Kiteboarding on Nantucket: Where to Ride and How to Get Started

On a windy day on Nantucket, it’s not unusual to look out across the harbor or shoreline and see colorful kites moving across the sky. Below them, kiteboarders carve across the water, catching the wind for everything from fast runs across the harbor to impressive jumps above the waves.

The sport becomes especially dramatic when Nantucket’s weather turns. During a recent nor’easter, strong winds brought kiteboarders out onto the water, creating the perfect opportunity to capture some of the action featured throughout this post.

Surrounded by water and exposed to winds from nearly every direction, Nantucket offers a variety of kiteboarding conditions throughout the year. Summer often brings southwest winds, while spring and fall can deliver stronger conditions as weather systems move through the island.

What Is Kiteboarding?

Kiteboarding, also commonly called kitesurfing, combines elements of surfing, wakeboarding and sailing. Riders stand on a board while controlling a large kite that uses the wind to pull them across the water.

Depending on the conditions and the rider’s experience, kiteboarding can range from cruising across relatively flat water to riding ocean waves or launching into the air.

For beginners, the sport usually starts with learning how to safely control the kite before progressing to the board. Professional instruction is highly recommended for anyone trying the sport for the first time.

Where to Kiteboard on Nantucket

Nantucket offers several popular kiteboarding locations, with the best spot depending on wind direction, water conditions and experience level.

•  Pocomo
Pocomo is one of the island’s most popular kiteboarding spots, especially with southwest winds. The protected harbor waters can offer great riding conditions, though the beach can become busy during the summer.

•  Coatue
Across Nantucket Harbor, Coatue offers protected water and sandbars that are popular with experienced riders. Access can be more limited, and riders should always be mindful of protected wildlife areas.

•  Jetties Beach
Jetties can work well when winds come from the north or northeast. Because it is also a popular swimming beach, riders should be especially aware of beach activity and seasonal conditions.

•  Cisco and the South Shore
Cisco and other South Shore beaches offer wave riding and more challenging ocean conditions. These areas are generally better suited to experienced kiteboarders.

•  Madaket and Tom Nevers
Madaket and Tom Nevers can also provide good kiteboarding conditions depending on the wind. Both are more exposed to the ocean, making them better suited to confident, experienced riders.

Learning to Kiteboard on Nantucket

For anyone interested in trying kiteboarding for the first time, professional instruction is the best place to start.

Nantucket has local schools offering lessons for beginners as well as coaching for more experienced riders looking to improve their skills.

KiteTucket

KiteTucket – Nantucket Kiteboarding School offers kiteboarding instruction for a range of experience levels.

Lessons focus on kite control, safety and board skills, with equipment available for students. Beginners can learn the fundamentals before progressing toward independent riding, while more experienced kiteboarders can continue developing their technique.

Next Level Watersports

Next Level Watersports offers private kiteboarding instruction on Nantucket for beginners through advanced riders.

Lessons are tailored to each rider’s experience and may include boat support and shallow-water instruction depending on conditions. In addition to kiteboarding, Next Level Watersports offers other activities including hydrofoiling, winging, wakeboarding and waterskiing.

When Is the Best Time to Kiteboard on Nantucket?

Kiteboarding conditions on Nantucket change throughout the year.

Summer often brings steady southwest winds, making Nantucket Harbor a popular area for riding. Spring and fall can bring stronger winds as larger weather systems move through the region.

Those stronger-weather days can also create some of the most dramatic kiteboarding scenes of the year. The recent nor’easter photographed for this post was a perfect example, with strong winds, changing skies and plenty of action on the water.

Kiteboarding Safely on Nantucket

Conditions, tides and beach access can change quickly, so riders should always be aware of their surroundings.

Kiteboarders should keep a safe distance from swimmers and other beach users, respect lifeguards and posted restrictions, and avoid protected wildlife areas. Seasonal shorebird nesting can also affect access to certain beaches.

Beginners should take professional lessons rather than trying to learn independently, while visiting riders should become familiar with Nantucket’s local conditions before heading onto the water.

Chasing the Wind on Nantucket

Part of what makes kiteboarding on Nantucket unique is that no two sessions are quite the same.

A steady summer breeze across Nantucket Harbor can create smooth, fast riding, while an autumn storm can transform the water into a landscape of wind, waves and spray.

Whether you’re watching from shore, photographing the action or ready to learn how to ride yourself, kiteboarding offers another way to experience Nantucket’s connection to the wind and water.

For more Nantucket stories visit our blog at Fisher Real Eastate.