Continent
North America
Country
Florida (USA)
Next Big City
Miami
Next Town
Coral Gables
 
Type:
Ocean
Rider Ability:
Intermediate, Expert
Features:
School, Shower, Toilet, Food, Parking

Water

Type:
Shallow, Flat
Hazards:
Animals, Rocks
Quality:
Clean
Best Tide:
Coming tide, Falling tide

Perfectly flat. Summer time the low tide is very low but it is still ridable on the outside or in the shallows on the left side. Big shallow area, for about one mile out.

Beach

Type:
Rocks, Stones
Size:
Small
Hazards:
Rocks, Shells, Trees, Bystanders, Road, Cars
Beach Users:
January, February, March, April, May, November, December

Pebbles and rocks. When the tide is out the launching area is wider and softer. It is dangers to launch when it's NE onshore in high gusty winds especially in high tide in a limited space next to the parking lot, the trees and the rocks. Launch with everyone standing in the water.

Weather

Spring:
Shorts
Summer:
Shorts
Fall:
Shorts
Winter:
Shorty

Only winter time when the season is you might need a shorty wetsuit when the cold fronts are going through during the air might be the lower 60°F and water around 70°F.

Wind

Best Months:
January, February, March, April, May, November, December
Wind Type:
Thermal, Frontal
Best Direction:
ENE, E, ESE, SE, SSE
Main Direction:
NE, ENE, E, ESE, SE, SSE, S

In season after the cold fronts usually NE to E winds can be 20 to 25 knots. Best direction is SE but E and S will do it. Caution to launch in NE onshore wind. Summer time the wind is sideshore which is perfect but on the lighter side so need a big kite. The season is from October till May.



How to get there

Transport
Car, Boat
Access
Short walk

Miami Int. Airport to 836 West to 826 Palmetto to Sunset Drive East(72nd St). Left turn to Sunset Circle and first right turn to Old Cutler Road. At second light left turn to Matheson Hammock Park.

Extra information

Rules
Zones, Other

Similar to requirements for riding at Miami-Dade County's Crandon Beach Park, the County has asked that individuals wishing to kite at Matheson be certified to a minimum level of proficiency as outlined by IKO or PASA level 3 certification (or equivalent). Certification examinations will be readily available for a nominal $15 fee at Matheson Hammock by appointment or daily on a first to come basis. Riders that already posses level 3 certification will simply need to present their card at the ASM Matheson concession, review the rules, and sign a waiver of liability to receive their riding streamer. Early morning riding is still open to certified riders and a self service streamer check-out will be available in the a.m. during normal Park operating hours. Read the rules before you launch at the parking sign! Safety leash mandatory no loose kites if you activate the emergency! Don't occupy landing/launching area preventing others coming in or going out! It's illegal to drop your kite near the shore and onto others! So don't blame it on the wind! No jumping at all near the shore! No learning and beginners within the white buoys and shore! Beginners should walk out to the flag or north side of it to practice! No riding or any activity within the red buoys! No riding near the boat channel! Some severe accidents happened here, so avoid onshore NE conditions and launching from shore. Violators lines will be cut if ignoring the rules! Be aware local police man issues tickets with dogs and parking wrong!

Nightlife

Great nightlife in Miami Beach Lincoln Rd, South Beach and Coconut Groves.