Hayling Island
United Kingdom · Kitesurf · Windsurf · Wingfoil
About this spot
Hayling Island on England's south coast is regarded as the birthplace of windsurfing (patented in 1958) and is today one of the country's busiest kite spots too. Because it is an island, the beach works in almost any wind direction from east through south to west – a rarity on the south coast. The working winds are the Channel south-westerlies, westerlies and southerlies. Off West Beach the East Winner sandbar rises for four hours either side of low water, opening a huge, shallow lagoon more than a kilometre out to sea; south and south-west winds add fun jumping waves there.
When is the best time to visit Hayling Island? The season runs April to October. The best tidal window is low to mid water, when the sandbar exposes a shallow standing-depth area. At high water, windsurfers find flat water near Northney Marina or inside Langstone Harbour. Suitable for all levels.
Location
Insider tips
Aim for low to mid water at West Beach for the East Winner flat water. At high water, move to the sheltered spots near Northney Marina or inside Langstone Harbour. Be confident riding upwind because of the strong tidal streams.
⚠︎ Hazards
Tidal streams in the Solent are powerful: strong current runs across the front of the beach on both flood and ebb, and very strong north–south current runs west of the sandbar, driven by water flooding in and out of Langstone Harbour.
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