Australia
Nicholson Point, near Denham in Shark Bay, is a popular spot for its shallow and flat water. Accessible in 45 to 60 minutes by car from Denham, via a partially paved track and then through the bush, it offers a wild setting with easy parking.
It is an ideal place for beginners practicing body drag and water starts, but also for experienced riders thanks to its vast space and mirror-like water at low tide. A kitesurfing school is based there, and the spot works in many wind directions.
The landscape is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site, with an authentic atmosphere and low traffic.
The wind data shown here comes from ERA5 (via Open-Meteo) over 4 years, reprocessed to reflect realistic conditions.
👉 Average wind has been calibrated to avoid the usual underestimation of models.
👉 Gusts have been corrected by a median ratio to avoid unrealistic extreme values.
👉 Each day is summarized by the median wind (P50) observed during useful hours (8am–8pm), then classified into wind ranges.
👉 The weighted mode mixes average wind and gusts to best reflect felt wind.
flatflatThe spot at Nicholson Point offers easy launching from the sandbar, especially at high tide where the water is flat and shallow. At low tide, the water becomes very shallow with a sandbar creating an ultra-flat area perfect for unhooking and freestyle, but you have to walk a long way from the parking.
The orientation is side-shore with winds from the west to southwest dominating, but it works with many directions due to its openness. The riding area is wide with little traffic, ideal for progression; drift launch recommended due to shells on the beach, avoid self-launch which can damage gear.
Beware of turbulence near the cliff and shade downwind around the parking. A school operates on-site, keep your distance. The shape of the bar changes with the tides, and the salty water twice as much as the ocean makes buoyancy excellent. Fishermen present, stay clear of them and watch the tides for gear left on the beach.
Ideal conditions with side-shore winds of 15 to 25 knots from W or SW for optimal flat water. Works wide but avoid too much onshore which creates chop.
The water is flat and shallow, with a sandy and grassy bottom. At low tide, it is very shallow for hundreds of meters, perfect for beginners but limits fast jibes.
Presence of rays, small sharks, and stingrays in the dark grassy areas, visible under the clear water.
Currents are generally weak in this hypersaline bay, but beware of tidal movements that influence the sandbar and depth. Watch the tide when taking gear out from the beach to avoid it getting stuck.
The bay is a sanctuary for wildlife, with dugongs and turtles, but no strong currents reported.
Opt for sizes 9 to 12 m² in moderate winds, smaller like 7-9 m² if strong, due to the shallow salty water boosting power.
The wind is consistent in the Shark Bay area, with dominant directions from W to SW in the main season. Regular strength beyond 15-20 knots, sometimes gusty near the lagoons but clean at Nicholson Point.
No specific local name, but reliable year-round with a current score of 93/100 and strong winds like the 244 kts reported recently, although that seems extreme – typically 15-25 knots for riding.
The climate around Denham is hot desert, with pleasant temperatures year-round. The months from January to December are all good for kitesurfing according to high scores, but the Australian winter (June-August) is cooler and more stable.
Daytime temperatures often between 25 and 35°C, cool nights in winter around 15°C. Little rain, almost permanently sunny.
The depth is very gradual with a sandy and grassy bottom, you can stand for hundreds of meters. Shallow everywhere, ideal for learning.
The water is warm year-round, around 22-28°C in summer (Dec-Mar) and 20-24°C in winter, with no need for a wetsuit most of the time.
