Kitesurfing, wing foiling and foiling at Hörnum

Hörnum sits on the southern tip of Sylt, and unlike in Westerland you go in on the Wadden side here, from a beach that faces east. An easterly is therefore onshore and north-east and south-east come in side-on, while a westerly blows offshore across the island, which makes Hörnum an option on days when the wind is offshore on the west coast. Kiting is allowed only around low tide, and because the Möwennest on this side is a sensitive breeding and resting area for birds, the national park authority asks you to keep at least 300 metres from the Hörnumer Nehrung, kite included. The live reading comes from Föhr, almost fifteen kilometres away across the mudflats, so treat it as a guide.

Kiting and winging are only allowed in Erlaubniszone Sylt Hörnum on the Wadden side, from three hours before to three hours after low tide. Source: NordSBefV.

Wind directions & safety

The open water at Hörnum faces E (92°). The safest wind directions to get on the water here are northeast, east and southeast (onshore or cross-onshore). With the wind from the north, south, southwest and northwest, it runs cross to cross-offshore: doable, but mind your position and don't go alone. With the wind from the west, it blows offshore and is dangerous: you'll be pushed off the beach onto open water (no-go).

On this page you'll find the live wind, the hourly forecast and a personal go/no-go for Hörnum, plus your ideal kite or wing size and (where available) a live beach webcam. Wind data: ICON-D2 via Open-Meteo.