Smathers is pretty much it for Key West unless you are highly motivated and willing to take on some extra, perhaps a lot of risk. Key West has only one designated launch, that is at the extreme west end of Smathers Beach. Perhaps Greg has something to offer on this. See what the Florida KB Guide has to say about rideable wind directions at:

http://fksa.org/showthread.php?t=2278

The Kitehouse runs regular sea taxi out to the Key Flats rideable in winds from all directions. This has been highlighted in articles for some years now. Pretty interesting write ups too, surprised you never saw them before. If you're going to drive all the way to KW, best to plan on time out in the Flats in all that butter, shallow warm water, no powerlines, smelly beach bottom, etc..

More at:

http://fksa.org/showthread.php?t=427
http://fksa.org/showthread.php?t=5358
http://fksa.org/showthread.php?t=4846



http://www.fksa.org/albums/album326/Flats.jpg

I've heard of some of the best places accessible by boat only, that goes for living here in Clearwater, fl on the gulf.

Thanks for the update. Woodson posted another thread about our trip down that maybe some people could offer some insight into. http://fksa.org/showthread.php?t=5710

Danny

Haaaa... I hate to say this, but we did this a few times...kind of around the time Paul and the guys went to Cuba. We even flew the kites over the road to "advertise" kiteboarding. Nobody new any better... Those were the days!!!

key west kiter
 

Sorry still dont remember and Paul , myself and a few of the other kiters were living together and riding together on a daily basis.When the guys came down to do the Cuba crossing there was one( iffy ) launch everyone did near Publix and Sears ,but it was never a common thing.Sounds like you are doing a great job up there at Whale harbour.

Greg Meintjes

thanks man...and no, it wasn't common...it sketched me out...but we had fun...we must have met if you were there at that time...I launched the guys off the beach (to Cuba)...bad with names, good with faces. Hope to see you soon-