Launch Sites

North Beach - map

This beach aka Corpus Christi Beach is located right in front of the U.S.S.Lexington historical Navy ship, take the first exit after Harbor Bridge towards Portland, TX. The water is deep and normally a little on the choppy side. A sandy beach provides an easy spot for launching and landing.

Launch Site: In S wind launch at the first exit. The rigging area is sandy and friendly for self launches. In NE wind launch at the North end of beach

Water Conditions: Expect small to waist high chop.

Best Wind: S, ESE and NE (side shore) are good winds.

Caution: During the summer months the beach can become crowded with tourists. Watch out for swimmers.

Wildcat (Portland) - map

Located in Portland, near Sunset Lake in Violet Andrews Park. Locals refer to this spot as "Wildcat" and it is one of the best spots in the Corpus Christi area especially for beginners. Because of its location in the bay it is normally the windiest spot during the prevalent SE winds. The shallow knee to waist deep sandy bottom makes it a great area for learning. A large sandbar creates flat water close to shore and makes fun knee high waves. This spot is kiter friendly and has showers, a grassy hill to launch off of, and a lunch pavilion to hang out and watch everyone ride.

Launch Site: There is a large grassy rigging and launching area. To enter the water walk to the left side and along the shore to get upwind easier. Beginners should walk away from shore and launch from there.

Water Conditions: Very shallow on the inside. Sometimes as shallow as a few inches from shore. Outside it's choppy with rolling swells farther out.

Best Wind: Because of its location in the bay it is normally the windiest spot during the prevalent SE winds.

Caution: Beginners should always wear booties because there are oyster shells close to shore. Prevalent SE winds are onshore so stay safe and give yourself plenty of distance from land.

Oleander Point (Cole Park) - map

Located just off Ocean Drive, this riding area has waist to overhead water. A difficult launch off of a steep hill and a lack of a safe area downwind means that it is only suitable for advanced riders.

Launch Site: There is a grass rigging area. Usually kiters do assisted launches off the bluff. A trail leads to the gravel beach below. For self launches, kiters can launch on the bluff then walk down the trail or launch from the beach.

Water Conditions: The water is waist-to-chest high for 75-100 yards over a sandy bottom. Expect small to waist high chop.

Best Wind: SE, ESE (side shore), E and N are great.

Caution: There is a pier located west of the park. Watch out for the lone palm tree on beach and debris in the gravel. Try to stay clear of windsurfers.

University Beach (NAS & A&M) - map

NAS or the University Beach located on Ocean Drive across from Texas A&M Corpus Christi. A small man-made beach area is surrounded by rock barriers. Launch off the sandy beach; walk out into the water and to the south side (towards the Naval Air Station) of the barriers. A sandy, knee to waist deep bottom is close to shore with deep water a short ways out. This spot works best during cold fronts that produce North, North East, or North West winds.

Launch Site: It is a small clean beach with loose sand.

Water Conditions: You will find small to waist high chop on the outside of jetties and smooth water on the inside.

Best Wind: E (side shore), SE, N, and NW are all good.

Caution: Rock jetties surround the beach with access openings to the bay. You must be able to take off quickly to avoid drifting onto the rocks. Space is very limited on the inside.

Overall: If you are still going downwind, it’s best to launch up by Naval Air Station and end your session here. The shoreline is rocky. It is best to have an assisted launch. The water is shallow near the shore, but deeper further
out with a sandy bottom.

Packery Channel - map

Packery Channel located on Upper Padre Island on the Laguna Madre, provides flat glassy riding conditions. Knee to waist deep with a sea grass bottom. Recently a channel was dredged connecting Packery Channel to the gulf. This has greatly increased the use of the channel for boats and created a hazard for kiteboarders. NEVER ride in the channel. There is plenty of room beyond the channel for riding. Booties are a must for this spot because of oyster shells. Always check with locals about where oyster reefs are located.

Launch Site: Most kiters launch in the grassy park. When you do launch, ride quickly across the boat channel.

Water conditions: Expect mostly shallow and smooth water.

Best Wind: SE is side shore but it is good in all directions except SW.

Caution: Watch out for channel markers when launching. Look out for watercraft traffic in the channel. At low tide, the water can be extremely shallow in some areas. The Beach can get slippery at the water edge and you might encounter an oyster bed on the far side. Booties are a good idea. The PVC sticks mark oyster beds. STAY CLEAR! There is an occasional fisherman around and we’ve seen trout lines, which are marked by a small buoy at each end.

Overall: It's safe if you are aware of the dangers. Packery is a favorite of the locals when wanting a flat-water session. It’s a short distance across but a perfect place to work on those jibes. We would not recommend this spot for the total beginner unless you have assistance.

