The east coast of Florida has wide, open sandy beaches, prime waves, and tons of hidden gem spots to explore. You still have to know where to go, as Florida is a popular tourist destination. Many beaches are too small, too crowded, or too advanced. One popular kitesurfing destination worth visiting is Cheire Down Park in Cocoa Beach. There is ample parking, beach showers, restrooms, and plenty of space to set up and launch your kite.

Imagine a scenic grassy park with a pavilion, boardwalk along the beach, and lush foliage to separate the beach and park from the streets and city. The conditions here can range from beginner to advanced and are incredibly fun. If you are looking for a more beginner-friendly location, read our guide on Jetty Park. Just a short drive away, you'll find a similar beach with smaller waves, shallower water, and easier conditions. If you want better waves, Cherie Down Park is the spot.

This beach is best for intermediate riders who want big wave kickers or are interested in kitesurfing. It's prime for kite foil and wing foil, with quick access to deep water and moderate-size waves. If you are in Cocoa Beach on a northeast wind, the waves will be the smallest at Jetty Park, and they get better the further south you go.

Jetty Park won't be the best waves, but it's a perfect step up from Jetty Park, and the parking here is free. This is a fun and convenient location, but there are things you should know before kitesurfing here. This guide will share everything you need to know about kiteboarding here.

Just south of Jetty Park, you will find a clean, quiet public park along the ocean. A short drive from the Famous Cocoa Beach Pier and the tourist beaches, it is one of our favorite kiteboarding destinations.

Past the public park is a boardwalk that leads to a clean, wide, open sandy beach with ample space for setting up kites. You'll have access to beach showers, restrooms, and shady areas to relax in the park. The conditions here can vary from forgiving to advanced depending on the wind and the waves.

This is open ocean, and the sand bars can vary from year to year or month to month. Always check the surf forecast to see if it's worth going. If the water is flat, it will be an excellent day for beginner kiters to visit.

If the waves are cranking, consider your level and gear. We love this spot for the prime wave kickers and epic kitesurfing days. While this is not the cleanest wave spot in Cocoa, it is one of the most accessible for kitesurfers. You will encounter a few surfers here, and the launch is easy.

The best waves in the North wind will be closer to the satellite beach, but the beach is very small and crowded there.

Cherie Down Park can also have many beachgoers, but you can walk north or south to claim some beach. It's a bit extra work, but having a private beach for yourself is well worth the effort.

Side & Side On: Given the angle of the coast, avoid North winds here. The best wind is northeast, which will be side-on. South and southeast is also prime. You can ride north winds, but it is not recommended or fun. There will be too much turbulence, and there is a good chance that you will be swimming back in.

Onshore: East winds here are rideable and fun but challenging for beginners. The water here is deep, and the shorebreak can be large. An east wind will quickly push you back to the shore, especially on a big wave day. Consider your level and how crowded the beach is. If many people are on the beach, don't take chances. You don't want to be the person who drops their kite on someone sunbathing.

Offshore: Never ride in offshore winds. If there is any west, the wind will be gusty and push you out to sea. Sometimes, advanced kitesurfers ride a side-off wind to get clean waves. This is not the spot, and it's not recommended for beginners.

Side off wind is for experts who are willing to take the chance to swim back in dangerous conditions. You could lose your gear or worse if you risk it.

Local kitesurfers prefer Satellite Beach for the waves and smooth winds. You can drive there on a north wind for better wind and wave conditions. Be mindful that this is also a small beach with many beachgoers.

Take the A1A into Cocoa Beach until you hit the West Central Blvd exit. Take that to Ridgewood Ave and take a right. The park will be on your left and marked with a sign. You'll enter a medium-sized parking lot next to some condos and a quiet little park. There is room to park larger vehicles here, but you must arrive early to secure a spot.

Windy days will have fewer people on the beach, so it's usually easy to find parking. Don't bother coming here after 10 am during spring break. All the beaches fill up fast.

Always be respectful of the ocean and ride smart. This location can be beginner-friendly on light days or small swell days. The sand bars are irregular, and there can be rip currents. Assess the waves and decide if it's within your ability to ride on that particular day. Most days are best suited for beginners and intermediate riders. There will always be some chop and often small waves here.

Don't expect flat or shallow water here. However, with the right precautions and safety measures, your kitesurfing experience at Cherie Down Park will be safe and fun.

Kitesurfing Acess: The waves here can be fun for kitesurfing. Watch out for surfers and always give them the right of way. We have the advantage of the kite, which allows us to travel fast and find our own space. The waves can get big here, so keep an eye on the forecast if you're a wave frother.

Kitefoil Acess: The water here gets deep fast, making it a prime location for kite foiling. The chop is not an issue when you are on foil, and the smaller waves can be really fun. The advanced days are incredible but reserved for expert kite foilers.

Wing Surfing: This is a good location to learn wing foiling. Keep an eye on the wave conditions and come out when the ocean is calm. The chop can be challenging, but otherwise, the water depth is perfect to get out and start. As you progress, you'll find yourself coming back for the waves here. Note that there are far better locations to learn on the Banana River, like Kelly Park, where you'll get flat water and no waves.

This is a safe location, but the ocean always merits respect. Conditions can go from safe to dangerous quickly. Check surf and weather forecasts before going to make intelligent choices.

Don't ride if there are too many people on the beach. We are lucky to have no restrictions in Florida, and it's worth it to wait or find another location if the beaches get crowded as they do during spring break.

The waves here are usually small to medium and very manageable. Sometimes, there is only chop with little rolling waves.

Other times, the waves can get big, and it's your responsibility to decide whether to go. Big waves mean strong currents, and it's possible to rip your kite if the swell is big enough.

Don't take chances, and always ride within your abilities. It goes without saying, but never kite out further than you are willing or able to swim back in.

• Waves
• Shore break
• Rip Tides 
• Strong Ocean Currents.  
• Deep Water 
• Beach Goers 
• Avoid the Swim Areas. Keep our Kite Spots Open.

Elite Watersports has served the Tampa and St Petersburg area for years. They offer kiteboarding and wingsurfing lessons. They also have a retail shop equipt with the latest kitesurfing gear. This is hands down the best location to learn kitesurfing. We have shallow flat water and easy beginner conditions. Call today and reserve your spot for jet-ski-supported lessons. If the wind is blowing, we're going!

If you need help give us a call. .
(727)-800-2202