach is for all to use and realize it's not realistic in some instances to expect everyone to give way. If your a tourist meeting up with locals for a down winder, its considered polite (but not expected) to have a few beers on offer after the down winder. (mmmm free beer!!!)

How To Use This Page The signs at the top of the page that say East Side, Town Area and West Side are buttons to click to go the other beach Info pages. For fast comprehensive information, use the Google map below and click the red tear drop markers. This action will popup a "comment box" with the beach name - click the link within the comment box to go to that beach for its information.

DISCLAIMER- The information provided about the individual beaches is based on knowledge at time of these articles having been written. It is vital to note that beaches change over time, that sand on the beach shift and so hidden rocks or reefs can become problematic and dangerous in certain circumstances - always check your rigging area and down wind area for dangers and always make sure you have a safe achievable exit point if a self rescue needs to be done. Kite surfing onshore and side offshore conditions is dangerous and is taken at your own risk. Know your limits and try to kite with a friend. We hope the beach info is of use and helps with having an enjoyable kite session in the shire of Esperance.

The main bay along the suburb of Castletown Quays can be kiteable in some conditions. Its located 2 to 3.5 km away from center of town depending on launch due to wind direction. There isn't any swell to ride waves but when the wind from a south easterly hits over 16 knots it’s become very very choppy and not recommended for kiting unless you have knees of rubber.

• SE = cross onshore - ok for all levels of kiting
• SSE = cross but more onshore – intermediate to advance riders
• ESE = cross shore – ok for all riders
• SW = cross onshore – not for the beginner to be learning in as very gusty coming off a land base but nice flat water – can be tricky though.
• WSW = Cross shore - not for the beginner to be learning in as very gusty coming off a land base but nice flat water – can be tricky though.
• Northerly and southerly = offshore and onshore – not recommended.

Westerly direction - Click image to enlarge

• Close to town center
• Two caravan parks located 800 meters away from both ends of beach.
• Shop close by
• flat water in a South Westerly wind
• Toilets close by
• Peanut gallery (tourist like to stop and watch)

• Dog beach
• Very choppy when wind is over 16 knots in a SE
• Can be crowded on some days with locals swimming
• Very dark water - might be uncomfortable for some.
• High tide - small launch zone.
• Pine trees and power lines, two to three kite line lengths from beach.
• Gusty SW winds

Easterly direction - Click image to enlarge

Forth mile beach is probably the best known beach on the internet for kite surfing locations in Esperance, ironically it’s not the best kite surfing beach in town for some conditions.. its located 7.7 to 9.7 km away from center of town depending on launch due to wind direction. The swell can be up to 4 meters high at times but good wave’s breaks are spread out and need to be chased down sometimes.

• SE = cross onshore – can feel crowded when wind is marginal.
• SSE = cross onshore – intermediate to advance riders as difficult to kite upwind against large swell.
• ESE = cross shore - suitable for all levels.
• SW = cross onshore – not for the beginner to be learning in.
• WSW = very gusty – advance riders should take care.
• N and S = offshore - onshore – not recommended.

• Up to 3 to 4 meter waves
• Close to town
• Large area for rigging kite
• Crystal clear water
• Toilets close by at twilight cove
• Peanut gallery (tourist and locals watch)
• Fishing salmon upto 2 kilos and 4 to 6 feet sharks

• Wind shadows created from island
• Dog beach
• Very choppy rips in sections – 5 or more kiters can feel crowded When trying to avoid them..
• Underwater rocks in shallows on low tide
• Sharkies – bronzies and hammerheads but occasional a great white will pass through.
• Swimmers and Surfers to avoid, that set up in front of the launch zone.

Easterly direction - Click image to enlarge

Westerly direction - Click image to enlarge

Observatory beach is located 14.8 km away from center of town. This beach is the local windsurfing’s beach of choice, the quality of waves are better in a south easterly due to it being slight offshore. The swell can be up to 4 meters high at times but due to being slight off shore there can be wind shadows that will punish the inexperienced and annoy the local windsurfers if you’re flailing about in the main break.

• SE = cross to cross offshore.
• SSE =cross shore – waves not as good but wind more steady.
• ESE = cross off shore. – dodgy winds but nice waves..
• SW = cross onshore – waves turn to muck – better to head to east side of coast.

Northerly direction - Click image to enlarge

• Nice clean waves
• Large area for rigging kite
• Fishing
• Crystal clear water
• Peanut gallery (tourist like to stop and watch)

• Wind shadows when cross offshore – ride all the way into the beach not half way.
• Local windsurfers so give respect to them and their spot.
• Reef on each side of break – could end in tears if having to self rescue.
• Long steep hike back up to car park from beach area.
• No amenities.