Where to Launch Your Kite in Corpus Christi
Laguna Madre RV Park
Rider Level: All levels
Water: Knee to waist deep,
Discipline: Twin tip, kite foil, surfboard, wingfoil
The Laguna Madre Wind Sports Launch at Laguna Madre RV Park offers convenient access to one of the best shallow water riding areas on the Texas coast. Located directly on the Laguna Madre, the site provides a comfortable and organized place for kiteboarders, wing foilers, and other wind sport enthusiasts to launch and ride.
This is also where all Kiteboard Academy lessons take place, making it a central hub for learning and progressing in the sport.
The park offers RV sites with water hookups, making it a great option for riders traveling with campers or vans. There is also a daily use launch fee for those who are not staying overnight.
The property is continuing to make improvements to the wind sports launch area, helping create a better space for rigging, launching, and enjoying time on the water. With easy access to the lagoon and wide shallow flats, it’s an ideal environment for both learning and experienced riders.
Oso Bay Kitesurf launch
Rider Level: All levels
Water: Shallow knee to waist deep, depending on the tide
Discipline: Twin tip.
Parking is on Ocean Dr. only. Do not use any nearby parking lots to access this launch. The launch area is small; be quick with your setup and take-down when other kiters are present. Wear booties at this location and stay alert for debris that might be just under the water's surface, depending on the tide. There can be some hidden obstacles at this location. Kite here when the wind blows south and north. Do not cross the road with kites in the air.
Tamu Beach
Rider Level: Advanced
Water: Chop/Swell Overhead just beyond break walls
Discipline: twin tip, Kite foil, Wing foil, surfboard
Experienced kiters only! This is deep water just beyond the break walls. This launch is best for kite or wing foil. On a south wind, this area is technically offshore. Parking is on Ocean Dr. only. Do not use any nearby parking lots to access this launch. Do not cross the road with kites in the air.
Oleander Point / Cole Park
Rider Level: Advanced
Water: Chop/Swell Overhead
Discipline: twin tip, Kite foil, Wing foil, surfboard.
Experienced riders only! This is more of a windsurf launch, given the steep entrance and exit to the water. Technically offshore on a south wind. This is a deep-water launch.
McGee Beach
Rider Level: Advanced
Water: Chop/Swell Overhead
Discipline: twin tip, Kite foil, Wing foil, surfboard.
Experienced riders only! Use this launch in the off-season months to avoid the beachgoers and swimmers. Deep water location. Watch for boat traffic at all times.
North Beach
Rider Level: Advanced
Water: Chop/Swell Overhead
Discipline: twin tip, Kite foil, Wing foil, surfboard
Experienced riders only! This launch is best when beachgoers and swimmers are not present. Stay clear of the Lexington to avoid wind shadows, ideal to kite a safe distance from shore.
Wildcat / Violet Andrews Park
Rider Level: Intermediate-Advanced
Water: Shallow near shore, beyond shore Chop/Swell Overhead
Discipline: twin tip, Kite foil, Wing foil, surfboard
This launch is in Portland. All of the launches in the Corpus area have their intricacies but this one especially. The launch is on a slope, and once the kite is launched, there is a significant walk around obstacles, fencing, rocks, and other kites entering and exiting the area. This is onshore on a south wind. Shallow water near shore, deep water the further from shore you go. Parking fills up quickly, and it can get busy with local wind sport enthusiasts.
Naval Air Station
We have not Kited here, but we have a friend who told us all about it and drew us a map.
Key:
Green: Tent campsites/Rigging Area
Blue: Beach/ Launch area
Orange: Typical Wind Direction
Purple: Riding Area
Yellow: Warning Line
Red: Do Not Cross
Rider Level: Advanced
Water: Mostly flat inside the jetty, choppy outside the jetty, knee to waist deep
Discipline: Twin tip, Kite foil
This spot is for kiters with DoD access or escorted by someone with access. Enter through the main gate. The spot is near the RV park on the base. Enter the main gate, continue all the way to the T, and turn right. Continue until you see trailers on your left, then head into the park and find the tent sites near the beach. If nobody is camping at the tent sites, you can rig at the tent camping area. Booties are recommended since the beach is filled with shells.
