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WindChaser

Hamilton Parish, Bermuda

Feb · 85% rideable

Shelly Bay

What it's actually like

Wopnin? That is how we say hello on the Rock, as locals call Bermuda, and it means "what's happening? At Shelly Bay, from November to April, the answer is usually wind.

This is a family park first and a wind spot second, and I would not change a thing about it. A curve of sand on the North Shore of Hamilton Parish, a park at one end with a playground and picnic tables, a boardwalk through a small nature reserve on the west side, and water so shallow and clear you watch the sand race by under your board.

The sea sits around 18 to 19°C from January to March and nearer 23°C in November.

Your month

When it's good

12 kt+ for 3+ daylight hours · kite

February · 85%. 24 rideable days in 28, 10.1 hours a day over 12 kt. Come.

At a glance

Is it for you?

Skill levelComfortable
WaterBit of chop
Wind · FebUsually turns up
Crowds · FebBusy patches
Local vibeWelcoming
Water qualityUsually clean
NightlifeA bar or two
CostMid

Geek analysis

February in the record

85% of days clear 12 kt for three daylight hours or more.

Where the wind sits

Share of daylight hours in each speed band. Blue clears the bar.

4–7
8–11
12–15
16–19
20–23
24–27
28–31

When in the day

The trades are a clock. A dawn session is a different spot.

February on the record

The month's own figures, not the year's average.

Rideable days24 of 28Worst 18 in 2008, best 27 in 2006
Strongest gust70 ktIn 2010
Air19.2°CMaximum
Record 1940 to 2026Normals 1995 to 2024Open-Meteo, ERA5

Take it with you

The full Shelly Bay report

Eight sections over six to eight pages, built from the same record as this page. A PDF you can read on the plane.

01Hour-by-hour & month-by-month wind02The month's own records03Full stays, schools & kit04Per-launch tide windows05Shallows, swimmers & winter fronts06Getting there, packing & best months07Sources, and their limits

Three free reports with an account, then premium.

When it gets busy

Crowds

Feb · Medium

Summer belongs to the swimmers and families, May to September. Winter brings the riders and fewer visitors, and December is the quietest month. The inside is small, so more than three kites up feels crowded.

On the water

What February usually does

Wind directionSW to WStraight onshore into the bay. Anything else brings wind shadows and gusts.
Wind strength13 to 17 ktDecember to March averages, from the Weather Service and the record. A mean, not a session wind: fronts blow harder.
When it blowsWith the frontsWinter fronts cross the island and bring the big days. Time your session to the front.

Your playground

Launches & safety

Local intel

Getting there & on the ground

Nearest airportL.F. Wade (BDA)About 9 km by road, across the Causeway.
On the groundNovember to AprilThe winter season, when fronts bring the wind.
Getting aroundBus, taxi or scooterNo conventional car hire, though visitors can rent electric cars. Buses 10 and 11 pass the bay on the North Shore.

Stay, schools & kit

Who works this beach

Graykite BermudaSchoolKiteKite school. Names Shelly Bay for North Shore sessions with advanced riders.
Island WindsSchoolKite · WindsurfPrivate and semi-private kite lessons, and windsurf lessons.
U Sail BermudaSchoolWindsurf · WingRYA centre on Harrington Sound and Castle Harbour.Photo: U Sail Castle Harbour at Rosewood Bermuda via Google
Did I miss something out?Send it straight to me. I wrote this page.