Marco Island FL

twostates · Since 28 Aug 2007 101 Posts pdx Stoked

Hey does anyone know much about southern FL? Headed there in early June, to the Miami area for a conference and then down to meet family here

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=marco+island+florida&hl=en&ll=25.958045,-81.628418&spn=0.413639,0.727158&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=46.36116,93.076172&hnear=Marco+Island,+Collier,+Florida&t=m&z=11

suggestions? advice?

beech · Since 21 Aug 2010 486 Posts Longview, WA Obsessed

for kiting info post up here: fksa.org

Wind is front-driven down there so nothing too consistent, esp in the summer. And most of the fronts I saw came with lightning. I went to the Clearwater-Tampa area last July.

Enjoy the beach and time with your fam, leave the kites at home. That's the advice I got from a Tampa local when I asked the same question last year.

BigR · Since 05 Jul 2005 372 Posts White Salmon Obsessed

you won't get any wind whatsoever.
that's also the start of the rainy season, which will drench
you in south florida.
the only thing you can possibly hope for is a West seabreeze
15 knts max between 2-4pm, so bring a 16M and a big
board, followed by torrential downpours starting around
4pm. thats for Marco. Miami you might get a little luckier with
an East seabreeze @ 15kts from 2-5pm with intermittent
showers all day long, sun/showers/sun/showers.

You will have fun in Miami as opposed to Marco, Marco is slow and
sleepy and Miami is fast and furious.

However, I would not count on kiting in Miami since most launches basically close
in June except for matheson hammocks and 16th st Miami beach, and MH is mangrove kiting with only a 100 yard zone to launch and land from.
(you gotta make it back or you walk back in waist deep mud for miles) not fun.

@ 16th st MB you will not find parking space nor place to launch with the overcrowding. Still, Miami is fun, if only to see what an alien civilization looks like.

In Marco goto Tigertail beach, the very north end is where kiting is permitted.
It Is a Truly AWESOME Beach!

And most importantly, when you drive between Marco and Miami, ALWAYS
take the Tamiami Trail, Also known as Highway 41, Calle Ocho, 8th St, etc,,, instead of I-75

Watch out for overzealous speed trap indian cops crossing the indian reservation!