Kitesurfing in Xiuying Beach
Haikou - China
Spot Type
Chop
Water
Dark - Clear
Beach
Sand
Rider Level
intermediate
Spot characteristics
Spot Type
Chop
Rider Skill
intermediate
Crowd
Seasonal Crowd
Beach Type
Sand
Water Quality
Dark - Clear
Tide Influence
All tide levels with different conditions (chop - flat - wave)
Kitesurfing in Xiuying Beach: Conditions, Wind & Season
Xiuying Beach, also known as Xixiu Beach or Xixiu Beach Park, is one of the most accessible spots for kitesurfing in Haikou, on the north coast of Hainan Island, China. Located in Haikou's Xiuying District and only a short distance from the city centre, the beach combines an urban waterfront with enough open space for watersports. Unlike the more remote kite beaches found elsewhere on Hainan, Xiuying allows riders to stay in the city and reach the water easily, making it a practical option for anyone exploring kitesurfing in Hainan without giving up restaurants, hotels and other city amenities.
The most reliable conditions arrive with the northeast monsoon, which dominates the northern coast of Hainan from roughly November through March. During this period, Xiuying receives its most frequent rideable winds, with moderate to occasionally stronger breezes providing regular opportunities for freeride sessions. Conditions become less consistent during the warmer summer months, so winter is generally the best period for a dedicated kitesurfing trip to Haikou. The tropical climate also means that winter remains pleasantly warm compared with most northern-hemisphere kite destinations.
Water conditions at Xiuying are predominantly choppy, reflecting its exposed bay location and the influence of wind and tidal movement. Riders should not expect the butter-flat lagoons found at some tropical kite destinations; instead, the spot offers open-water freeride conditions with plenty of small ramps for jumping and bump-and-jump riding. The sandy bottom and broad riding area make the spot relatively accessible, although deeper water and persistent chop mean that completely independent riders will generally enjoy it more than absolute beginners.
The tide changes the character of the water but does not normally define the entire session in the way it does at shallow lagoon spots. Depending on wind strength and tidal movement, the surface can range from manageable small chop to considerably rougher conditions. Xiuying's proximity to Xiuying Harbor also means riders need to maintain good awareness of boats, other watersports users and changing wind conditions. Windsurfers, sailors and other recreational users regularly share the bay, so keeping clear of navigation routes and respecting local watersports zones is particularly important.
One of the main advantages of Xiuying is its infrastructure. The beach has a long history as a watersports and sailing area, with clubs and training activities operating along the waterfront. The sandy launch provides reasonable space for preparing equipment, while the surrounding city makes lessons, accommodation, food and transport considerably easier to organise than at isolated kite spots. The atmosphere is lively and functional rather than remote and tropical, with local riders, sailing students and other beach users contributing to the character of the spot.
Haikou itself is the capital and largest city of Hainan Province, making Xiuying particularly convenient for riders arriving through the island's northern gateway. Restaurants, shopping, accommodation and Haikou's historic areas are all within easy reach, while longer trips can be made to explore the tropical coastline and interior of Hainan. For riders searching for kitesurfing in Hainan or kite spots in southern China, Xiuying Beach offers an unusual combination of northeast monsoon wind, tropical winter temperatures and urban convenience, making it a useful base for combining a visit to Haikou with regular sessions on the water.
Xiuying Beach is best suited for
Spot profile
Travel spot
The typical kite travel destination, it is known for its great conditions, and kiters from around the world come here for their vacations.
Family spot
Located in an area that offers amenities for all the family and can provide good alternatives for everyone when the kiters are in the water.
Local spot
Maybe not be worth a real journey to reach this spot, but great if you live close by and it is a windy day. In the end, being out on the water feels great anywhere
Equipment
Most riders at Xiuying Beach generally use a standard freeride or bump-and-jump setup, with medium-size kites providing the most flexibility given typical wind strengths. Expect to ride primarily on a twin-tip, as the choppy conditions and moderate depth suit this board style best. Through the cooler November to March monsoon season, a light wetsuit or springsuit is suggested for comfort, while in the warm season boardshorts or a light rash guard should suffice. Booties are not considered essential but may be used for added comfort or protection at launch, depending on individual preference and surface feel near the water entry.
Wind Conditions
Main wind directions at Xiuying Beach
Windy days per month in Xiuying Beach
Wind Speed Range
From 12 to 24 Knots
Suggested sizes
8 - 9 mt
10 - 11 mt
12 - 13 mt
14 mt and above
Forecast on Windy.com
Kitesurfing Safety & Local Rules at Xiuying Beach
The main hazard at Xiuying Beach comes from its busy urban and harbour setting rather than from the beach itself. Kitesurfers share the water with sailing schools, windsurfers and small boats, while harbour traffic may pass close to the riding area or use nearby navigation channels. Maintain good visibility in every direction, keep well clear of boats and never assume that other water users are aware of your kite or lines.
