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Crystal Beach Overview
The sensor is located on the roof of the Palmwood Hotel at Crystal Beach and has a clear view of the wind for 180 degrees from west through south to east. All other directions are in a wind shadow and are offshore. This sensor provides an accurate reading for Crystal Beach and is reasonably representative for all the nearby launches.
Sherkston Beach, Crystal Beach, Thunder Bay, Bertie Bay and Waverly Beach are all within ten minutes of Fort Erie. Investing in a map of the area is a good idea since the access roads are otherwise easily missed. Follow the QEW westbound out of Toronto and you'll be there in less than 90 minutes. Exit at Bertie Street and you'll pass a Becker's store to purchase your map.
The prevailing winds are from the southwest, but often you'll find consistent wind from the south or west as well. All are sandy beaches. Each launch can have significant shore break and undertow; Waves are, as always, dependant on wind and are two to four feet on a 15 knot day, with six- to eight-foot swells if you venture out far enough, in stronger winds.
Waverly Beach is at the end of Thompson Road and is very scenic and is ideal for a photo shoot, the City of Buffalo is right there in the back ground. The Parking is free and the park has a nice grassy area, the beach is sandy but the shore has partially submerged shoals as well as old piers. These obstacles are easily avoidable, and can add an element of fun for expert riders but be sure to ask a local sailor or rider to point them out. This spot is not for the meek.
Bertie Bay has some boulders, these obstacles are easily avoidable, but be sure to ask a local sailor or rider to point them out. Bertie Bay has a wind shadow which is not good for kitesurfing in the west corner of the bay.
Thunder Bay beach at the end of Bernard Road is the most popular spot for both beginners and experts. There is grassy rigging, plenty of parking, a port-o-potty (July and August) and a safe sandy beach. There are no obstacles in the water. The only drawbacks to this spot are the abundance of swimmers in July and August and when the wind is strong the shore break can be challenging. This spot is good for any southerly wind, with a small shadow on a west wind. There are usually upwards of 10 sailors/riders at this spot on any windy day.
Crystal Beach is crowded during the summer. Spring and fall is good there. Access thru the Bay Beach entrance.
Sherkston is for experts only! It has some of the best wave riding conditions on the lake and can be accessed at the end of Pleasant Beach Road, free parking a concession stand and a port-o-potty. This shore has two miles of coastline which for you “rippers” it can be torn up all day long. No shadow on a West wind.
For any wind with North in it head to the US side of the lake.
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Bertie bay is good for beginnersSherkston has severe shorebreak for experts only |
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Maps & Directions
Sherkston Beach, Thunder Bay, Bertie Bay and Waverly Beach are all within ten minutes of Fort Erie. Investing in a map of the area is a good idea since the access roads are otherwise easily missed. Follow the QEW westbound out of Toronto and you'll be there in less than 90 minutes. Exit at Bertie Street and you'll pass a Becker's store to purchase your map.
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Sensor Notes
Each launch is a mixture of flat rock and sand, with the exception of Sherkston and Thunder Bay which is all sand. Waverly Beach has partially submerged shoals as well as old piers. These obstacles are easily avoidable, but be sure to ask a local sailor to point them out. Although fewer, there are similar hazards at the other launches. Bertie Bay is the only exception. With its lack of hazards, Bertie Bay is ideal for beginners. The prevailing winds are from the southwest, but often you'll find consistent wind from the south or west as well. Lake Erie is a relatively shallow lake compared to the other Great Lakes and therefore warms up faster in the spring. Each launch can have significant shorebreak and undertow; Bertie Bay is the safest and Sherkston the most dangerous. Waves are, as always, dependant on wind and are two to four feet on a 5.0 day, with six- to eight-foot swells if you venture out far enough. In strong winds, Sherkston is for expert wave sailors only!
Recent reports indicate that the Bertie Bay site is not as well used anymore. Thunder Bay beach at the end of Bernard Road is the most popular spot for beginners to experts now. There is grassy rigging, plenty of parking, a
port-o-potty (July and August) and a safe sandy beach. There are no
obstacles in the water. The only drawbacks to this spot are the
abundance of swimmers in July and August and when the wind is strong the horebreak can be challenging. This spot is good for any southerly wind, with a small
shadow on a west wind. For anything with North in it we head to the upper Niagara River in Fort Erie. There are usually upwards of 10 sailors at this spot on any windy day
from May through November.
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