Kalmus Beach - Hyannis

This beach is the home to windsurfers in the Cape Cod area. With very consistent trade winds during spring and summer (15-20mph), and wild storm winds during hurricane season, Kalmus is wind paradise. Some of the locals told us that Kalmus Beach held the title for the 4th highest wind average in the US. Regardless, when we were there it was blowing 20mph. As far as kiting, this beach is not the best. The trades blow almost straight onshore and on any windy weekend there can be over a hundred windsurfers.


So why list this spot? Because I kited here on a windy Friday night and I had a lot of fun. If you are not a very capable kiteboarder who can stay upwind of windsurfers and can control his speed and direction of travel perfectly don't even think of kiteboarding at this beach. You will be lynched by the local windsurfers. West Dennis Beach is a much better beach at which to perfect your kiteboarding skills.
There is a public beach (Keyes Memorial) right up the coast from Kalmus. We also launched at this beach after the lifeguards left. The wind is more sideshore and you don't have to deal with the windsurfing traffic. Regardless of where you launch, don't kiteboard if you can't do it safely away from beachgoers and windsurfers - it is not worth the risk!


Directions: From US 6 use exit 6. Travel down SR 132. At the rotary exit onto Hyannis-Barnstable Rd. Turn right onto Main St. Make a quick left onto Ocean St. Before Ocean St. runs into the ocean turn left into the Kalmus Beach Park. Parking is $10/day.