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Spot de Lake Nitinaht

Lake Nitinaht

Lake Nitinaht

Canada

48.81 | -124.68

Overview

Lake Nitinaht is a unique kite, wing and windsurfing sport. The name "Lake" is misleading, the body of water is actuallly a fijord and has a narrow opening to the Pacific Ocean. For this reason the lake has a minor tide and the water is slightly salty. 
Access to the lake is from the town of Duncan to Lake Cowichan, Youbou and then a one hour drive on a gravel road. CAUTION, watch for fast driving logging trucks, they always have the right away. It is recommended to have a full tank of fuel and a spare tire and the needed tools. There is no cell service and no road side assistance.
Accommodation, camping is the preferred way to stay at the lake.. It is considered "primitive" camping, only one water source, no showers, no electricity, primitive bathrooms (no flushable toilets). Since 2024 six nice and modern cabins with modern bathrooms have been constructed and can be rented. There is only limited amount of grocery available at the lake. Closest small grocery store, fuel and propane is in Youbou about a one hour drive one way. Lake Cowichan, about a 1.5 hour drive one way has a bigger grocery store and all other amenities.
Playing with the wind at Lake Nitinaht is a once in a lifetime experience. Amazing community, and an awesome kite  and wing school and shop, Elevation Kite and Wing Center, that carries everything you would ever need and does have the latest Duotone equipment available to rent. 

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Technical details of Lake Nitinaht spot

Required level

Beginner

Spot opening date

Open all year round

Lake Nitinaht is open all year, however, October through April it is very cold and rainy. May and June have about 15 to 20 windy days each month, July up to 30 days, August about 25 and September back down to 15 to 20 days of windy days.

Spot currently open :-)

Parking

Parking is at the campsite, walking thistance to the beach. Cost of camping in 2024 was $35 Canadian per night.

Hazards

There are no dangers in the water... however, the beach is narrow and rocky. It is strongly recommended to wear booties to avoid cutting once feet. It is also recommended to solicit local advice on how to launch a kite. The trees lining the beach are known to grab kites. Three or four kites end up in a tree every year. Fortunately Elevation Kite and Wing Center has a full line of Duotone Kites for sale.

Wind specificities

Lake Nitinaht has the most consistent wind in the summer, from June to September. The wind is a typical thermal wind with cold air at the coast while the interior warms up. If the temperature difference between Tofino at the coast and Port Alberti in the interior is 5 degrees Celsius or more, the wind will start blowing at about 10 am until sunset. Wind strength depends on the temperature difference from 15 to 30 knots. 
Best month is July and August when it is not unusual to have the thermal wind kick in every day for up to 30 days with no interruptions.

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Spot forecast for Lake Nitinaht

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Wind

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Temperature
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Visibility

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Forecasts provided by Open-Meteo

Live Wind

Currently, there is no weather station at this spot. If you want to change this, help us fund one: Weather Station Project