Miami - Matheson Hammock Park
United States
Miami
Matheson Hammock Park is a popular spot for kiters in Miami, Florida, on Biscayne Bay. It offers a flat and shallow water surface with a soft bottom, perfect for calm sessions. Locals appreciate it for its easy access and waist-deep water in wide areas.
The launch is from a small beach near the parking lot, with showers and restrooms on site. It is a well-equipped place for a full day of riding, in a setting protected from ocean waves.
Navigation takes place in a dedicated area, with rules for safety and instruction for beginners.
Les données de vent affichées ici proviennent d’ERA5 (via Open-Meteo) sur 4 ans, retraitées pour refléter des conditions réalistes.
👉 Le vent moyen a été calibré pour éviter la sous-estimation habituelle des modèles.
👉 Les rafales ont été corrigées par un ratio médian afin d’éviter des valeurs extrêmes irréalistes.
👉 Chaque jour est résumé par le vent médian (P50) observé pendant les heures utiles (8h–20h), puis classé dans des plages de vent.
👉 Le mode pondéré mélange vent moyen et rafales pour refléter au mieux le vent ressenti.
- 🟢 10–16 nds : vent faible mais navigable (notamment en foil).
- 🟡 16–22 nds : plage idéale, conditions confortables pour la majorité.
- 🔴 22–28 nds : vent fort, réservé aux riders expérimentés.
- 🟣 28+ nds : conditions extrêmes, navigation engagée.
Localisation & Points d'intérêt
Informations utiles
flatflatThe spot works well with winds from ENE, E, ESE, SE, and SSE, which are the recommended directions for kitesurfing. The best wind comes from SE, but E and S are also suitable, providing a perfect side-shore water surface in summer, although lighter. In season, after cold fronts, winds NE to E rise to 20-25 knots, but be cautious when launching in NE onshore which is risky.
The launch area is small and rocky, with pebbles and rocks nearby. At low tide, the launch area expands and becomes softer, but at high tide, space is limited near the parking lot, trees, and rocks. Everyone must get in the water to launch. The navigation area is wide and flat, with exclusion zones for kites and a buffer distance from the shore. Take-off occurs in shallow water, and the session takes place in waist-deep expanses.
Tides influence the water surface: rising or falling are ideal. In summer, light side-shore wind requires a large kite, while in winter sessions are more powerful but gusty in NE.
Ideal conditions are with wind SE to E at 15-25 knots, side-shore for a smooth water surface. Avoid NE onshore which can be too gusty.
The water surface is flat and shallow, with a soft bottom and waist-deep expanses. Few waves due to the bay's protection, but some chop possible with strong wind. Ideal for forgiving freeride.
Currents are generally weak in the protected bay. Tides influence the launch area, with low tide exposing more sand and high tide reducing the area. No strong currents reported, but caution is advised near rocky areas.
In winter season with strong winds, opt for sizes 9 to 11 m². In summer, with light side-shore wind, take 12 m² or more.
Winds are thermal and frontal. In season, after cold fronts, there are typically NE to E at 20-25 knots. Summer brings a lighter side-shore wind, perfect but requiring a large kite. Dominant directions are NE, ENE, E, ESE, SE, SSE, S.
The climate in Miami is subtropical, with pleasant temperatures year-round. The coolest months are from October to May, the main season for the spot, with days around 20-27°C. In summer, it gets hotter and more humid, up to 30°C or more.
La profondeur est progressive et faible, avec un fond souple. On a pied sur de larges zones à hauteur de taille, jusqu'à 50 yards à extrême basse mer.
Water temperatures range from 20-24°C in winter to 27-30°C in summer in Biscayne Bay.