Nitinat Lake is an inlet and large lake on the southwestern coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.The southern end of the lake lies in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, which also includes Nitinat Hill on the lake's northern shore and Nitinat Cone on the southern shore.
Nitinat Lake is a wonderful, tidal, saltwater fjord, 23 km/15 mi in length and 1.2 km/0.14 mi wide. Nitinat Lake, also spelled Nitinaht, is considered as the jewel of Vancouver Island for kiteboarding. It is an ideal place, where kiteboarding can be practiced by both novices and experts kiteboarders.
The most appropriate time to exercise this amazing activity is around 11 am – 12 noon, when winds pick up. Lake’s water is crystal and its bottom is rocky. The peak season for kiteboarding is during summer months (May through Sept – July and Aug), as in this period you will find the best weather conditions with thermal winds blowing with 16 to 25 knots/30 – 46.3 kph speed. However, most days winds will be between 20 and 25 knots/37 to 46.3 kph. The wind’s best direction comes from southwest. The temperature ranges a lot during summer evenings.
Every year, in early August, Nitinat Lake hosts the long weekend and very popular Windfest. It is the most well-known kiting event in Vancouver Island and attracts many kiteboarding enthusiasts from USA and every corner of the earth. Given that it is the most amusing weekend on Vancouver Island, you should all get there and have the time of your life.
Nitinat Lake is really gorgeous and favored with great amenities. In the vicinity you will find camping areas, hotels, restaurants, showers, schools and rental shops. The best means of travel is by 4×4, since you will have to travel about an hour on gravel road, but you can make it with smaller cars as well.
We wholeheartedly recommend to visit this highly sought-after place and enjoy the best activity, with which body, mind and technical skills merge into one.
