RoatanCamp Bay
The reef shelters Camp Bay from the open ocean, so the inside stays small-chop, deep enough to ride and clear of obstacles. Outside the reef the swell arrives as ocean rollers — bumps, waves and downwinders.
- 13.8kts
- Average wind
- 248
- Windy days / year
- 15:00–18:00
- Peak wind hours
- E
- Primary direction
Location
- Nearest airports
- Airport - Roatan
- Coordinates
- 16.4280, -86.2953
Monthly wind profile (peak window)
Jan
73%
rideable
16.1 kts
Feb
81%
rideable
15.8 kts
Mar
81%
rideable
15.9 kts
Apr
83%
rideable
17.5 kts
May
97%
rideable
17.4 kts
Jun
83%
rideable
17.9 kts
Jul
81%
rideable
16 kts
Aug
58%
rideable
14.7 kts
Sep
58%
rideable
14.4 kts
Oct
37%
rideable
14.5 kts
Nov
38%
rideable
15.9 kts
Dec
44%
rideable
14.8 kts
Best wind directions
- E
- ENE
- ESE
- NE
- NNE
Water conditions
- Ocean
- Flat Water
Best months
Hazards
- Shallow coral reef on the outside edge of the cove — easy to see in daylight, and it is what flattens the inside.
- Ocean swell and stronger wind beyond the reef line; treat the outside as an open-water session.
What that means for you
- Reef booties recommended at low tide
- Mind your fins and lines in standing-depth water
Amenities
- Kitesurfing schools and rental shops in Camp Bay area
- Beachfront resorts and accommodations nearby
- Local restaurants and bars catering to water sports tourists
- Equipment repair and maintenance services
Local tips
The year-round wind availability (247+ windy days) makes Roatan a reliable destination for progression. Check local tide schedules, as shallow areas can become exposed during low tide, limiting riding zones.
Launch & beach
Camp Bay's flat water and sandy beach areas provide ideal launching conditions for beginners. Wind typically arrives from the east and northeast, creating consistent offshore to side-onshore conditions.
Local etiquette
Respect local fishing boats and swimmers, staying in designated kite zones when available. Coordinate with other kiters in the crowded tourism season to avoid tangled lines.
What to wear
A 2-3mm wetsuit or rash guard is sufficient year-round due to warm Caribbean waters. Quick-dry clothing works best given the tropical climate and consistent conditions.
What to pack
Kite sizes
- 14–17 mlight wind, under 14 kn
- 11–14 mtypical sessions, 14–22 kn
Boards
- Twintip — universal, bring one
- Hydrofoil — light-wind spot, rideable from ~10 kn
What to wear (by climate)
- In the water
- Boardshorts or bikini with a rashguard or sun shirt.
- On land
- Light cotton; pack a rain jacket if the season overlaps rains.
Derived from the spot's latitude (tropical zone) and current season.
Right of way & manners
- 1Rider entering the water has right of way over riders coming in.
- 2Upwind rider gives way — keep your kite high when passing downwind riders low.
- 3Starboard tack (right hand forward) has priority when crossing.
- 4Overtaking rider keeps clear of the slower rider's line.
- 5Wave riding: the rider on the wave owns it — don't drop in.
Spot guide
The Experience
Camp Bay is the launch on Roatan's East End, and the reef does the work. It breaks the open ocean before it reaches the cove, so the inside stays small even when it is properly blowing. The reef is easy to pick out in daylight — it is the feature that makes the spot, not the thing to be afraid of. Inside it the water is deep enough to ride and clear of obstacles.
Wind & Conditions
247+ windy days a year is the draw. East to north-east pressure runs year-round, averaging around 13.8 knots and regularly into the high teens and low twenties. The peak window is mid-afternoon, roughly 15:00 to 18:00.
Inside and Outside
Two spots in one. Inside the reef is flat, forgiving water — the place to learn, to log hours, and to ride when you want the session easy. Outside the reef the same swell arrives as ocean rollers: bumps and waves worth foiling, and the launching point for downwinders along the coast.
Who It's For
Beginners under instruction do well on the inside, where the water is flat and the wind is reliable. Intermediates stacking hours get the same benefit. Foilers chasing swell and bump-and-jump have it waiting on the outside, which is a genuinely different session from the cove.
Practical
Warm water, good visibility. Wear water shoes — the coral is sharp and there are urchins near the shore. Treat anything beyond the reef line as an open-water session: more wind, more swell, and a longer way back.
Kitesurf Roatan — The school on Camp Bay. Their guide to foiling the East End covers what the wind does through the day and why Camp Bay and Paya Bay both come good in the afternoon.