I was at Castaway Island from 7-14 Sept 2024. The first 3 days it blew 30 knots day and night from the SE (this is the trade wind). It was a bit strong for my 10m Duotone Neo and surfboard (there are no waves at the island) but kiting was good on the southern side of the resort. Launch and landing were problematic with only a very narrow beach and beachgoers with children, and sometimes boats anchored just off the beach. It is definitely advisable to have someone to help launch and land. If you have a problem then there is an island down wind (Mana island) which you will end up at (many hours later).
In the afternoon of day 3 a storm blew through and it rained moderately heavily for half an hour and the wind stopped immediately and completely for 24hrs. A very light nor-westerly blew from day 5 - probably 8-10knots. I tried to get out with my 10 but the kite fell in the water and I had to get rescued. My wife alerted the activity centre that I was in trouble and they came and fetched me in their boat. They didn't charge me for the rescue.
Friends of mine were kiting 3-4 weeks ago off the coral coast and they had 20-30kt winds from the south east also, so it seems that this time of year is pretty good for kiting. One of that crew got bitten by a tiger shark who jumped out of the water and bit his arse (teeth marks lower back and upper hamstrings) while he was kiting. He managed to get back to the boat.
I saw a few kites in and around Castaway a few years ago too, it's good flat water in the massive lagoon, not sure what it's like outside the reef but looked very inviting. I only ended up going out on a catamaran as I didn't bring my gear.
Thanks for the report mate, much appreciated. That tiger shark story is insane, never heard of anyone getting bit whilst kiting esp since you tend to be faster than anything else out there in the ocean... until the wind drops that is lol.
