New Jersey · United States
Long Beach Island / The Danks, New Jersey (USA)
11.1kts
WNW · Wind season
Winter wind stacks up here—92 days a year of sessions, most playable in early morning before sea breeze kills it. Cold water, shifting sandbars, rip currents. Not pretty, but consistent.
- 11.1kts
- Average wind
- 93
- Windy days / year
- 13:00–16:00
- Peak wind hours
- WNW
- Primary direction
Location
- Nearest airports
- Airport - Philadelphia International, PA
- Coordinates
- 39.5705, -74.2392
Monthly wind profile (peak window)
Jan
39%
rideable
15.6 kts
Feb
32%
rideable
15.2 kts
Mar
45%
rideable
15.2 kts
Apr
38%
rideable
14.9 kts
May
18%
rideable
14.4 kts
Jun
22%
rideable
13.8 kts
Jul
10%
rideable
14.8 kts
Aug
11%
rideable
15.6 kts
Sep
18%
rideable
13.4 kts
Oct
21%
rideable
16.2 kts
Nov
28%
rideable
14.7 kts
Dec
23%
rideable
15.6 kts
Best wind directions
- WNW
- S
- NW
- W
- SSW
Water conditions
- Ocean
- Choppy
Best months
Hazards
- Strong rip currents and choppy ocean conditions typical of New Jersey coast
- Shallow sandbars and sudden depth changes requiring careful navigation
- Occasional boat traffic and fishing activity in the area
- Cold water temperatures, especially outside peak season months
What that means for you
- Strong current — walk back upwind, don't body-drag down
- Watch for moored boats and marked channels
- Stay well clear of fishing nets and lines (50 m+)
- Mind your fins and lines in standing-depth water
Amenities
- Beach access and parking near Long Beach Island
- Local restaurants and accommodations in nearby beach towns
- Equipment rental shops serving the Jersey Shore kitesurfing community
Local tips
The Danks area is popular with locals; check wind forecasts carefully as the 92.5 windy days/year are concentrated in winter/spring months. Arrive early to secure beach access and monitor tide changes, which significantly affect launch and riding conditions.
Launch & beach
Launch from the beach when winds favor westerly directions (WNW, W, NW) for cleaner conditions. Choppy ocean conditions require careful entry; scout the break for sandbars and current patterns before launching.
Local etiquette
Share the beach with swimmers and fishermen; keep a safe distance from populated swimming areas and respect right-of-way when other water sports are present. Follow local beach regulations and any designated kite zones.
What to wear
Wear a 4/3mm wetsuit during winter months (Jan-Apr) when water temps are cold; switch to 3/2mm in shoulder seasons. Water temperatures rarely exceed 65°F year-round in New Jersey.
What to pack
Kite sizes
- 14–17 mlight wind, under 14 kn
- 11–14 mtypical sessions, 14–22 kn
Boards
- Twintip — universal, bring one
- Hydrofoil — light-wind spot, rideable from ~10 kn
What to wear (by climate)
- In the water
- 3/2 mm full wetsuit.
- On land
- Hoody and jacket; long pants in the evening.
Derived from the spot's latitude (temperate zone) and current season.
Right of way & manners
- 1Rider entering the water has right of way over riders coming in.
- 2Upwind rider gives way — keep your kite high when passing downwind riders low.
- 3Starboard tack (right hand forward) has priority when crossing.
- 4Overtaking rider keeps clear of the slower rider's line.
- 5Wave riding: the rider on the wave owns it — don't drop in.
Spot guide
The Experience
Launch at The Danks and you're immediately reading sandbars and current lines. Westerly winds (WNW, W, NW) are essential—without them, conditions turn choppy fast. When the wind lines up, you get a workable window. When it doesn't, you're fighting chop and deciding if it's worth it.
Wind & Conditions
92.5 windy days annually, heaviest January through April. Average 11.1 knots means sessions happen, but don't expect screaming wind. Early mornings in winter deliver the steadiest WNW flow before afternoon sea breeze takes over. Check forecasts obsessively—conditions swing fast here.
Water & Hazards
Expect winter water cold enough to demand a good hood and gloves. Sandbars shift constantly with tide and storms, so scout your entry every session. Rip currents are real on this stretch of coast—don't fight them, work perpendicular or wait. Boat traffic and fishing activity pick up on weekends. Visibility is poor.
Who Should Go
Intermediate minimum. You need solid self-rescue skills and the ability to read a beach break in real time. Sloppy technique or poor judgment won't slide here. Locals come for the frequency, not the conditions.
Logistics
Beach parking and access are available. Nearby towns have rentals and food. It's a known spot—expect crowds on good forecast days. Tide swings matter; low tide exposes shallow sandbars, high tide shifts launch zones and current flow.
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