Kite spot · Hainan
Kitesurfing in Haikou, Hainan
Hainan's capital has three or four spots. Mostly choppy water, and a little cooler than the south.
When to go
Kiteable season: Oct–Apr
Haikou faces the Qiongzhou Strait to the north, so it works best in the north-east monsoon, from about September to March, typically 15–25 knots and stronger when a cold front passes. In January and February the air can drop to 16–21°C, so bring a shorty or thin wetsuit.
See the best time to kitesurf in Hainan.
Where to ride
- Holiday Beach (假日海滩): About 7 km of beach west of the city centre. Side-onshore wind from the north, small to medium waves. The PKRA kiteboarding world tour stopped here in 2012.
- Xixiu Beach (西秀海滩): Next to Holiday Beach, home of China's national sailing and windsurfing training base. Choppy water, better for riders who are already independent.
- Guilinyang (桂林洋): East of the city. A quieter small bay with waist-deep water, the best of Haikou's spots for beginners.
Conditions
Hainan's capital has three or four spots. The water is mostly choppy and it's a little cooler than the south of the island, so it suits riders who are already independent more than first-time learners.
Getting there
Haikou Meilan airport has the most flights to Hainan, and the high-speed train from Haikou to Bo'ao takes about an hour.
Lessons and trips
If you're flying in or out of Haikou, we can plan a session there around your travel.
Local tips
- Haikou is the easiest spot if you fly in or out of Haikou Meilan.
- Expect chop at the city beaches; learners are better off at Guilinyang or back in Bo'ao.