Fish Pass - map

Located on Upper Padre Island, take the 2nd left off 361 N after Mustang Island State Park. Follow the dirt road 1.5 miles until you reach the bay. Some of the best flat water in Corpus Christi. A 4 wheel drive is a MUST depending on road conditions and after heavy rains it may be impossible to get to. You will find a huge riding area of incredibly flat water created by a sand bar. Works best on a NW wind. Knee to waist deep with a grassy bottom.

Launch Site: The rigging area contains packed grassy sand so bring a kite weight. Area is limited on high tide.

Water Conditions: The water is smooth and shallow, but on the outside of the sand bar it is choppy and deep.

Best Wind: NE (side shore), N, and NW are fun.

Caution: Watch out for the shallow areas. The bottom is slippery. There is an obstacle in the water that is marked.

Overall: It is an adventurous drive in, but it is worth it to grab a session.

Port Aransas - map

Take hwy 361 N until you reach Port Aransas; turn right at the first light. Continue until you reach the gulf, turn left, and drive along the beach past the pier until you reach the south jetty. This is the ultimate wave riding spot, when a cold front brings some strong NE winds. An easy beach launch with a long rock jetty provides butter flat water next to it, and nice rolling waves that get bigger the farther you get away from it. This is a favorite spot of many locals whenever a cold front moves through.

Launch Site: Between the pier and the jetty. Windsurfers usually are closer to the pier. Kiters stay closer to the jetty.

Water Conditions: The jetty blocks the current causing smooth water. The further south away from the jetty you go the surf increases in size. Expect anything from knee to head high surf.

Best Wind: During the winter months N-NE is perfect side shore but is also good in E-NE.

Caution: N wind is side-off so be sure you can stay upwind. Sometimes the water can get crowded with surfers close to the pier. Steer clear of the pier.

Overall: It’s a great place to learn to ride waves and downwinders.

JP Luby Park - map

Take the first beach exit off hwy 361 onto Zahn Road. JP is an ocean side riding spot located on the North side of Packery Channel. A rock jetty can make for some good waves during a strong SE wind. A large beach area is available for launching. Kiteboarders are encouraged to launch from the north side of the jetty and land north of mile marker 205; no launching is permitted south of mile marker 205. On the south side of the jetty, launch and land south of mile marker 212, as no launching or landing is permitted north of mile marker 212. Do not kiteboard in the swim zone from June-September. Launch off the beach, cross the swim zone carefully and stay at least 100 feet outside of the swim zone.

Launch Site: Launch on the downwind side of the pilings. At Bob Hall launch away form pier to avoid a wind shadow.

Water Conditions: The surf can run anywhere from knee to head high.

Best Wind: S (side on) and SE summer winds are great. During the winter N and NE is a good direction.

Caution: During the summer months the beach can become crowded with tourists. Watch out for swimmers. Occasionally the water may have a jellyfish or two. Do not fly your kite over or through beach goers. This is a popular spot for surfers, so be sure to stay clear.

Overall: The beach is a great place for down-winders especially when the surf is big. Be aware of the wind direction relative to the piers. The miles of sandy beach allow beginners to come ashore at any time. It is an easy walk back upwind. You can also drive on the beach. There is ample rigging room and the area is friendly for self-launches.

JFK Bridge - map

Located under the south side under the JFK Bridge. Drive East on JFK Causeway. Exit before going over the bridge.

Launch Site: Packed sand, changes with tide, limited rigging area. Can be muddy under water.

Water Conditions: Very smooth.

Best Wind: S, SSE, SE, and NW winds are good.

Caution: Shallow until beyond the group of islands. Underwater pilings about 200 yards NW of launch.

Overall: Great little spot, hidden from view with miles of flat water. Be careful of oyster beds.

Laguna Shores (Lola) - map

Great little spot located in Flour Bluff where Laguna Shores Rd. meets Lola Johnson Rd. Exit Laguna Shores Road just before you get the JFK causeway heading to the island.

Launch Site: 100 yard walk from parking area to launch site. Can be muddy after it rains. Plenty of rigging room on smooth dirt for 5 - 10 kites.

Water Conditions: Average depth is waist deep. Small chop to very smooth in the shallower areas. Underwater pilings approx 500 yards NE of launch.

Best Wind: S, SE, NE (Lola is one of the windier places in Corpus Christi)

Caution: Rough ground. Booties recommended. Not beginner friendly because of the onshore wind and downwind obstacles.

Overall: Steadiest wind in all of Corpus Christi.

Resource: www.kiteboarding.com, www.corpuschristikiteboarding.com