Have kited quite a bit in the area and it has great potential. The wind is super reliable and there are some epic flat water set-ups.
Transport to Horn Island is easy, Qantaslink have daily flights out of Cairns but from then on though you can have a bit of a challenge. Charter flights between islands aren't cheap but if you organise a group to split costs it's OK. Boat support is very important as the currents in some areas of the Torres Straights can exceed 8 knots and close to the mainland there are things in the water that will eat you.
Actually, close to the mainland and around Thursday Island is not an area that I would recommend for unsupported or novice kiters but a properly set up resort out on Coconut could be a great thing, the wind really is amazing and its a tropical paradise....

If it gets similar wind to Nhulunbuy it would be pretty awesome.

Thank you for your feedback.

We are in the process of negotiating to purchase a 7.2 metre boat for use by resort guests for fishing and snorkelling. It is in survey for 7 passengers and 1 crew.

I think you are on a winner here.

It is becoming well known that the best wind in Australia outside the summer seabreeze season is the trade wind belt along the north queensland coast, and through to the hula coast of PNG.

Torres Straits are even windier than Lizard Island, which is already a pretty wind blown place.

There is a big market of kiters from the southern states that are starved for wind from April to September, the issue is finding blue water locations they can visit. Lizard is expensive and the camping facilities primitive. Cooktown is muddy coastal waters with crocs. Outer GBR locations are great but require liveaboard boat support. Poruma looks excellent in offering accommodation right at the location.

Regarding what flat water kiters are after, the ideal situation is a low flat island aligned perpendicular to the wind. Poruma itself isn't too bad, but the angle is not perfect and the island, if it has houses and trees on it, might make a bit too much turbulence.

However...looking at google earth, there is a very promising flat cay - island to the north east, just over 8km away (9 59.200'S 143 07.150'E). See pic below.




With boat support, this looks very promising!

Some info on the tidal range would also be useful for kiters; eg what tidal height does the reef flat become exposed?

Good luck with it. send me an email if you would like more info on setting up the ecotourism side of things....

andy@reefecotours.com www.reefecotours.com

Andy

^^ and an expansive selection and large supply of beer...

Thanks again for that info.

The island that neoniphon has identified on Google Earth is Yarr Parr. Yes it is very low with just one or two stands of pandanus palms which are handy for shade for lunch.

This is one of the best days or half days out from Poruma. There are plenty of crays and fish around this reef. In the Poruma video on the website there is some vision of Yarr Parr.

You can't take alcohol to the island however the resort has a licence for in-house guests.

How about the boat question? Is the Wahoo suitable or do you need the bigger boat?

this place is definitely on my holiday list!

Hey Poruma,

That's a great looking set up, reminds me of of a place we went in Tonga a couple years back.

If you get a boat set up it would be a serious contender for the vacation spot for kiters.

How are the lagoon's at low tide are they dry or still underwater? Kiters need around 1-2' as a minimum.