KiteGlobeMarina Bay
Marina Bay is a kiteboarding spot near San Francisco in USA, with open ocean conditions and prevailing SW wind, best ridden in May, June, July, August, September.
| Country | USA |
|---|---|
| Region | California |
| Nearest town | San Francisco |
| Water type | Open ocean |
| Launch | Ocean |
| Best wind direction | SW |
| Wind type | Thermal, Frontal |
| Best months | May, June, July, August, September |
| Coordinates | 37.9083, -122.3507 |
About Marina Bay
Launch on the grass in the park and walk over the hill to either the South facing beach, the stairs, or the West-facing beach on marina side (best on very low tides or very South winds). Weekends can be crowded with local non-kiters and many kids. Please always give them right of way. Depending on the tides and wind direction, water starts can be a bit tricky, as your ability to get out in the water to start may be limited and starting requires sending the kite down over the rocks if going out on the South side. Once out on the water, you'll need to decide if you're heading upwind toward the ships and the channel or out and around Brooks Island to the left, as the area in front of the launch is in the wind shadow of Brooks Island, resulting in weaker and often turbulent winds. Left and south of the island offers strong, steady wind and some nice ramps and chop all the way toward the Albany Bulb and Berkeley. Upwind into the channel requires some effort to get to, but can reward you with smooth water behind the sandbar and breakwater. If you do kite upwind to the channel, please do not encroach on the protected Tern/sea bird nesting grounds at the west end of the sand spit/breakwater. There is a sign indicating the area asking for a 200’ clearance. The main body of Brooks Island is owned by EBRPD and they only allow access through request, so please do not walk on it for any reason as it could threaten access. There is a fence on the sandbar and access is allowed west of that fence IF needed for some reason. It cannot be used for launching and landing kites, other than emergency. Use caution for large freighters in the channel, they have right of way and are very limited in maneuverability as they are under tug control in the channel. If the fog comes rolling in, conditions can quickly become very gusty and turbulent so be aware. Also if you become overpowered, you may want to consider two other and safer landing options depending on where you are, rather than attempting to come in at the main beach launch. If you have been kiting upwind, you may want to consider coming in at the upper beach on the other side of the breakwater jetty as the beach is much larger, or if you are downwind there's an even larger beach at the east end after the rocks end. As with many locations, consider all the hazards and conditions and what your plan will be if you become overpowered or experience equipment failure. Please use good judgment here, as in all spots. It is truly an intermediate+ launch and definitely not for beginners.
When is the best time to kitesurf at Marina Bay?
The best time to kite Marina Bay is May, June, July, August, September, when the SW wind is most reliable.
What are the wind and water conditions?
Marina Bay offers open ocean conditions with SW wind (Thermal, Frontal wind), launching from ocean.
Hazards at Marina Bay
Currents, Ships, Rocks, Stones.
View Marina Bay on the interactive map →Other kite spots near Marina Bay
Spot data last updated 2026-07-20 · part of the KiteGlobe database of 6,633 kiteboarding spots.