After launching, the main hazard to be aware of is the jetty, which is well marked with lights. Once inside the jetty, the water is very shallow, so a twintip is recommended. According to the base’s security services, kiting is permitted, but watch out for turtles and dolphins. The biggest upside to this spot is its unique status and the fact that there are usually no other people. A self-launch and landing device is recommended if going here alone.
Fish Pass
Rider Level: All levels
Water: Shallow knee to waist deep, depending on tide
Discipline: Twin tip
This is one of our top two favorite kite areas. Unfortunately, it only works on a north wind. We rarely see a North wind during the high season, April - July. Depending on the condition of the dirt road leading to this site, this launch is best suited for 4WD or high-clearance vehicles.
Packery Channel
Rider Level: Advanced
Water: Shallow, knee to waist deep
Discipline: twin tip, Kite foil, Wing foil, surfboard
Packery Channel on North Padre Island is a popular kiteboarding spot in the Corpus Christi area, situated between the Gulf of Mexico and the Laguna Madre. Most kiteboarders launch on the Laguna Madre side, where the waters are shallow and flat, making it ideal for experienced riders. It's important to be aware of potential boat traffic and strong currents in the nearby navigation channel. On the Gulf side, riders can access wave riding, but must share the space with surfers and beachgoers.
Access Rd 3
Rider Level: Intermediate - Advanced
Water: Chop/Swell Overhead just beyond break
Discipline: twin tip, Kite foil, Wing foil, surfboard
This launch area might be crowded with beachgoers during high season, April - May. Typically, there is less wind on the island beaches than in the interior kite launches in Corpus. This area is best for surfboard riders, but twin tippers and foilers can have fun too if you can get beyond the break with the mostly direct onshore wind.
North Jetty
Rider Level: Advanced
Water: Chop/Swell Overhead just beyond shore breaks
Discipline: twin tip, Kite foil, Wing foil, surfboard.
If beachgoers, swimmers, and surfers are present, launch/land and ride in areas that do not inhibit their activities. This riding area is best suited for surfboard riders but can also be good for twin-tip riders. If you can get past the shore break, kitesurfing and wing foiling are possible too.
South Jetty
Rider Level: Advanced
Water: Chop/Swell Overhead just beyond shore breaks
Discipline: twin tip, Kite foil, Wing foil, surfboard
If beachgoers, swimmers, and surfers are present, launch/land and ride in areas that do not inhibit their activities. This riding area is best suited for surfboard riders but can also be good for twin-tip riders. If you can get past the shore break, kitesurfing and wing foiling are possible too.
Bluffs Landing Marina Windsports Launch
Rider Level: All levels
Water: Shallow knee to waist deep, depending on tide
Discipline: Twin tip
Pay the launch use fee before setting up. The launch here is small, and the surface is crushed, recycled asphalt. Be cautious where you set up to avoid damaging your equipment. Be quick with your setup and takedown to leave room for other users. Do not park in front of the boat slips or in the kite launch area. You will want to wear booties at this site.
Brozil
Rider Level: Advanced
Water: Shallow knee to waist deep, depending on tide
Discipline: Twin tip.
To access this area, you'll need to launch from Bluffs wind sports launch and ride upwind to the entrance for about 10-17 minutes, depending on wind speed. It's best to have some easterly wind direction to fully explore this area once you're up there. We don't recommend going up here solo, just in case you have a breakdown. There are many obstacles in this area; stay clear of the old fencing and extremely shallow areas.
Bird Island
Windsurfers and Wingers only! Unfortunately, kiters are not permitted to ride here.
We hope you enjoy kiting in Corpus Christi. If you are looking to take a lesson to improve your skills, please contact us!