Launching and landing also require attention because the waterfront can be shared with students, pedestrians and other beach users. Use the established kite and watersports areas where available, keep the launch zone clear and check current local regulations before setting up. Temporary restrictions or changes to access may occur during sporting events or other organised waterfront activities.
The water is generally deep and can become choppy as the wind increases, so riders should be comfortable with deep-water relaunch and self-rescue. Minor floating debris may occasionally appear following storms or periods of increased harbour activity. Overall, the biggest risks at Xiuying are traffic and congestion rather than natural obstacles, making good spatial awareness particularly important throughout the session.
Location
Closest City
Haikou
How to get There
Fly into Haikou Meilan International Airport, then continue by taxi, ride-hailing, or car to Xiuying District and the beach area near Xiuying Harbor. If already in Haikou, it is a straightforward city drive. It is also described as the first kiting stop on the north side of Hainan before going farther south by road.
Access
The spot is reported as publicly reachable and free to enter, with standard city beach access that does not require permission or payment. Launch and rigging areas are visible and accessible directly from the nearby roads, with some sections managed or influenced by local clubs or watersports organizations. While parking and walking are simple, any temporary club or event-based closures should be verified on arrival. Water access may be influenced by active club training sessions, so expect some flexible use of the main launch and riding area.
No-Wind Days: What to Do Around Xiuying Beach
Xiuying Beach is particularly convenient for a kitesurfing trip with non-kiters or family because you are never isolated from the rest of Haikou. Instead of staying at a remote kite camp, you can combine sessions on the water with restaurants, shopping, parks and sightseeing in Hainan's capital. When the wind disappears, getting from the beach to the city is straightforward, making Xiuying one of the easier places to mix kitesurfing in Hainan with a more conventional tropical city break.
One of the best places to start exploring is Haikou's historic Qilou district. The Qilou Old Street is known for its distinctive arcaded buildings, whose architecture reflects the trading links that connected Hainan with Southeast Asia during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Walking through the old streets reveals shops, cafés, traditional food and historic façades that feel very different from modern Haikou. It is an easy half-day excursion and a particularly good option if the weather is warm but the wind is too light for kiting.
For something completely different, head inland to the volcanic landscape surrounding Haikou. The Haikou volcanic field forms part of an extraordinary geological landscape created by repeated volcanic activity. Craters, lava formations and tropical vegetation provide a surprising contrast to the beaches, high-rise buildings and coconut palms of the coast. Exploring this side of northern Hainan is a good choice for a full no-wind day and gives visitors a much broader impression of the island than simply staying around the waterfront.
Back in the city, Haikou's parks and waterfront areas are ideal when you do not want a major excursion. Evergreen Park is one of the city's largest green spaces, with lawns, tropical vegetation and paths beside the coast, while the waterfront promenades provide plenty of room for walking, running or cycling. Around Xiuying itself, a calm evening can be as simple as walking along the beach and watching the sunset before heading back into Haikou for dinner.
Food is one of the best reasons to explore Haikou away from the kite beach. Hainanese cuisine makes extensive use of seafood, tropical produce and relatively light flavours, while local markets and smaller restaurants provide a much more interesting experience than limiting yourself to hotel dining. Hainanese chicken rice may be the island's most internationally recognised dish, but seafood, noodles, coconut-based dishes and local snacks make a food-focused evening in Haikou an easy activity for a non-kiting partner after a day at the beach.
Families have the advantage of being based in a genuine city rather than a dedicated watersports resort. Shopping centres, cinemas, parks, cafés and everyday services are all within easy reach, while the developed beachfront around Xiuying provides space for walking and relaxing even when nobody wants to get onto the water. This urban convenience also makes Xiuying practical at the beginning or end of a longer kitesurfing trip around Hainan, particularly for travellers arriving through Haikou before continuing towards more remote kite spots elsewhere on the island.
If you have a full day without wind, Haikou also works well as a base for exploring northern Hainan by car. Tropical countryside, villages, volcanic landscapes and quieter sections of coastline begin surprisingly close to the city, providing an easy escape from the urban environment without committing to a long journey towards the resorts of southern Hainan.
For anyone planning a kite trip to Hainan and wondering what else there is to do, Xiuying Beach offers something quite different from the island's more isolated riding locations. You can kite in the morning, explore historic Haikou in the afternoon and finish with local food in the city, while a completely windless day can be spent discovering northern Hainan's volcanic landscapes and tropical countryside. That combination of kitesurfing, sightseeing and activities for a non-kiting partner or family makes Xiuying particularly useful as the urban base of a wider Hainan kite holiday.
