Live wind
Water & wetsuit
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About this spot
Gwithian and the Hayle Towans form a long stretch of sand dunes and beach across St Ives Bay, facing north-west into the Atlantic. It is one of the UK's best-known wave-kiting spots: Atlantic swell wraps into the bay and breaks over sand, and the beach is long enough to spread out. Godrevy lighthouse marks the north-east end.
W, WSW and NW winds blow side-shore to side-onshore and are the working directions; N works too but is more onshore and messy. Southerly and easterly winds blow off the dunes — offshore and dangerous. The tidal range is large (around 5–6 m on springs): the beach changes dramatically, the Hayle estuary at the south-west end has very strong tidal currents, and rocks are exposed near Godrevy at low tide. Rip currents form between banks when the swell is up. Lifeguards patrol in summer and set zones for kiters.
Car parks and cafés are at Gwithian Towans and Hayle; schools and shops are nearby. This is a spot for intermediate-to-expert riders — in big swell and strong wind, experts only. The Atlantic water is cool year-round.
3-day forecast
Speed / gusts in knots. Colour = rideability for this spot. Bottom row = recommended kite size for your weight — not recommended outside this spot's 14–32 kn range.
Conditions
- Water
- waves, choppy
- Depth
- Shallow sand at low tide; depth changes strongly with the tide
- Seabed
- sand, rocks
- Skill
- intermediate, expert
- Beginners
- Not for beginners — intermediate and up
- Wind range
- 14 kn – 32 kn
Access & parking
Gwithian Towans or Hayle Towans, off the B3301 near Hayle.
Parking: Pay car parks at Gwithian Towans and Hayle Towans.
Amenities
- Lifeguards (summer)
- Cafés
- Kite & surf schools
- Car parks
Needs local verification: Details compiled from general sources and not yet confirmed by local riders — check launch, parking and current rules on site. No spot-specific webcam verified; links go to Windy's nearby cams and wind map.
Local hazards
- Large tidal range (~5–6 m)
- Strong currents at the Hayle estuary mouth
- Rip currents in swell
- Rocks near Godrevy at low tide
- S/E winds are offshore