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The outer harbor beach at Hyannis, where Kalmus faces Nantucket SoundSand and shallow water on the Hyannis outer harborDunes behind the Hyannis outer harbor beachA sailing regatta on Lewis Bay off Hyannis

Chapters / US East Coast Open, 1 of 1 remaining

Ride Kalmus, Cape Cod, keep it open

On summer afternoons the southwest sea breeze fills in across Nantucket Sound and Kalmus turns into Cape Cod's busiest kite and windsurf beach. Riders share it with swimmers, lifeguards and the Hyannis ferries, on rules that are mostly informal.

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4 riders call this homeKite, WingNantucket Sound

Everything you need to know about Kalmus, Cape Cod

Live conditions

Why riders love it

What brings people here, from the people who manage it and the people who ride it.

  • The best winds are south to southwest, with the prevailing summer southwesterly commonly at 15 to 20 knots. May through September is the main season.
  • The beach is large and sandy with room to launch. There is no shorebreak, and at low tide a waist-deep sandbar lets riders stand well out from shore.
  • The harbor side works in north winds, though in summer it fills with moored boats.

Sources: Kiteforum.com; AMC Boston Windsurfing Committee

See the wind right now
Sand and shallow water on the Hyannis outer harbor

Access and rules

Each site sets its own rules. The chapter publishes confirmed rules as each site answers in writing, and points riders to the official page before they go.

  • Riders report that in season kiting is only allowed after 4 p.m., and that the windsurf zone runs from the west end of Kalmus to the Hyannis Harbor channel markers.
  • Stay out of the marked lifeguard area in season, and stop well short of the ferry channel.
  • The Town of Barnstable does not publish kiteboarding rules for Kalmus. Lifeguards are on duty from late June, and parking fees are collected in season.

Sources: Kiteforum.com; AMC Boston Windsurfing Committee; Town of Barnstable beach regulations

Help hold the launch
Dunes behind the Hyannis outer harbor beach

Ecology and habitat

Stewardship rotates across the city's spots, so riders are known as the people who look after them.

  • Shorebird protection has shaped kite access on the Cape. Since 2017, Cape Cod National Seashore has barred kite surfing from March 15 to October 15 except on a short stretch in Eastham and at Duck Harbor in Wellfleet.
  • Seashore rules also keep kites at least 200 m from areas marked Closed – Bird Use and riders 150 ft from seals.

Sources: National Park Service, Cape Cod National Seashore

Fund stewardship here
A sailing regatta on Lewis Bay off Hyannis

Good to know

Location, facilities and history.

  • Kalmus Beach is at the end of Ocean Street in Hyannis, facing Nantucket Sound at the mouth of Hyannis Harbor.
  • From Route 6, take exit 6 (Route 132) into Hyannis, follow Barnstable Road onto Ocean Street, and turn left into the lot at the sharp right bend.
  • Seaweed tends to build up on the beach in August and September.
  • Kalmus is a staffed town beach with a bathhouse from Memorial Day weekend. Gates open at 9 a.m. and lock at 9 p.m.

Sources: AMC Boston Windsurfing Committee; Kiteforum.com; Town of Barnstable

Meet the riders
The outer harbor beach at Hyannis, where Kalmus faces Nantucket Sound

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Kalmus, Cape Cod

Summer southwesterlies commonly blow 15–20 knots from May through September.

Source: Kiteforum.com

Know the spot

Kalmus, Cape Cod

At low tide a sandbar leaves the water waist-deep well out from shore, with no shorebreak.

Source: AMC Boston Windsurfing Committee

Know the spot

Kalmus, Cape Cod

In season, riders report kiting is allowed after 4 p.m. once the swimmers thin out.

Source: Kiteforum.com

Know the spot

Why Kalmus, Cape Cod needs a chapter

The outer harbor beach at Hyannis, where Kalmus faces Nantucket Sound
US East Coast

Most summer afternoons a southwest sea breeze builds over Nantucket Sound and blows straight into Hyannis. Kalmus Beach has room to launch, no shorebreak and shallow water, which makes it the place many Cape Cod riders learn and ride.

4riders call this home
Kite, Wingdisciplines riding here

Kalmus, Cape Cod chapter, World Wind Sports

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Sand and shallow water on the Hyannis outer harbor
US East Coast

It is also a public town beach with lifeguards, swimmers and a busy ferry channel just offshore. Riders keep out of the swim area, keep a windsurf lane and hold off kiting until late afternoon in season, and most of that rests on habit rather than written rules. Elsewhere on the Cape, the National Seashore has already restricted kiting for most of the year.

4riders call this home
Kite, Wingdisciplines riding here

Kalmus, Cape Cod chapter, World Wind Sports

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Dunes behind the Hyannis outer harbor beach
US East Coast

A chapter gives Kalmus riders one voice with the Town of Barnstable, turns the informal rules into an agreement the town can point to, and keeps riders trained so the beach stays open to them.

4riders call this home
Kite, Wingdisciplines riding here

Kalmus, Cape Cod chapter, World Wind Sports

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The riders, schools and crew of Kalmus, Cape Cod

Riders from Hyannis, Barnstable, Centerville, Osterville, Cotuit, Marstons Mills, Yarmouth, West Yarmouth, South Yarmouth, Yarmouth Port, Dennis, West Dennis, Mashpee and the schools that teach them.

See the rider directory Talk on the board
WWSThe chapterHolds the line on access: one standing voice with whoever manages the launch.WWSThe chapterRuns stewardship days, so the people who manage the beach see riders as an asset.WWSThe chapterRuns sponsored certification weekends, so riders are trained and self-policing.WWSThe chapterHolds the line on access: one standing voice with whoever manages the launch.WWSThe chapterRuns stewardship days, so the people who manage the beach see riders as an asset.WWSThe chapterRuns sponsored certification weekends, so riders are trained and self-policing.
Jon DamonInstructor Level 1, DennisClark Delisle ClarkLevel 3L, West DennisAAaron Canter MrLevel 4V, South YarmouthGGerald PucilloCertified rider, DennisJon DamonInstructor Level 1, DennisClark Delisle ClarkLevel 3L, West DennisAAaron Canter MrLevel 4V, South YarmouthGGerald PucilloCertified rider, Dennis
iSportsKite, WingiWind spotNantucket SoundiKnow thisKalmus Beach, on the outer harbor of Hyannis in the Town of Barnstable, Massachusetts.iKnow thisSouthwest summer sea breeze, commonly 15 to 20 knots, with a waist-deep sandbar at low tide.iKnow thisIn season, riders report kiting is only allowed after 4 p.m., and the ferry channel is close by.iSportsKite, WingiWind spotNantucket SoundiKnow thisKalmus Beach, on the outer harbor of Hyannis in the Town of Barnstable, Massachusetts.iKnow thisSouthwest summer sea breeze, commonly 15 to 20 knots, with a waist-deep sandbar at low tide.iKnow thisIn season, riders report kiting is only allowed after 4 p.m., and the ferry channel is close by.

Live conditions

Wind right now at Kalmus, Cape Cod

Full forecast

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Your gift keeps the chapter running and the beach cared for: cleanup supplies, signage, certification weekends and the costs of being the group the park can call.

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